A full journey compilation on the 12934 Ahemdabad Mumbai Central Karnavati Express- one of India’s first Intercity Express trains to get the modern and luxurious LHB coaches. Continuing from where I left off previously, we had departed from Surat pf2 amidst mild showers. As my train accelerated through the mainline at Udhna Jn.; we saw the Ahemdabad bound Howrah-Ahemdabad Superfast express on pf1 looped for a scheduled halt. The rains had lashed out heavily all through Southern parts of Gujarat. There was not a single strip of land which wasn’t wet. As we moved southwards, stations like Amalsad were showing off their cleanliness post the rains. Pretty soon we crossed the Ahemdabad bound Shatabdi express led by a BRC WAP5. As we neared Valsad, we saw that the rains had subsided a bit.
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the non AC double decker coach in Valsad coach care centre was an added bonus. These coaches are presently exclusive to Western Railways, and can be seen in passenger trains operating between Valsad and Mumbai and also the legendary Flying Ranee express. After a 2min halt, we departed and the run was dull for the next 15 odd minutes. We crawled on top of the Par River near Atul. The rains had brought out all the silt in the river and it looked a chocolate wash-away. Then we proceeded on to our last commercial halt in Gujarat before entering Maharashtra- Vapi. The crowd in our D1 had lessened by about 30% at Vapi. Just before Bhilad outer, we negotiated a TSR and accelerated through the station.
As my coach reached the fag end of the platform, we spotted the Virar Surat shuttle entering pf1, led by a 25xxx series WAP4 from Vadodra (BRC) shed. The production pf this amazing locomotive entered the 25xxx series after the last WAP4 in the 22xxx series, namely the 22999; had been reached. With the advent of producing high speed locomotives, and increasing demand for high speed trains and rail connectivity, the CLW decided to stop the production of the WAP4; an era of dependency had ended in IR. 25051 was the last ever WAP4 produced, and it was allotted to Santragachi (SRC) shed.
After Bhilad, at Sanjan, we came to a dead halt; a deceleration from 100 to 0kmph in a matter of seconds. The reason for the halt was unknown, no chain pulling incidents were reported, and neither were the TTEs or RPF alerted. But the deceleration was so sudden and rapid one would assume it was a case of chainpulling, only difference was that it was not followed by the dot-dot-dash honk pattern as is the usual procedure. At Umargam rd station, we had a surprise waiting for us. Firozpur bound Janata express was departing after a scheduled halt from pf1, as we cruised through pf3. It was headed by BIA WAM4 21303, which is Bhilai based Railfan, Dr. Dhawal Mavani’s fav loco. Umargam rd was the last station in Gujarat before we crossed over the border to Maharashtra.
Immediately after entering Maharashtra, we crossed the Yeshvantpur-Bikaner bi-weekly express led by a KJM WDM3A. Following this, we crossed the wet coastal plains of Maharashtra. As we neared Boisar, the Porbandar bound Saurashtra express crossed us led by a BRC WAP4. Following this, popular RF spots Umroli and Kelve rd were crossed with ease. As we neared Vaitarna, we could feel the first vibes of Aamchi Mumbai, as we spotted a Virar Dahanu rd bound local. Post Vaitarna it was a merry run till Mumbai Central, with locals giving us company all the way. Vasai creek was a beauty to spot in the monsoon season. Our lone express train spotting post Virar was the Bandra-Chandigarh bi-weekly Superfast pulling out of BDTS led by an LDH WDM3A, surprisingly we didn’t spot the Paschim express that day, which was supposed to leave ahead of the Chandigarh express. Spotting Virar and Kandivali EMU car sheds, a small race with CR locals at Dadar; and lastly pulling into Mumbai Central bang on time, despite leaving late @ ADI and trailing the Indore Duronto post Vadodra; all in all, it was a good experience on-board the Karnavati express, but I would not recommend it’s 2S for on board RF, trying the ACC might give a better experience.
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