Dadar-Odha

2008-10-20

Ranjeet Ramaswamy

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Odha trip

Part 1: Dadar – Nasik Road

After days of thinking and calculation, we finally arrived at a
conclusion that we will go to Odha (11 kms from Nasik towards MMR)
on 20th October 2008. The reason why we selected this day was that
it was a Monday and we could see the LTT-BE Express with CNB WAP-4
(its usual link). Well who doesn’t like CNB WAP-4s? Its thick red
colour and the extra bold font of the road number really amaze
everyone! Initially myself and Chaitanya Gokhale (IRFCA-Pune)
planned for the trip. But later on I called up Ashutosh Hukumchand
and Ashwin Ramaswmay (a new kid) to join us. Without any hitch they
said yes. As it was Ashwin’s first trip he was a bit nervous.
Chaitanya booked tickets for us from Pune.

Our initial plan was to take the Tapovan to Nasik and return from
Nasik by Bhagalpur-LTT Express. But the bookings in Bhagalpur-LTT
were full. One cannot depend upon Geetanjali, Saket and Kashi
Express as they may come late! So myself and Chaitanya decided that
we will return by Tapovan.
Ashwin wanted to meet me and wanted to know what exactly we do in
railfanning. So I went to his place which was less than a kilometer
from mine. I met his dad also and it was glad to know that his dad
and grandpa both were fascinated by trains! So 3 generations of
railfans-mindblowing!

The idea of Odha (OD) was given by Arzan Kotval who had railfanned
there. Odha is a station 11 kms from Nasik on the NK-MMR section. It
has 2 platforms on loop and 2 mainline. The platforms is of ground
level. This location more or less resembles Mukundarayapuram (near
Sevur) on the MAS-SBC route via AJJ, KPD, and JTJ. But
Mukundarayapuram has a good and nice platform as it falls on the
BHEL Township and Ranipet (near KP).

I took lots of inputs from Arzan Kotval and Binai K Sankar who had
railfanned there sometime back. Their inputs were quite helpful.

Our final plan was to take the Tapovan Express from DR/TNA/KYN to
NK. Have food there and railfan till 1353 CSTM-BSL Passenger comes.
Board the 1353 to Odha and railfan there till 16:00 hrs and take the
Manmad-Igatpuri Passenger back to NK and take the 7618 Tapovan back
to Mumbai!

Tickets were with Chaitanya Gokhale and none of us could met him.
But our ticket was from CSTM and Chaitanya had informed Ashutosh the
PNR no. He was to board from KYN. Myself and Ashwin from TNA and
Ashutosh from DR. So we were a bit nervous as we were `almost’
ticketless till KYN!

On 20th morning at around 05:15 hrs, I left my home and Ashwin’s dad
dropped us at Vikhroli Station. We punched coupons and were waiting
for a 05:41 Kasara Slow.

As soon as we entered pf-1, Chalukya Express rushed towards DR with
ET WDM-2 #17757. It was rare that an ET loco hauled it.
As soon as she passed, 2165 LTT-BSB Ratnagiri Express passed at
around 100 kmph! Then another train passed with a WCAM-3 loco. It
had a SLR in between. We couldn’t recognise her. But if I’m correct,
it should be Pandharpur-Mumbai CST Fast Passenger. But I couldn’t
believe that it was running so late!

Our EMU (Electric Multiple Unit)came on pf-1 at 05:45 hrs. Just after KJMG, CSTM-MAO Jan
Shatabdi Express overtook us at MPS with ED WDM-3D #11107. This loco
might have come with the previous day’s 6346 Netravati Express from
TVC.

At BND outer 1354 CSTM-BSL Passenger overtook us. It is the same
train which will take us from NK to OD. But the best part was that
we overtook her at Mulund! Perhaps this is the only train in India
which is overtaken by lots of trains!

We reached TNA at around 06:03 hrs and as we were proceeding towards
Pf-5 from Pf-2, CSTM-BSL Passenger pulled in. It left after a 2 mins
halt.

At 06:15 hrs, Indrayani Express arrived on Pf-5 with WCAM-3 #21895.

Ashutosh called me and said that he is already at Dadar waiting for
our train.

My friend who was to board the 2859 CSTM-HWH Geetanjali Express the
same day called me and said Geetanjali Express was rescheduled! The
previous night the incoming 2860 HWH-CSTM Geetanjali Express arrive
dlate by more than 3 hours! My friend was going to Jamshedpur
(Tatanagar) and I Said that I will wave to him at TNA when his train
passes. The rescheduled Geetanjali was to depart from Dadar at 07:55
hrs against its usual 06:15 hrs!

In the meantime there was amazing morning action at TNA.

WCAM-3 #21940 arrived on Pf-6 with Siddeshwar Express at 06:23 from
SUR.
Announcements were made that 0103 CSTM-MAO Mandovi Express is
rescheduled to 11:25 hrs. Its original departure time from CSTM was
06:55 hrs. The reason probabaly was 0112 MAO-CSTM Konkan Kanya
Express was delayed.
At 06:33 hrs, Punjab Mail rattled through Pf-6 at 80+ kmph with WCAM-
3 #21953. It has to be noted that there is a PSR of 80 a TNA!

Our coach was D-3 and it was in the rear, perhaps 6th coach from the
rear. Tapovan Express is augmented by 3-4 coaches now. And I think
it is on a permanent basis as it is one of the highly patronized
train!
At 06:45 hrs Tapovan Express came on Pf-5 with WCAM-3 #21933
incharge. As our Tapovan pulled in simultaneously Mahalakshmi
Express from KOP pulled onto pf-6. Both the trains departed after
halting for 5 mins.

We met Ashutosh. Our train crawled till Parsik Tunnel. At TNA outer,
Pune WDM-3A greeted us with SC-CSTM Devgiri Express. The run from
PArsik outer till KYN outer was superb! We were constantly doing
100+ kmph!

At KYN outer we were halted for 2-3 minutes. A late running 24
coacher G-CSTM Vidharba Express crossed us at KYN outer. Ever since
this train was extended to G, this train hardly maintains its
punctuality!

We pulled into KYN at 07:10 hrs. HWH-LTT Samarasata Express via PUI
was on pf-5 with WCAM-3 #21963. She was slightly late and had 8 A.C
coaches!
Chaitanya joined us here. Luckily for us till KYN no TTE turned up.
We departed KYN at 07:17 hrs. The run till Titwala was very very
slow. We hardly exceeded 70 kmph mark.

A very late running 8030 SHM-LTT Express crossed us Ambivli. She had
4-5 Parcel Vans!

Once after Titwala, we were at AC zone and WCAM-3 started flying. We
were doing more than 90 from TL outer! At Khadavali, we overtook
1353 CSTM-BSL Passenger at 07:41 hrs! So today we overtook her
twice, once in our EMU (Electric Multiple Unit)and now!
Just after Khadavali, MMR-Pune and NZM-ERS Mangala Laskhadweep
Express crossed us.

The run from Khadavali to Kasara was awesome. We were doing 100+
constantly.
We reached KSRA at 08:10 hrs. The KYN-KSRA stretch of 67 kms was
done in just 53 minutes! An avg speed of 75.84 km/h!

We had a 10 minutes halt at KSRA as the bankers for us approached
late.

Once after KSRA, the run on the Thull Ghat was smooth. Panchavati
Express to CSTM from MMR crossed us at Thull Ghat at 08:33 hrs.
We pulled into Igatpuri at 08:39, before time by 14 minutes!
ET WAM-4 #20539 arrived with 3201 RJPB-LTT Express. WCAM-3 #21893
took charge of her.
We departed IGP at 08:53 and crawled till the ETS. We were halted
right in front of the ETS but our view of the ETS was blocked by the
incoming NGP-DR Sewagram Express. She was hauled by BSL WAP-4 #22371
in blood red livery. Probabaly transferred from HWH!

As it passed we started moving, so the it was not possible to note
down all the locos at ETS. However to name a few there were, 2 HWH
WAP-4s, 2 BSL WAM-4s, 2 BSL WAP-4s, 1 MGS WAP-4, another WAP-4
named `Satya Pal’ and 2 SRC WAP-4s and loads of ET WAM-4s! It was
rare that a MGS WAP-4 was there at IGP. Also, can some one tell to
which shed does `Satya Pal’ belong to?

Once we cleared IGP yard, we were doing not less than 100 kmph!
We reached Devlali at 09:28 hrs. So the run from IGP outer to
Devlali was done in just 30 minutes at an avg of 85+ kmph! We were 5
mins before time at Devlali and departed in 2 mins, againg 5 mins
before time!

But the DVL-NK run was not nice. We did just 60-70 till NK and
pulled into NK at 09:45, 3 mins before time!
As soon as we entered, MMR-LTT Godavari Express pulled onto Pf-3 and
a heavy rush was there to board the train.

Part 2: Nasik Road – Odha – Nasik

Nasik Road to Odha by 1353 CSTM-BSL Pass and back to Nasik
Road by 1353 BSL-CSTM Pass.

Once after reaching Nasik Road, we went to take tickets for Odha.
The ticket issuer at the counter didn’t knew where Odha was,
Chaitanya had to clearly mention him where it was. A ticket to Odha
from NK costs Rs.3/-. Its very cheap as compared to other means of
transport! We had whole 1 hour with us. So we decided to have
breakfast at IRCTC Canteen on Pf-1. It was very shabby, but we
didn’t have any other option. Breakfast was served almost 15 minutes
after ordering it, so we were doing rounds of Pf-1.

5017 LTT-GKP Kashi Express via BSB was announced but it turned much
later on Pf-2 with a BSL WAM-4. In the mean time a long freight rake
hauled by twin KJM WDG-3As #13270(in typical KJM livery) and #13347
(in typical shakti livery) arrived on Pf-1 there by blocking our
view of Pf-2 where 5017 was arriving. The LP of the KJM WDG-3As blew
a horn which was deafening! We then went back to canteen and had our
breakfast!
ET WDS-6 #36254 was shunting a parcel van and dropped it on the MMR
end of Pf-1. This ET WDS-6 is here for more than 2 yrs. I had
spotted this on my last trip to NK around 2 yrs back too. Refer
message: #138732
Now Pf-1 was blocked by this parcel one. Any train entering Pf-1
cannot leave out!
At 10:30 hrs, NKJ WAG-7 #27735 came on Pf-3 with a long BOSTHS rake
(similar to BOXN but had yellow stipes) from MMR side. It halted
here for 2-3 minutes, perhaps to drop off some railway officials and
proceeded towards IGP.

Our onward train i.e 1353 CSTM-BSL Passenger was to arrive on Pf-1
at 10:50 hrs, but the Parcel Van was lying on Pf-1. At 10:55hrs, BSB-
LTT Mahanagri Express arrived on Pf-3 with ET WAM-4 #20624. It was
late by 1 hour! But considering her slack time between NK and IGP
and then IGP and KYN, I felt she will reach CSTM late by 15-30
minutes!

At 10:55 hrs the ET WDS-6 took away the Parcel Van towards DVL end
of Pf-1 and placed itself in a loop close to Pf-1. It will be
attached to the 1353 BSL Passenger. At around 11:00 hrs, our 1353
CSTM-BSL Passenger arrived with BSL WAP-4 #22514 transferred from
JHS. It had headlamps in its waist! There was a heavy rush to board
this train. We managed get in after some drama.
The parcel van was attached, so we departed after a 13 mins halt!
We were doing around 30-40 for some 3-4 minutes after that the LP
throttled. Ours was the 2nd coach from the loco. We passed throught
he Godavari Bridge at 100 kmph and the public inside the train
prayed the river! We reached Odha at around 11:23 hrs.

Our cheeks got wider when we saw the location. It was simply superb!
There was a shar gradient towards MMR around 1-1.5 kms away from
Odha. But there were atleast 20-30 gangmen working. So we resorted
to photo shooting near the station.
Our first spotting was a GMO WAG-7 #27307 with a BCNA rake from MMR
side. The way it descended the gradient was simply superb. Then
started our spottings of the red monsters!

At 11:41 hrs SRC WAP-4 #22637 passed with a late running 2859 CSTM-
HWH Geetanjali Express. This train was late by 2 hours. My friend
was traveling in it. I had no intention to inform him that I was
seeing his train. This train maintained its delay and the next day
reached TATA at 10:30 hrs, late by 2 hours. So it was given all-
clear enroute!

At 11:55 hrs, another train from NK side came. We were sure that it
was LTT-BE Express. However the loco didn’t seem to be CNB WAP-4.
When it came closer, we saw that it was LDH WAP-4 #22702. Our first
spotting of that loco. The shed name `Ludhiana’ in devnagari was
shabbily written.

At 12:07, BSL WAP-4 #22636 blasted at MPS with CSTM-LJN Pushpak
Express.

At 12:13 hrs, ET WAM-4 #21315 passed with HWH-CSTM Mail via Gaya. It
did around 90 kmph and was late by over 5 hours!

At 12:24 hrs, BSL WAP-4 #22629 passed with a late running 2142 RJPB-
CSTM SF Express. It wa slate by 1 hour and 15 minutes. It had 25
coaches. 2 coaches are augmented to clear the Diwali and Chatth Puja
rush.

Then there were no spottings for a long time. Initially, we were
planning to return by MMR-IGP Passenger at 16:00 hrs but as we all
were hungy and there was nothing at Odha we decided to take the 1354
BSL-CSTM Pass at 13:15 hrs.

At 12:57, ET WAM-4 #20686 hauled GKP-LTT Goddan Express passed. It
was late by more than an hour. It had 24 coaches including 1
inspection car in the rear. The 24 coaches comprised of 2 SLRs, 6
GS, 1 2-AC, 1 3-AC and remaining SL i.e 13 of them!

Our train i.e 1354 BSL-LTT Passenger came at 13:40 hrs, late by 25
minutes behind a BSL WAP-4 #22630. It had 2 VB livered coaches just
behind the loco and contained nameplate as `Nasik Road’.There was a
mad crowd inside it. We boarded it and placed ourselves near the
door. The run from Odha to Nasik Road was nice with lots of
vineyards in between!
We reached NK at 13:54 hrs. The 2 coaches with the BSL WAP-4 was
detached. The WAP-4 placed them on the sidings at the IGP end of Pf-
2/3 and returned to get attach with the same train. It departed at
14:15 hrs.

We were hungry so went out in search of a quality restaurant. As the
city was 6-7 kms away, we decided to eat near the station itself.
After lunch we were back into the station at 15:05 hrs.
Announcements were made that 5018 Kashi Express is delayed by 2
hours!

At 15:15, a MLY WDM-2 #16202 hauled freighter passed at around 80-90
kmph through Pf-2 towards MMR! She raised lot of dust. It is to be
nothed that there is a PSR of 100 at NK! AFAIK, there is only one
pair of train which skips NK in daytime i.e LTT-CPR-LTT Express.
LAst time i.e on 12th Sep 2006, when I was rf at NK, it passed at
very good speed with BZA WAM-4!

Seeing us taking a video, a RPF man came closer to us and was
standing near us. He was so young that he looked to be new for that
job. So he didn’t have any voice to ask us, but was watching us
firmly. We had to play hide n seek with him for around 30 minutes!
We went to Pf-2 from Pf-1, he came there also.

Later on we retired on the waiting hall inside! The heat was taking
toll on us. We were discussing about som of our observations and
some of ours previous trips.

END of Part-2. Rest in Part-3.