Bihar Sampark Kranti - ECR Don ka ticket Confirm hona mushkil hi nahi, namumkin hai. - Somanko

The white stallion slowly made its way into PF-5 , as we walked through the coach position , wading through the crowd . HOG unfit , was written across the loco , anyway not a matter as it was a ICF rake . As usual an post office hour zip experience from auto to reach the station just before the train arrived from Mysore . Everytime I think of leaving on a holiday gets backfired , and some nervous moments for parents to ensure I leave office and reach station on time , atleast before train leaves

The...
more...

platform was as usual crowded for the fellow . On PF-4, a close to 2 hours late running 11014 from Coimbatore was waiting it's starter . 12627 was already shunted in PF-1 , 16526 in PF-3. The incoming loco of Rajya Rani was yet to be de-linked for the return as Chamundi express

The light was slowly fading as 12786 came to a halt . It's long I took this train out of Bangalore . Though my previous trip was in 2023, it was through Arasikere special from Yelahanka and had privilege of seeing him in Dharmavaram pull in with double alcos , as we waited our departure . And that was the last I saw him double headed . A month or so later while I waited at Frazer town stop for a bus back from office , a WAP-7 whined past indicating 12786 is not same yet

My eyes went towards the board . 1st time seeing the RSA board for the train - Mysore ---Kacheguda ---Manmad . The ICf coaches beamed in delight , but the maintainence wasn't as great as previous 176xx maintainence . Latch was displaced in the restroom door , and tap was loose in washbasin, with spider webs hanging around in few corners

At sharp 6PM we got the starter . A very low whine from WAP-7 , around 10 coaches away . We slowly pulled out , now PF-4 empty, indicating 11014 has got the starter ahead of us and we would have to trail him

A MEMU pulled into SBC just as we exited , should the the Jolarpet passenger . The start was a pretty slow start , and unscheduled halts . Dragged on all the way to Bangalore Cantt, taking almost 20 mins for the same , as a freight crossed us

Passed through the PF-1 of BNC, a slow trot past through the construction works happening . The famed arch on PF-2 line was razed and the gap between lines laid bare . A LHB rake occupied the main line , as the Golden chariot rake and another LHB occupied 2 of the terminal platforms . A ICF SWR rake occupied PF-2A

A slow movement and progress still continued , again coming to a halt after BNCE . A mEMU crossed us in meantime and a slow start later , we were again off

Entered into BYPL with a MEMU on PF-1 and an unknown train on PF-2 . Expected the train moving towards SMVT, but the loco pointing towards KJM end was a shocker. It was 11014 looped for us to take the lead

A quick pass through CSDR , with a CONCOR on main line and a LHB rake occupying the other end , with loco faced towards YNK. We quickly passed through Thanisandra and the runnover the National highway towards airport indicated our arrival into YNK. We slowly pulled into the double discharge PF-1 of YNK . It had taken us completely 1 hour to reach, after the slow run, as watch struck 7PM

Got clearance soon and exited . A WAP-7 went past on opposite side with the CBE bound 11013 . Pity the slack the train has in the SBC section, including the 1 hour halt at SBC in its onward section

The rampage started on the double line section. The stations of Doddaballapur, Gauribidanur were despatched quickly with a stop go pattern and we arrived on PF-2 of Hindupur , as the MEMU from SBC slept on PF-1 .

A quick run later , and a halt at Penukonda at 8:50PM meant we still had about 50 mins for the last 45 kms . We quickly left Penukonda and rattled our way past the darkness , jostling at the max speed

The washbasin innour part of the coach turned dry and crossed across the vestibule to S11 to wash , to find the tap broken and water in full flow . That water was quickly stopped by the catering crew by fixing the tap

The rides behind the green had now stopped and it was a red given for us , as we were crossing the boundary line ahead of schedule . An unscheduled halt at Nagasamudram for 7 mins , before we got the clearance again to proceed towards SCR . Feared for the hare vs the tortoise that 11014 would take lead , but he was yet to approach Penukonda

A quick run again, and we hopped into PF-1 of Dharmavaram at 9:35PM , a 5 mins BT and with a 10 mins halt , total halt being 15 mins . Got off to stretch my legs and went to the nearest stall for cup of milk .

Gulped it down slowly standing on the PF, not caring about the signal as Dad repeatedly checked the time . 15 mins is pretty long when a train halts and finally noticed the signal turning amber , boarded back . It took 2 mins more for train to depart as announcement went for the 16571 to Bidar to arrive on PF-1

Laid down the berths to sleep. The train was rattling with sounds from the wheels and sleep was completely disturbed .

Didn't realise when I slept . Woke up around 315AM and realised train had halted somewhere , for the crossing with one of the longies bound to Yeshvantapur. We were yet to reach Mahabubnagar

A quick stop yet again in next station for the Nagarsol Chennai express and we were again off . Woke up again around 505AM to see we were skipping Umdanagar . Skipped past a waiting MMTS and the suburbs of Hyderabad to come to halt over Music river for the Kacheguda Raichur MEMau to exit . Slowly pulled into PF-3 of KCG, as LHB rake of Murudeshwar express was being shunted into PF-4 giving us a parallel run . The rake was fresh one glittering in the early morning light . PF-2 was occupied by the YPR bound Vande Bharat, almost 80% full for the trip , as we reach destination just before the watch ticked 540AM

Thanks for reading !!

The compartment was completely dark , with lights switched off and berths laid . The coach rocked and swayed , as the train picked up speed. The late evening breeze of winter swayed through the air , the nostrils and ear lids and sent out a gentle tear. It wasn't the piercing cold winds of December , but a gentle pleasant breeze

The fans whirred around , trying to match the sound with the sound of the train. We were gearing to make up the time, we lost in the recent few...
more...

kilometres. A long distance biweekly , from a one state distant neighbour , but passing through all southern states and a union territory region , had made us pass through a loop line . Then a swanky new kid of the block made us wait on a mainline while he trotted in a loop behind the freight .

The 6000hp locomotive had ensured out 1st 88 kms were covered in 65 mins. The next 17 in 12 . And then the perils of the non doubled section started
Regular slowdowns , TSR and the next 100 kms seemed like ages . It had taken almost 1 hr 45 mins for 100 . And just before approaching , had a slow down for a long bridge across the Krishna , the water trickling around in the darkness in a single line across the wast plain .

The delay was close to 40 mins as we exited the next station , 181 kms from our source . And then gave a exit , that the next 50 kms were to be rocked apart, but then , the next curved , a double amber tore the darkness. It would be followed by a red soon , and quickly by another white !!!


The white crossed the red and accelerated past is, with the "75" biweekly to North West crossing the "85" moment . A quick start later , and we tore through the greens giving us company .

The moonlight night was beautiful from the dark confines of the coach. The moon wasn't visible but the light was sufficient to check the fields that bathed in them . The rocketing of the ICF coaches , the changing of the rails , a music to ears , but not enough to send me to sleep yet .

My mind raced back to the 85 journeys !!! It has been 7 years of travel by this , but still holds an emotional place . The name strikes a chord somewhere in the subconscious memory power . Had used it many times between 1990 till date , but infrequently, but an emotional attachment stayed . For it was the train that transferred me between the cities for 2 transfers at young age , and both cities now being dear to me .

The train isn't the same. There are no double headed chuggers hauling it , it is a single white stallion at the helm. It is in last stage of ICF days . The partial doubling ensured it isn't a late latif anymore . And more than nothing , it is running till Mysore and not terminating at Bangalore !!!

The clanking of the wheels bought me back to the present , as the loco light was seen at almost a right angle . A green , followed by a series of red lines up across and a single green in between them reminding me of " ik dulhan ke maathe ki Bindiya" !!! The lines spread across as Alampur road station was soon crossed by

Thadakathdeem thadakathdeem thadakatheem thakadatheem sound soon echoed as the Tungabhadra bridge was despatched soon and a main line entry followed into Kurnool Town , reminding me of the twin alcos chugging into this town , in 2019 !!! Yes it was 2019 and not 2017, my previous journey by this , declared myself proudly , as I proceeded to my MB for my sleep

85 proceeded in the moon lit night !!!!

Thanks for reading !!! Just a different attempt

Comments welcome !!

The traffic was scanty being a holiday and a relaxed cab travel, coming close to the railway station end marking end of the Holidays. Envying the BRTS taking the flyover , waiting for the day to take a journey by same , went past the route only to be stuck a kilometer before the station , courteousy the independence day celebration

After a lunch at Basaveshwara Khanavali, reached the station at 125PM , with a parallel run with a LHB rake of SWR, the 16533 Jodhpur Bangalore via Guntakal express . Settling...
more...

the cab driver , walked into the SWR HQ station , the rake of 12080 stationed on PF-2 covered by the Dharwad Bangalore Vande Bharat making a PF-1 entry , as I cursed the newbie for getting priority over the JS onto PF-1

Walked to PF-2 and settled down in the C2 coach, the last but one coach of the rake . Availablity revealed the train was 60% occupied , being a beginning of long weekend holiday . When people were planning to leave City, we are headed in opposite into the City

The VB quickly left and time ticked , as we waited for our schedule time. 16533 rake was sleeping on PF-3, having a scheduled departure behind us and having almost 40 mins to kill arriving ahead of schedule . It would be past midnight but not early morning when he would reach Bangalore. These long distance schedules are in need for a rewamp

The 11006 from Pondicherry to Dadar pulled into PF-1 at 1405 hrs and we too got the departure signal . Slowly pulled out , as the Chalukya rake ended , the terminal PF's showed of PF-6 and 7 showed up and PF-1 slowly extended into PF-8 , making it the longest platform . The rake of SC-UBL-DR was stationed on PF-8, not sure which rake it was working then

The initial runs were quite slow, a light drizzle in afternoon sun , and view of full trains as we approached the curves . The MPS didn't cross past 90 as the stations were dispatched soon .

A quick stop go at Haveri , a before time of 4 mins at Ranebennnur and I got into the PF for a quick stretch of legs with Dad. Both C1 and C2 seemed to be from consist of 12028 with Tamilnadu tourism ads behind all the seats . Bamban Bridge Rameshwaram was the highlight , as P got replaced by B . The line seemed to had a incline towards the PF, with the door failling to stay open A shrill whistle from the guard and we were back into the AC confines

A quick run again and across the Tungabhadra bridge for a halt at Harihara , followed by another quick halt at Davangere, 143 kms covered in 2 hrs 10 mins run , a slight before time . The AC in meanwhile showed it's full form and with unfilled occupancy , sent us into freezing mode

A quick departure from Davangere and we were back into full form now, speeds touching past 100. A flurry of Blue AC coaches indicated the Palace queen Humsafar bound to Udaipur crossing us equal speed . The line from Chitradurga joined us soon and we approached Chikkajajur and pulled out . The DCBA halt as started for us, an interesting one for this train

A quick cross with the Siddhaganga express bound to Dharwad . Soon we crossed the High sulphur diesel station (HSD- Hosadurga road ) . The sun and clouds played hide and seek , as we approached towards the hillly borderline , the clouds seemed to have opened up on the hills with the cloudline marked by a thick blanket extending over it .


The flyover over the line and a line from Shimoga joined us soon from right , indicating arrival into Birur junction at 545PM, delayed by few minutes . A quick run took us into Kadur where the Vasco bound 17309 was having scheduled halt. The Talaguppa bound superfast crossed us soon following the 17309


Time ticked soon and as we slowed down for next stop , approaching Arasikere . The scheduled crew change halt and a craving to have a light snack , approached the doorn, just to spot a vendor selling thatte idly . Collected 1 plate of thatte idly vade, increasing it to 2 & 3, just as dad approached from the other door to catch the 3rd plate filed with chutney . Idly was warn, chutney tasty and vade though cold was still crisp and not rubberish

A quick run past Tiptur, darkness sets in and flurry of lights and darkness indicates approaching stations and crossing . A few slow runs and pickups we arrive into PF-2 of Tumkur at 1940 hrs , as PF-1 is occupied by the 11021 Tirunelveli bound Chalukya cooling it's slack for an hour and waiting for us to take lead. God knows when they going to speed up this train involving multiple zone despatch and acceptances .

A blasting run and expected a slowdown at Chikkabanavara , but it was a glide through the station to reach the Yeshvantapur byepass at 2030 hours . Waiting for clearance, as a diesel hauled 16545 bound to Sindhanur accelerated past us , right to give us clearance to arrive into YPR PF-3 at 2035 hours , an exact 6 hrs 30 mins run for the 464 kms

PF-2 had the overcrowded rake of 11312 bound to Kalburagi , PF-1 with the 12257 bound to Kochuveli . The station was pretty bustling at the moment with continuous announcement. A ICF rake was pulled out from the pit between PF-3 & 4 towards SBC end . 16576 from MAJN pulled in giving a parallel run to the moving rake onto PF-4

12257 left quickly and followed by 11312 and we still waited . Thought we should leave sooner as 20653 will be leaving , but we were put on hold . PF-6 display showed 06545 BJP express and announcement went for 20653 arriving on PF-2 shortly , as clock ticked to 2105 hours

By luck would have had it, 20653 had a late departure and arrived into PF-2 at 2117 hours and we got the starter as soon as the loco crossed us , a 37 mins halt at YPR after a blasting line

A quick line on the opposite line of the twin single line , and annon stop run , puled into PF-10 of SBC, as announcement went for 16592 arriving onto PF-10 and 16511 to Kannur waiting for scheduled departure on PF-9

Thanks for reading

Can we continue the call for another 10 mins , asked the partner , as clock ticked to 5PM. Quick call sir , I have to leave and finish lunch as well . Very quickly the conclusion matters were discussed and closed as clock ticked to 510PM, with my mom calling continuously on WhatsApp whether I have started . 5 to 10 mins I messaged , as they were already half the way through

A quick booking through uber and a 3 mins wait and auto was already there . A quick...
more...

run through Saturday traffic to the back gate . 1st time understood that the ramp connected into the station from the new flyover , instead of taking a U turn as earlier and 30 mins of boarding the auto recahed the back gate of KSR SBC as mobile called from mom ,

We have already reached PF-10 with luggage , you have coffee and come . We have got dosa for your lunch my mom said . Had a coffee at the entrance watching the display board

12786 had already arrived on PF-5 . 16595 was not in display and neither on PF. A MEMU had arrived from YPR end was standing on PF-8, ready to leave as Hindupur MEMU . 16232 was still showing as Mayiladuthurai express in display board


Took the ramp to reach PF-10 while my aunt and uncle came in opposite . Hi they said . Why use ramp when you can use trolley ramp at PF end I asked. Ok we will come back in that post coffee I said and went to the PF

Here have set dosa , told my dad handing over a packet . Put it in plate and filled with sagu. A packet of pakoda was also taken. The dosa was pretty sour , but with saagu managed to finish 2 of the 3 as Hindupur MEMU left from PF-8. A DMU took its position soon, to leave shortly as Kolar DMU . 16595 and 16511 were reported cancelled , following the landslip in the ghat section


Rake of 22691 Rajdhani was standing in the pit , with the staff cleaning up and arranging the coach accessories to start the evening . A WDP4B pulled into PF-10 with the ICF rake of Channapatna Bangalore passenger , to leave as Arasikere passenger shortly . Left after 10 mins halt with coaches full to seating but not standees

Mysore bound Chamundi express soon left from PF-6 as clock ticket to 1820 hours . Soon announcement was made for the 16535 to enter and KJM WAP-7 bought in the train on dot 1825 hours onto PF-10. No trolling , no held ups today thought to myself as the LHB rake was pulled in

Boarded the B3 coach. For lower berth sake had booked 2 tickets under senior citizen quota and 4 under regular quota resulting in 3 LB, 1 SL, 1 MB and 1 UB

The cooling was perfect , slightly high and at 1835 hours we started on dot . The coach was slightly empty , with about 10 berths vacant in our coach as per chart . A slow run for 10 mins, and weslowly pulled into PF-3 of YPR as 22688 Varanasi Mysore express pulled out of PF-2 . PF-1 was occupied by the 16571 Bidar express , fully packed with the weekend crowd in the UR and SL full

A quick stop halt go , and we exited YPR and picked up pace pretty quickly . At YPR outer , the Dharwad Bangalore Vande Bharat whiZed past , as we gained speed, but I was sure that speed won't last long . The Hassan Solapur express 11312 quickly went past behind the Vande Bharat

The passenger ahead would get clearance ahead us , and as expected , we quickly came to unofficial halt at Doddbele for passenger to clear the halt ahead . The next 2 stops were trotted past quickly , before coming to a halt again at Nidvanda and Dobbspet for the pass ahead . The same repeated at Kyatsandra and right at Tumkur outer , the 12080 Jan shatabdi whizzed past us towards Bangalore

Puducherry bound 11021 Chalukya express was on PF-1, the general half filled and sleeper full . The Arasikere passenger was looped here for overtake on PF-4 as we were on PF-3 . Left soon after a 2 min halt

Time ticked close to 8PM and time for dinner , and confines of AC couldn't spot much activities outside. The dinner was served then had and the time by then had passed quickly. A quick stop go at Tiptur just as we finished dinner . The stream of lights across the tracks wass blocked by regular freights blasting past us, giving an impression of lights flickering rather than train crossing

A quick run and at 2110 hours arrived into PF-2 of ASK. The Chennai Central bound 12692 weekly from Shimoga was stationed here on PF-1 , delayed by about 2 hours . The sleeper was about 50% occupied but UR was sparsely full. Announcement was made for the Mangalore Vijayapura express , short originating from Hassan owing to the landslide

A long stop for crew change and we were off again . In meantime the UB was exchanged for another LB, leaving an odd MB for me to take for the night . The 16209 Ajmer Mysore express closely followed the Chennai express .

A quick run and we slowly pulled into Kadur main line after about 25 mins run . The Shimoga bound DMU from Tumkur was ahead of us and we waited for it to clear the block ahead . A couple who had to deboard at Birur and head off to Chikmaglur took it as an opportunity to get off at unscheduled halt. After 3 mins we left and arrived Birur junction where few more people got off the train

It was time for us to sleep and laid down the berths to sleep . The sleeper took over me quickly as I reminded mom, dad and aunt to keep alarm at 415AM for getting off at scheduled arrival of 440 at Badami .

Woke up in middle of the night to find us standing at a station. Hubbali junction indicated WIMT as announcement went on that 16535 was on PF-4. Time was 135AM, a 20 mins before time arrival and a sharp 7 hours run from Bangalore for the 470 kms . Turned and tossed in bed for some time as we got clearance to proceed at 210AM and sleep took over me as we crossed the Hubbali yard and curved left

A good sleep later woke up to see clock ticking to 415AM and about 10 kms to Hole Alur . Checked for crossing with 17320 and he had already reached Gadag .


Woke up my parents aunt asking them to get ready slowly . Hole alur was quickly crossed and sharp 440AM arrived at Badami station in a very dimly lit PF-2 . There were works happening all across PF and PF-2 exit was blocked , as all passenger made a jump across tracks to PF-1, while we went back to stair case to climb over to PF-1 and slowly moved out of station . The auto stand was also away from station owing to station works and we made our way to the sound of the gurgling autos with crew calling our "Banashankari" and "Badami bus stand " to the passengers , as our visit to the historical capital started


Thanks for reading. Feedbacks welcome !!