This travelogue is 3226 words long

Hunting for a rickshaw just prior to a journey has become a regular affair for me. This time too, it was nothing different! Finally after a 30 minute long hunt, I got a rickshaw and we (I and my dad), proceeded in it to Belapur Railway station. The station was not much crowded at that moment. I could get tickets quickly, and I was on Platform 1 of Belapur by about 0805. A Panvel bound EMU finally showed up around 0813. We reached Panvel at around 0830. It was raining a bit, and we got a bit wet as we ran to the Main line platforms. We had a look at the books available at the book stall. Just around then an announcement was made that the Madgaon bound Mandovi Express would arrive Panvel at 1230!

I had a look at the reservation charts, and found that there were a good number of passengers booked for Mandovi Express. I had a look at the reservation charts for my train, and our names appeared it in! I went to the waiting room, and relaxed for a few minutes. At around 0850, I went around to explore the station yard. It was raining slightly, and I decided not to go on the tracks, instead walked over the Foot over bridge. I saw Kalyan's WDG3A #13303 waiting to proceed towards JNPT with a long empty BLCA rake. A WCAG1 was waiting to proceed towards JNPT with a Container train. A twin Tuglakhabad WAG5 hauled tanker train was waiting to proceed towards Vasai. A twin Ludhiana WAG5 (# 23759 coupled to #23315) pulled in with another empty BLCA rake, this too bound to JNPT.

All the yards lines at PNVL were now occupied. There was absolutely no news about my train. Finally at around 0935, the arrival of my train was announced. The train was to arrive on Platform 3, and we walked over to the platform. The train finally showed up at 0956, behind WDM2 #16565 of Ernakulam. The loco was working Long Hood Forward. It was raining moderately, and I had to open my umbrella. There was, surprisingly, no body to alight from my coach at Panvel! The loco was refueled, and the loads of parcel were removed from the front SLR.

At around 1012, my train - 2618 Hazrat Nizamuddin - Ernakulam Mangala Lakshadweep Express - pulled out of the station. My coach was WGACCN #00148 (AS2). The windows at my seat was dirty and the view outside was hindered by condensation that formed on the inner side of the glass! The train slowly cleared the points and crawled on to the ROHA branch line. An unknown loco was waiting with a BCCN rake on the Karjat branch to enter into Panvel station. The loco has a very melodious horn. We crawled till Somatne home. We waited for about 5 minutes at Somatne home. We were later cleared to run through the main line of the station. Kalyan WDM2 #17608 was seen waiting on the UP loop line with a BCNA rake.

The run was smooth ahead, and we went uninterrupted! We slowed down at Nagothane home, and I was at the door in no time! The Ratnagiri - Dadar passenger was waiting on the platform line with WDM3A #18648R of Pune in brown livery. The train picked speed very soon after the crossing, and we literally charged down the main line. The train rushed through Roha at 1130. We crossed our pairing train there, and the loco in charge was WDM2 #16672 of Ernakulam. We stopped on the main line at Kolad for about 4 minutes for installation/activation of ACD. We left Kolad at 1149. The CR pilots were looking forward for a good drive ahead on KR territory!

The train slowed down as we approached Mangaon home. The train slowly entered the loop line, and we halted at 1204. The occupancy in the coach was poor, with most berths running vacant. About 45-50% was the load! Lunch was served at around 1230. Lunch consisted of Rice, Sambhar, A dish made of "Channa", Curd and Pickle. A Plasser machine rushed through the main line while I was stuffing my tummy! After my lunch, I took my umbrella and decided to walk around on the platform. A short talk between the coach attendant and a KR staffer revealed that the tracks ahead were flooded due to torrential rains!

At around 1320, an Erode WDG3A (#1446X) rushed past my train with a long BCNA rake. And finally at around 1330, the starter turned to "Attention", and the advanced turned "Clear". We crawled ahead towards Chiplun. We were once again loop lined at Veer (1350). I now decided to have a look at the loco, and walked forward with my umbrella. The station was located on the banks of a river, and the other bank of the river was a bit hilly. I could see rain clouds looming low over the hills, and water gushing down all cleaves! There was no sign of the starter turning favorable!

The assistant pilot's window was closed. Many passengers of the general coaches preferred to stay on the platform. I had a hot cup of coffee from the pantry and had a look around the station. The rains became heavier, and I decided to sit inside. The train finally pulled out at 1501, putting to end a 71 minute long wait! We ran through Karanjadi and Diwankhavati without halting. We were once again on the loop line at Khed. We pulled in at 1602, and left only at 1649. The starter at Khed turned to "Attention" at 1640. At around 1645, an announcement was made on the PA system asking the pilots to start the train. The run from Khed to Chiplun was smooth.

From my observation sitting inside the coach, it looked like the train was running at a much higher speed than the permitted 75kmph! We pulled into Chiplun at 1720, delayed by 3 hours and 52 minutes! The Mumbai bound Netravati Express was waiting for us at the station. The loco in charge of Netravati was WDM3A #18555 of Erode. I walked around the station, and looked out if the monsoon timetable of KR was available at the book stall. (It unfortunately wasn't!). The Netravati left at around 1730 or so. An announcement was made that my train would depart soon, and I jumped back into my coach.

The pilots went crazy and were continuously blowing the horn!!! An announcement was made on the PA system that our train is waiting for a crossing. Finally at around 1803, Erode WDG3A #13197 coupled to #13229 (of the same shed). Another (unidentified) WDG3A is turquoise livery was languishing at the Ratnagiri end of the station with a RoRo Rake. We had a nice run from Chiplun to Kamathe, covering about 10 kilometres in about 24 minutes! That is a speed of about 25kmph! We pulled into Kamathe at 1831. We crossed the KR6 Sawantwadi-Diva passenger here. (Couldn't notice the loco). The Passenger pulled out as soon as we stopped. The Mumbai bound Mandovi pulled in with an unknown WDP4 at around 1905. We were cleared at 1907.

We stopped once again - this time at Aravali road. The Nizamuddin bound Rajdhani express roared past, and all I heard was the roar of the EOGs! We left the station after the crossing at 1945. Dinner was served shortly after 2030. We had opted for Chapatti and Veg Curry. The train pulled into Ratnagiri, while we were having our dinner (at 2047) and left even before I finished my Dinner (2053). We were delayed by 5 hours and 38 minutes while leaving from Ratnagiri! We went to sleep shortly after the dinner.

I was woken up suddenly due to commotion inside the coach. We were then pulling into Madgaon, and the time was around 0220. We delayed by 5 hours and 50 minutes at Madgaon. A few passengers joined the train, and we left Madgaon at 0240, now with a delay of exactly 6 hours! I slept after Madgaon. I got up at around 0645 or so. I went to the toilet and finished the regular morning chores. We rushed through Surathkal at around 0700 or so. We stopped on the main line of Thokur at around 0722. It was raining slightly.

There were a good number of passengers on the platform, and a pointsman came out with his flag. The KR2 Mangalore-Verna Passenger showed up behind WDG3A #14658 of Kazipet! A dead Pune WDM2 (#17989) was coupled right behind the Kazipet loco. The Pune has suffered damages on its long hood due to a tree falling on it! The passenger train had about 11 coaches including 1 reserved coach. The coaches had the characteristic KR livery, but had a peculiar numbering system. We left Thokur at 0736. It started raining pretty well as we pulled out of Thokur. We entered into SR territory soon.

We pulled into Kankanadi at 0806. We were welcomed to Kankanadi by MU-ed WDM2 pair from Ernakulam (#17805 and #17859). Both were MU-ed LH to LH, and interestingly both were Jumbos! Just as I finished clicking the locos, I got a call from Bharat Moro (of IRFCA). We left Kankanadi at 0816, now with a delay of 5 hours and 36 minutes! We cleared points and entered the line towards Kasaragode. We slowly approached Netravati Bridge , and crossed over. At the end of the bridge, we have to cross over from the bridge line to the UP main line. The section ahead of the bridge is doubled up to Valapattanam (which is just before Kannur). Waiting for us to cross over at the end of the bridge was the Mangalore bound Maveli Express from Trivandrum !

The loco doing the honors on Maveli express was Flat faced WDM2 #17519 of Erode. The train was about 15 coaches long. We picked speed after the crossing, and it started raining a bit afterwards. We pulled into Kasaragode at 0902 instead of the scheduled arrival time at 0336! We left the station about 5 minutes later. Bharat Moro was traveling to Shoranur, and was onboard the Mangalore-Chennai Egmore express, which was about an hour ahead of us! The Mangalore-Coimbatore Fast passenger was also ahead of us.

I was at the door after Kasaragode to witness the progress of the doubling works ahead. The section from Kasaragode to Kotikulam was not doubled (since the old line was decommissioned for some works). The section is now opened. We ran across Pysavali (Chandragiri) River. We rushed through a halt station "Kalanad". Just while looking on the other side, I saw a signal at "Clear" aspect. I just reached my camera, when an unidentified Erode WDM2 rushed past with the Chennai-Mangalore Express. The train had a CBC rake! There is a tunnel just before Kotikulam, and the tunnel on the DN line had a marking "1901" on its entrance!

We rushed through Kotikulam, and we were really speeding. We halted briefly at a station "Pallikere", and just around then an unknown Ernakulam loco rushed past with the Malabar Express. We slowed down at Kanhangad home, and slowly entered the loop line. To main platform is on the main line itself, while trains have to cross the DN line to enter the loop line. The reason why we were taken to the loop was that the Mangalore-Coimbatore Fast Passenger was waiting on the Main line! We halted at the station at 0938, now late by 5 hours and 36 minutes. We were cleared first. We overtook the Fast passenger, which had Ernakulam WDM2 #17583 in charge. Interestingly, this loco had hauled the Mangala Express when I had last traveled in it (in February 2007). We slowly crossed over to the main line.

I was at the door, and was awestruck when I saw the Kannur-Mangalore passenger waiting for us at the Home signal! The loco in charge of the passenger was WDM2 #17581 of Erode! We had a beautiful run after Kanhangad. We had a short halt (Scheduled) at Nileshwar. The run ahead was marvelous. I mostly sat inside the coach. We reached Payyanur at 1009. The crowd on the Down platform meant that some down train is expected soon, and I stood at the door. We left Payyanur at 1011. We rushed through Ezhimala station. We crossed the Trivandrum-Mangalore Express shortly after the station. The loco in charge was Erode's WDM2 #17703.

We pulled into Payangadi at 1023. We left at 1024, just as the PA system was announcing the arrival of 2601 Mangalore mail from Chennai. I had my camera ready and trained towards the down line as my train slowly picked speed. The mail crossed us with Ernakulam WDM3A #16084R in charge. The train had about 22 coaches. In the meantime, I was in touch with Bharat Moro and Jimmy Jose over phone. We slowed down after Valapattanam River , and halted briefly at the station (for a reason which I would reveal soon!). We crawled out of the station, and the progress was really painful. Valapattanam-Kannur section is still single line, since the old line has been decommissioned, and is being "re-graded"! There is a peculiar halt station "Chirakkal" in between. The erstwhile DN line is at a higher altitude than the UP line, and hence the platforms are at two distinct levels!

The platform is located on a curve, and is a beautiful place to railfan!!! The station building did not have any staff, and the booking office was "locked" from outside! The train rushed ahead at a very good speed. At many places, the old tracks have been removed, and land has been leveled. Sadly, some such leveled sections have been washed down by the rains! We slowly approached Kannur station. As we neared the signaling cabin, I noticed a board "Token Territory Ahead" for down trains. I was left confused as the train slowly entered Platform 3. An unknown GOC diesel loco was waiting on the loop line, and the rakes of two passenger trains were parked back to back on Platform 2. The loco slowly approached the starter signal, and guess what - The Assistant dropped a Token containing "hoop" on the platform!!! We stopped at 1048.

We pulled out of Kannur at 1056, now delayed by 5 hours and 31 minutes. Ernakulam WDM2 #16885 was seen dozing off on Platform 1A. This loco would take the Ernakulam Intercity Express back home. My train picked speed by now. There were lots of caution orders and speed restrictions, but still the train managed a good show. We reached Thalassery at 1115, and left at 1117. We had a good run out of Thalassery. We crossed a Twin GOC hauled LPG Tanker rake at Mahe. The locos were WDG3A #14944 (leading, and now in GOC livery), and WDM2 #17619. Both the trains were at a good speed. We reached Vadakara at 1137, now delayed by 5 hours and 19 minutes.

Just as we were preparing to depart, the PA system announced that the Ernakulam-Kannur Intercity Express would be arriving shortly! I was ready at the door, and our train slowly pulled out. We crossed the intercity about a kilometre away from Vadakara station. The loco in charge was Ernakulam's Grand old lady WDM2 #18337. We had a brief halt at Quilandi Home. A twin Erode hauled BCNA was entering the Loop line. The locos were WDM2 #17436 MU-ed to #16479. We stopped at the station at 1205, and left about a minute later.

Our train's pantry car had run out of provisions, since the pantry was actually to close down the show in the morning itself. The provisions intended for the Down journey is picked up from Kozhikode . The Pantry staff came around and said that lunch would be loaded from Kozhikode (this is where their contractor is based). There was only two items on the menu for lunch - Veg Biriyani and Egg Biriyani! We opted for the Veg option.

We finally crawled into Kozhikode at 1228, now late by 5 hours and 18 minutes! Lunch was loaded here. I was very hungry by then, and opted to have something light from the vendors on the platform. The train pulled out at 1238. Lunch was served about 10 minutes after we left the station. The Biriyani was really tasty! We pulled into Ferok at 1253. We left a minute later. The train charged through Kadalundi Bridge . The river below ( Kadalundi River ) joins the sea just metres away from the bridge, and you can really see the waves of the sea from the Bridge. We slowed down as we approached Parapanangadi. The Coimbatore-Mangalore Fast Passenger was waiting at this station for us! The loco in charge was WDM2 #16674 of Ernakulam.

We left Parapanangadi at 1312, now about 5 hours and 12 minutes late. We rushed through Tanur, and made a halt at Tirur. We left Tirur at 1333, and then stopped at Kuttipuram at 1348. We left Kuttipuram at 1350. Just after Kuttipuram, we crossed our pairing train - the Nizamuddin bound 2617 Mangala Express. The loco in charge was WDM2 #18483 of Ernakulam. In the meanwhile, I was in touch with Bharat who was reaching Shoranur. We slowed down on approaching Pallipuram. The section from Pallipuram to Shoranur is single, and no stations (except Karakad) in between have a loop line! We reached Pattambi at 1411, and left at 1413. We crawled out of Pattambi, and slowly picked speed. We stopped at Karakad Home. It began raining then. We pulled into the station shortly after it started raining. Golden Rock WDM2 #18694R was waiting at the station for us with the Parasuram Express.

Parasuram express pulled out as we stopped. The rain stopped shortly after Parasuram Express pulled out. The wait for our starter was now getting longer! Soon, the Chennai Egmore-Mangalore Express pulled in with WDM3A #14124 of Erode. We left the station shortly after the express also pulled through. We had a brief halt at Shoranur home, and finally reached the station at 1503. Ernakulam WDM2 #16860 was waiting on Platform 5 to depart with the Chandigarh bound Kerala Sampark Kranti Express.

The Dhanbad/Tata - Alappuzha Express pulled in with Arakkonam WAM4 #21260 at around 1509. We left Shoranur at 1513. The train slowly glided out of the station. Erode WDM3D #11184 was seen shunting a mixed set of coaches in the yard as my train pulled out. We joined the main line, and the loco started notching up when I noticed a GOC loco with a tanker rake on the UP line. The loco was WDG3A #14670. We picked speed quickly after the crossing. I stood at the door as the train sped ahead. We crossed the Mumbai bound 1082 "Janatha" Express a while before Wadakkenchery. The loco in charge was WAP4 #22218. I went to the toilet to get fresh as my destination was fast approaching.

The train finally pulled into Thrisur at 1545, delayed exactly by 5 hours. We got down. I wanted to check if the new timetable was available and rushed to the book stall - only to get a negative response! We got out of the station and took an auto to the bus station and a bus to our final destination - Kodungallur, about 30-odd kilometres from the station. Here ends PART-1!

I am eager to know how you liked this report! Please send in your comments and suggestions (brick-bats also welcome) to binaiks [at] gmail [dot] com