Steel Express. Favourite for a reason. As you all know I have been travelling by Steel Express for the last 26+ years. I witnessed it's transformation whether it's the rake type or the coach composition or the loco link. Had travelled in all its classes, tasted each item of the pantry/services all being good and enjoyed everytime onboard Steel but nothing like today. As block continues in CKP division (ROU JSG) all trains passing SECR and SER are running heavily delayed. 12101 Jnaneswari led by ET WAP 7 37054 which was to arrive and depart TATA last night departed 15 minutes before Steel today morning. Azad Hind led by ET WAP 4 22875 arrived TATA at 06:10 today morning but Steel was given the starter at its scheduled time 06:15 hours. Best thing was Steel got its main link TATA WAP 7 37029, after a long time, with HOG on. I...
more... knew today there will be smooth acceleration and no power problems. Jnaneswari was before us still we were not trolled by it as Steel have stoppages and reached Kharagpur before time. Steel departed Kharagpur on time having Jnaneswari and Shiromani ahead of it. As Steel have full priority in its route some fierce action was expected and after KGP it began. First up, just before Uluberia Steel caught up with Jnaneswari. Steel was on Down main. Jnaneswari was on Mid reverse but Jnaneswari accelerated only to regain its lead for few minutes. Just before Bauria, Jnaneswari was held up and Steel OTed Jnaneswari at MPS. Then Steel was taken up in the reversible line and OTed two EMUs back to back which were on the down line. Finally before DasNagar Steel OTed Shiromani Passenger which was led by SRC WAP 7 30687. Steel arrived Howrah at 10:40 hours delayed only by 15 minutes.
Then came Shiromani at 18 at 11:05.
Jnaneswari was made to wait at the outer for 35 minutes and finally arrived at PF 22.
I really enjoyed today's trip.
Some pictures of today's trip and action.
Picture 1 :- The Power (dedicated you may say) of Steel Express *TATA WAP 7 37029* at TATA PF 1.
Picture 2 :- Large TB of Steel.
Picture 3 :- Coach Display at TATA PF 1 showing Steel's number.
Picture 4 :- Brand new *SRC WAP 7 37139* at KGP.
Picture 5 :- Vegetable Burger available with the pantry service guys of Steel. Rate ₹ 40. Very tasty and filling.
Picture 6 :- Jnaneswari being OTed before BVA.
Picture 7 :- Large SB of DGHA Super AC at HWH PF 23. Power of Super AC for today is *SRC WAP 7 37106*.
Picture 8,9 and 10 :- Power of the heavily late running Jnaneswari *ET WAP 7 37054* at HWH PF 22.
Picture 11 and 12 :- *AQ WAG 9H 31095* and failed *HWH WAP 7 30369* with Kalka Mail at HWH PF 17.