Hi to all,
I never miss an opportunity to get aboard a train and since this time it
was a question of travelling across 5 states - Chhattisgarh, Orissa, WB,
Bihar & Jharkhand, it was a thrilling prospect for me as a rail fan.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
PART I: 3287 South Bihar Exp (Raipur(R)-Patna Jn (PNBE)), Date: 24-25
Jan 2010, Distance - 1083 Km
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The first leg of my journey started on board 3287 Durg-Danapur South
Bihar Exp from Raipur-Patna. This train is only part of a couple that
operates between Raipur-Bihar. And since it is a super-crawler, I
thought it would be fun, considering that it was my 1st trip towards
JSG-ROU-TATA-ADRA.
I reached Raipur stn. At 06.45, an hour before the scheduled arrival of
3287 from Durg. Bought Sambhar-Vada from Celebrations restaurant at
station at 25/plate (2 Vadas+Sambhar+Coconut Chutney). 3287 arrived as
scheduled behind WAM4 BIA #20435.This train surprisingly has a lone 3A
coach along with 4 2A coaches (2 AB, 2 pure A). I was in AB1 - for which
I was happy as that would mean wider windows as compared to regular 2As.
The coach was a 2006 make and had modern facilities like Eye-socket type
reading lamp, compact and classy sanitary fittings and seat-tables that
retracted inside the window wall.
The train left bang on time at 07.55. The WAM4 did a fine job with the
load of 21 coaches. At Bhatapara(A: 08.58), we met 2810 HWH-CSTM Mail
led by SRC P4 #22742 which was 55 min behind schedule. Some fine running
took us to Bilaspur at 09.51, delayed by 6 min. We left BSP at sharp
10.00. While leaving, I noticed the rake of Chhattisgarh Exp with ET P4
#22778.
Thereafter, smooth running continued till Sakti (200 Km from R) which we
reached at 11.19(+9). Here we were detained for Mamta Di's brainchild
Duronto (CSTM-HWH) to blast past us behind a shining HWH P4 at 11.25. We
finally left at 11.30(+19).
Thereafter, we maintained this delay up to Raigarh [A: 12.18(+19), D:
12.23(+23)] encountering a freight train on Maand river bridge just
before RIG
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mask_kishore/4353418622/
Some fellow which certainly wasn't IRCTC officiated came to take lunch
orders after RIG which I didn't want to but obviously didn't have a
choice so ordered 2 plates of Veg food. I later regretted this as the
food was awful:
1. Cabbage curry (Sweet actually)
2.Watery Dal
3. Rice
4. A pouch (200ml) of H2O.
I wonder why the railways inflict such torture on people travelling by
such trains which travel for 11ooKm with 5 AC coaches - Good enough for
a pantry. Certainly, people in super-crawlers do not pay less to deny a
pantry car.
Anyways, the run from RIG-BRJN was smooth amidst thick forest which
people on evening trains like 2129/2809 might miss:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mask_kishore/4353419328/
Brajrajnagar was reached at 13.10(+24) but the enormous slack up to
Jharsuguda(48 min for 13 Km) ensured we reached there by 13.21(-14). I
was disappointed by JSG which was a down-on-facilities & dusty looking
station in comparison to the biggie that I was anticipating. 3287 left
JSG at 13.40(0). The run towards ROU was initially slow but later the
LPs put foot on the pedal and we were doing about 90Kmph in no time.
About 25Km from JSG, the train hit something which resulted in violent
noises and sideways swaying. I, who had tuned on to the latest songs of
My Name is Khan on my MP3 player, was shaken by this incident. The
culprit turned out to be COW which sneaked through the Cow-catcher and
got shredded to bits before the LPs could stop the train. By that time
it had already travelled 7 coaches beneath the train. I now understand
the shudder Mr. Shantanu Biswas must have felt when his 2302 hit a
Nilgai at 130Kmph last Nov & swayed badly; this one was just doing
90Kmph.Anyways, the cow was removed and the affected coaches checked
thoroughly for any aftereffects.
The LPs for some reason backed the train by a few yards before starting
again. We were 30 min late now. The run became more sedate as the train
continued to stop every 15 min at a nondescript station and I began to
question my decision to travel by a super-crawler. We crossed Brahmani
River just before Rourkela:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mask_kishore/4353420142/
Rourkela was reached at 15.50(+40). I was planning to alight here to buy
evening snacks but decided against it as the train had arrived on PF4
and also ROU station that day wore a deserted look with most food-stalls
out to be a right decision as we moved out after just 10 min instead of
the scheduled 20.
Anyways, we started and were treated to the marshaling yard at BNDM.
The run from BNDM-CKP was nice and we reached Chakradharpur at
17.37(+22), just at dusk.
Just a question - I observed overturned coaches of TATA-BSP Exp at Km
365 between Manoharpur (373Km) & Goilkera (344 Km).Was that a result of
an accident? If yes, then when did this happen?
Moving on, we departed from CKP after a scheduled 5 min halt and the
smooth run continued till Adityapur where there was an unscheduled stop.
I couldn't understand the railway's logic. There's no stop at Adityapur
while going to TATA but instead it occurs after the reversal. As a
result, impatient passengers pull chains to alight here, causing further
delays. Some crawling & stopping while entering TATA meant we could only
reach Tatanagar at 19.15(+40). Here the passengers took the 40 min halt
meant for reversal/crew change as a chance to buy dinner from IRCTC
stalls which were ready with food. The new set of LP's made up 15 min by
starting at 19.40(+25).
I had bought Veg Biryani hoping for the best but instead it turned out
to be Rice-with-Veg. The Raita served alongside saved me from further
misery. The train continued to play the stop-start game as Purulia Jn.
(For Adra/Ranchi) came at 21.53(+37) and Adra Jn. came at 22.57(+37).
Here we had a 2nd reversal I witnessed the WAM4 travel from back to
front to take charge.
3287 left Adra at 23.17(+37) after a 20 min halt and thereafter there
were no more halts till Burnpur which we reached at 0.07(+38) after
crossing a large river which later I learnt was Damodar river:
http://wikimapia.org/#lat=23.6441016&lon=86.8978858&z=17&l=0&m=b
But again a huge slack (50 Min for 5Km!) between BURN & ASN ensured we
reached Asansol Jn. at our scheduled time of 00.20. The 3rd & final
reversal (couldn't believe my luck) for the journey occurred here and we
left at 00.45(0).
After ASN, I dozed off too wake up next morning amidst heavy fog & chill
through the Gangetic plains which avoid SECR regions. Owing to the fog,
we reached PNBE at 08.40, delayed by 1.35 hrs. A few photos of the fog
at PNBE.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mask_kishore/4353421136/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mask_kishore/4353421462/
A few observations at PNBE & Rajendra Nagar (T):-
1. 2310/09 RJPB - NDLS Raj's rake stood in RJPB yard with plenty of
damaged windows. I wonder what caused this. WAP4 MGS #22750 was attached
with the rake.
2. Ratlam WDM2A #16849 was shunting rake of 9322/21 Indore-RJPB Exp into
RJPB yard.
3. MGS P4E #22064 hauled Ganga-Damodar Exp into RJPB.
4. MGS WAM4s - 21391 & 20615 "Surubhi" stood in the side-tracks.
5. WAM4 #21337 + Palamau Exp on PF7.
6. MGS WAM4 #21380 "Barbie-Doll" hauled in 2334 Vibhuti Exp on PF1,
delayed by 10.30 hrs.
Most other ER trains were running late by 5-15 hrs.
That's it. Keep tuned in for parts II & III
Regards,
Animesh Kishore
Raipur
----------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------
PS - The figures shown in brackets indicate the deviation from scheduled
A/D time. For e.g.,
(+24) stands for Delayed by 24 min
(-15) stands for Ahead of schedule by 15 min
(0) stands for Right time running
----------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------
I never miss an opportunity to get aboard a train and since this time it
was a question of travelling across 5 states - Chhattisgarh, Orissa, WB,
Bihar & Jharkhand, it was a thrilling prospect for me as a rail fan.
------------------------------
------------------------------
PART I: 3287 South Bihar Exp (Raipur(R)-Patna Jn (PNBE)), Date: 24-25
Jan 2010, Distance - 1083 Km
------------------------------
------------------------------
The first leg of my journey started on board 3287 Durg-Danapur South
Bihar Exp from Raipur-Patna. This train is only part of a couple that
operates between Raipur-Bihar. And since it is a super-crawler, I
thought it would be fun, considering that it was my 1st trip towards
JSG-ROU-TATA-ADRA.
I reached Raipur stn. At 06.45, an hour before the scheduled arrival of
3287 from Durg. Bought Sambhar-Vada from Celebrations restaurant at
station at 25/plate (2 Vadas+Sambhar+Coconut Chutney). 3287 arrived as
scheduled behind WAM4 BIA #20435.This train surprisingly has a lone 3A
coach along with 4 2A coaches (2 AB, 2 pure A). I was in AB1 - for which
I was happy as that would mean wider windows as compared to regular 2As.
The coach was a 2006 make and had modern facilities like Eye-socket type
reading lamp, compact and classy sanitary fittings and seat-tables that
retracted inside the window wall.
The train left bang on time at 07.55. The WAM4 did a fine job with the
load of 21 coaches. At Bhatapara(A: 08.58), we met 2810 HWH-CSTM Mail
led by SRC P4 #22742 which was 55 min behind schedule. Some fine running
took us to Bilaspur at 09.51, delayed by 6 min. We left BSP at sharp
10.00. While leaving, I noticed the rake of Chhattisgarh Exp with ET P4
#22778.
Thereafter, smooth running continued till Sakti (200 Km from R) which we
reached at 11.19(+9). Here we were detained for Mamta Di's brainchild
Duronto (CSTM-HWH) to blast past us behind a shining HWH P4 at 11.25. We
finally left at 11.30(+19).
Thereafter, we maintained this delay up to Raigarh [A: 12.18(+19), D:
12.23(+23)] encountering a freight train on Maand river bridge just
before RIG
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mask_kishore/4353418622/
Some fellow which certainly wasn't IRCTC officiated came to take lunch
orders after RIG which I didn't want to but obviously didn't have a
choice so ordered 2 plates of Veg food. I later regretted this as the
food was awful:
1. Cabbage curry (Sweet actually)
2.Watery Dal
3. Rice
4. A pouch (200ml) of H2O.
I wonder why the railways inflict such torture on people travelling by
such trains which travel for 11ooKm with 5 AC coaches - Good enough for
a pantry. Certainly, people in super-crawlers do not pay less to deny a
pantry car.
Anyways, the run from RIG-BRJN was smooth amidst thick forest which
people on evening trains like 2129/2809 might miss:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/
Brajrajnagar was reached at 13.10(+24) but the enormous slack up to
Jharsuguda(48 min for 13 Km) ensured we reached there by 13.21(-14). I
was disappointed by JSG which was a down-on-facilities & dusty looking
station in comparison to the biggie that I was anticipating. 3287 left
JSG at 13.40(0). The run towards ROU was initially slow but later the
LPs put foot on the pedal and we were doing about 90Kmph in no time.
About 25Km from JSG, the train hit something which resulted in violent
noises and sideways swaying. I, who had tuned on to the latest songs of
My Name is Khan on my MP3 player, was shaken by this incident. The
culprit turned out to be COW which sneaked through the Cow-catcher and
got shredded to bits before the LPs could stop the train. By that time
it had already travelled 7 coaches beneath the train. I now understand
the shudder Mr. Shantanu Biswas must have felt when his 2302 hit a
Nilgai at 130Kmph last Nov & swayed badly; this one was just doing
90Kmph.Anyways, the cow was removed and the affected coaches checked
thoroughly for any aftereffects.
The LPs for some reason backed the train by a few yards before starting
again. We were 30 min late now. The run became more sedate as the train
continued to stop every 15 min at a nondescript station and I began to
question my decision to travel by a super-crawler. We crossed Brahmani
River just before Rourkela:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/
Rourkela was reached at 15.50(+40). I was planning to alight here to buy
evening snacks but decided against it as the train had arrived on PF4
and also ROU station that day wore a deserted look with most food-stalls
out to be a right decision as we moved out after just 10 min instead of
the scheduled 20.
Anyways, we started and were treated to the marshaling yard at BNDM.
The run from BNDM-CKP was nice and we reached Chakradharpur at
17.37(+22), just at dusk.
Just a question - I observed overturned coaches of TATA-BSP Exp at Km
365 between Manoharpur (373Km) & Goilkera (344 Km).Was that a result of
an accident? If yes, then when did this happen?
Moving on, we departed from CKP after a scheduled 5 min halt and the
smooth run continued till Adityapur where there was an unscheduled stop.
I couldn't understand the railway's logic. There's no stop at Adityapur
while going to TATA but instead it occurs after the reversal. As a
result, impatient passengers pull chains to alight here, causing further
delays. Some crawling & stopping while entering TATA meant we could only
reach Tatanagar at 19.15(+40). Here the passengers took the 40 min halt
meant for reversal/crew change as a chance to buy dinner from IRCTC
stalls which were ready with food. The new set of LP's made up 15 min by
starting at 19.40(+25).
I had bought Veg Biryani hoping for the best but instead it turned out
to be Rice-with-Veg. The Raita served alongside saved me from further
misery. The train continued to play the stop-start game as Purulia Jn.
(For Adra/Ranchi) came at 21.53(+37) and Adra Jn. came at 22.57(+37).
Here we had a 2nd reversal I witnessed the WAM4 travel from back to
front to take charge.
3287 left Adra at 23.17(+37) after a 20 min halt and thereafter there
were no more halts till Burnpur which we reached at 0.07(+38) after
crossing a large river which later I learnt was Damodar river:
http://wikimapia.org/#lat=23.
But again a huge slack (50 Min for 5Km!) between BURN & ASN ensured we
reached Asansol Jn. at our scheduled time of 00.20. The 3rd & final
reversal (couldn't believe my luck) for the journey occurred here and we
left at 00.45(0).
After ASN, I dozed off too wake up next morning amidst heavy fog & chill
through the Gangetic plains which avoid SECR regions. Owing to the fog,
we reached PNBE at 08.40, delayed by 1.35 hrs. A few photos of the fog
at PNBE.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/
A few observations at PNBE & Rajendra Nagar (T):-
1. 2310/09 RJPB - NDLS Raj's rake stood in RJPB yard with plenty of
damaged windows. I wonder what caused this. WAP4 MGS #22750 was attached
with the rake.
2. Ratlam WDM2A #16849 was shunting rake of 9322/21 Indore-RJPB Exp into
RJPB yard.
3. MGS P4E #22064 hauled Ganga-Damodar Exp into RJPB.
4. MGS WAM4s - 21391 & 20615 "Surubhi" stood in the side-tracks.
5. WAM4 #21337 + Palamau Exp on PF7.
6. MGS WAM4 #21380 "Barbie-Doll" hauled in 2334 Vibhuti Exp on PF1,
delayed by 10.30 hrs.
Most other ER trains were running late by 5-15 hrs.
That's it. Keep tuned in for parts II & III
Regards,
Animesh Kishore
Raipur
------------------------------
------------------------------
PS - The figures shown in brackets indicate the deviation from scheduled
A/D time. For e.g.,
(+24) stands for Delayed by 24 min
(-15) stands for Ahead of schedule by 15 min
(0) stands for Right time running
------------------------------
------------------------------
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