IRFCA Mailing List Archive
Messages 6421 - 6440
From: Sankaran Kumar <>
Subject: Re: Sightings
Date: 26 May 1999 13:21:15 -0500
>From: "Anand Krishnan" <krish_nand@hotmail.email
>To: msshanka@gsbpop.email iti@vsnl.email
>CC: irfca@cs.email
>Subject: Re: Sightings
>Date: Wed, 26 May 1999 08:56:16 IST
>
Its MAS for Chennai both for
>railways
>and Airlines. I am not too sure it has been changed after "Madras"
became
>"Chennai".
>
>
>Regds,
>Anand
I believe it the airline code for Madras is MAA not MAS.
Kumar
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From: Sankaran Kumar <>
Subject: Re: I am going to Madras
Date: 26 May 1999 13:45:21 -0500
>From: "poras p.saklatwalla " <pps@godrej.email
>Reply-To: "poras p.saklatwalla " <pps@godrej.email
>To: irfca@cs.email
>Subject: I am going to Madras
>Date: Wed, 26 May 1999 12:17:41 +0530 (IST)
>
>
>I am also interested in travelling by elevated railway, provided one of
>you friends send me the details. On the local scene I only know the
>Madras Beach - Tambaram MG section, via Egmore. But I believe there is
one
>local line from Central to ???? and this elevated line. Do we have
>anyone from this fan club based in Madras. If yes it would be great
fun
>meeting someone from our group. I want to know the starting stn of
this
>elevated rly and the end. I will be close to Egmore and Central stns.
>
>Your tips pls.
The elevated tracks are on the recently built Beach-Thirumayilai metro
BG
section. I believe the stations are Beach-Fort-Park
Town-Thiruvallikkeni-Ice House??-Thirumayilai. Part of the section is
elevated--Thirumayilai station is completely elevated. Phase II of this
metro link calls for extension from Thirymayilai to Velacheri (the work
has
reportedly begun). Phase III will link Velacheri with St.Thomas Mount
and
the Tambaram suburban line.
Also the TN govt. would like to have a direct elevated rail link between
Chennai Central and Egmore and offered to pay for the land etc. I
wonder if
this proposal has gone anywhere with the Rly. Board.
Hope this helps.
Kumar
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From: Tony Bailey <>
Subject: Re: Sightings
Date: 26 May 1999 15:02:21 -0500
>I believe it the airline code for Madras is MAA not MAS.
>
>Kumar
Correct! and the IATA 3 letter code for Mumbai is still BOM.
Delhi is DEL and Calcutta is CCU.
Tony Bailey
From: Auroprem Kandaswami <>
Subject: Pune/Coimbatore as Terminus?
Date: 26 May 1999 15:22:40 -0500
Hi gang,
Every year, there is at least one new train introduced that originates
or
terminates at PA. If not this, IR at least increases the frequency of
trains
to/from PA - like the latest reported by Apurva, Ahimsa Express which
first started off as a Weekly and is now tri-weekly or 4 days a week.
Does PA generate a lot of traffic to warrant these separate trains? Or
is
the main idea here simply to provide a direct connection to CR's NE
line
from PA without the need for any change at MMR or KYN ?
There is a direct train starting from PA to ADI, NDLS, JAT, HWH,
Varanasi (not
sure),
ERS (latest introduction) and probably a couple more. I know for sure
CSTM-PA
trains run packed end-to-end, throughout the year.
My guess on the first train which terminated/originated from PA would
be the Jhelum Express (introduced in 70s ?). Of course, needless to
say,
I am skipping all CSTM - PA trains for this purpose.
I certainly do not have anything personally against Pune or our PA
folks
(Apurva, Jayant , Shirish, anyone else ...?). In fact, I like Pune city
and its
people very much, who are nice and warm. Extremely relaxed atmosphere.
I am just posing this question, as a kind of "critical appreciation".
Another candidate for this question is Coimbatore Jn. (CBJ or CBE).
While
this had only Kovai Express and Cheran Express for almost the last 2
decades,
recently it has started receiving "special" terminus status. First you
had
the Coimbatore-Rajkot Express, recently the Coimbatore-Kurla Express
started last year. Coimbatore-Bangalore Inter City Express is also
another
recent introduction. Maybe more are in the pipeline.
Auro
From: Auroprem Kandaswami <>
Subject: Rlys. introduces accident relief vans
Date: 26 May 1999 15:45:31 -0500
NEW DELHI, MAY 26. The railways has operationalised
five
high- speed accident relief vans
to reach the accident site quickly. These high-tech
vans
will replace the existing ones which
have design defects. The indigenously manufactured
twin-coach sets with fully equipped
operation theaters and 12 beds are part of the 28
vans
planned to be stationed in various
parts of the country.
Both the coaches of each set have self propelling
power
equipment so that the unit can move
in either direction, thus eliminating delays in
reaching the
accident site as they do not have
to wait for locomotive attachment. The vans can run
at 100
kmph and cost Rs. 2 crores each.
The first five vans will be positioned on southern,
northern, central, north-eastern and
south-eastern railway zones.
***
From: Auroprem Kandaswami <>
Subject: MRTS-suburban system integration under study
Date: 26 May 1999 15:51:00 -0500
CHENNAI, MAY 26. With the Tamil Nadu Government and
the
Railway Board agreeing to extend phase II of
the Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) between
Tirumailai and
Velacheri upto the St. Thomas Mount, the
Southern Railway is now working on various proposals
to
integrate the MRTS with the existing
Tambaram-Beach suburban system.
The RITES, which did a survey of the Velacheri-St.
Thomas
Mount stretch on behalf of CMDA, has
proposed a surface alignment from Velacheri to
Adambakkam
and an elevated structure thereafter which
will cross all existing tracks at St. Thomas Mount
towards
the Tambaram end of the station. A new
elevated station will be set up at St. Thomas Mount
for MRTS
in addition to the existing suburban station.
Under the proposal, there will be no direct link
between the
MRTS and the Tambaram-Beach suburban
system and commuters have to transfer from one
system to the
other at St. Thomas Mount.
To facilitate through running of EMUs from MRTS to
suburban
systems and vice versa, the possibility of
a surface connection at St. Thomas Mount was
examined. But
as the MRTS lines have to necessarily cross
the suburban lines near St. Thomas Mount at an
elevated
level and as steep gradient is not advisable near
the station, MRTS lines cannot achieve surface level
at
St.Thomas Mount. Therefore if MRTS lines and
suburban lines have to be interconnected at the
surface
level, it can be achieved only at Guindy or
Palavanthangal.
At a recent meeting this issue was discussed by the
General
Manager, Mr. N. Krithivasan, with his
engineering colleagues. He felt that a surface
connection
between MRTS and suburban lines both at Guindy
and Palavanthangal, along with an elevated station
at St.
Thomas Mount, would be ideal if MRTS is to
become more popular.
If a direct connection is provided between the two
systems
it will help commuters to travel by both
systems without alighting en route. As the proposal
involves
several crossings it will increase the
project cost besides causing operational problems
for MRTS,
especially when the frequency of EMUs is
increased. But from the commuters' point of view it
will be
ideal.
The General Manager wanted the proposal to be
scrutinised
from the traffic point of view, so that RITES
could be suitably advised to finalise the proposal
and to
forward it to the Railway Board and the Tamil
Nadu Government for sanction.
Meanwhile, the Railway Board has directed the
Southern
Railway to work out the cost for the extension of
phase II from Velacheri to St. Thomas Mount.
***
From: Auroprem Kandaswami <>
Subject: Re: I am going to Madras
Date: 26 May 1999 16:27:56 -0500
Hi Poras,
I tried the elevated line in October 1998. It is just an
ecstatic experience. Do not miss it on any account!
To access the elevated line, please do the following:
At Egmore, ask for a return ticket to TiruMayilai (formerly, Mylapore)
(preferably, via Beach Station). First get onto a Beach local
train from Egmore. After getting down at Beach, go to Platform 7
or 8. (It will be designated as a MRTS platform. Be careful, in
boarding a train from this Platform. There are some EMU trains
that go North towards Gummidipundi/Avadi and other destinations.
You do not want to take that. Be careful to board only a MRTS train
to TiruMayilai. Most of them start only from Beach.
There is a MRTS surcharge of Rs. 1.50 or 2 (definitely worth it)
Wow! What an experience! After Fort station (next to Beach), the
real fun starts. Just before Park, train starts going up the
elevated track. Park Station, is at a very slight elevation.
(Not that high as Sandhurst Road on CR's Harbour line).
Park Station of MRTS and Beach-Tambaram are not directly connected.
You have to walk slightly on the road before you get there.
After Park comes Chintadaripet (from here all are elevated
stations). From Chintadripet, remember to look in the Eastern
direction (left to you, in the direction of travel). After
you cross Triplicane (Tiruvallikeni is the new name) you will
be thrilled to see that the sea is almost in front of you. Continue
to enjoy your journey all the way upto Tirumayilai (State-of-the-art
station with superb architecture, roofing, tiling, finishings.
You will see escalators on all stations.
I do not know if TiruMayilai-Velachery section is already completed
or commissioned. Someone from Chennai should be able to fill us
on this. I am very sure there is NO DIRECT Service from Chennai
Central to MRTS (at least there were none last year).
About journey from Wadi to Guntakal, do not miss to see the
bridge across the river Tunghabhadra. In the middle of the
bridge, you will transition to Andhra Pradesh from Karnataka
(river itself is the border). Soon after the bridge, you will
reach Manthralayam Road (MALM). 1063 stops here for Watering.
Also, MALM produces piles of modern concrete sleepers for IR.
Happy times.
Auro
>I am also interested in travelling by elevated railway, provided one of
>you friends send me the details. On the local scene I only know the
>Madras Beach - Tambaram MG section, via Egmore. But I believe there is
one
>local line from Central to ???? and this elevated line. Do we have
>anyone from this fan club based in Madras. If yes it would be great
fun
>meeting someone from our group. I want to know the starting stn of
this
>elevated rly and the end. I will be close to Egmore and Central stns.
>
>Your tips pls.
>
>Coming to the regular mails that I have been reading MCT- ADI Shatabdi
is
>the slowest Shatabdi in this country. The problem is Gujrat Express is
a
>daily travellers train for Boisar and further. The crowd is really vv
>rowdy in this train and so the pressure is on Shatabdi. When it
started
>the shatabdi was a treat to travel on with twin WDM 2's heading it.
Then
>came the ugly looking WCAM 1 which should be in totality scrapped. and
>now it is WCAM 2P !! How is it that The only superfast train to ADI
has
>been allowed to deteriorate its service and punctuality. I stay at
>Borivali and most of the time this train is running 20/25 mins late.
>Seriously something must be done to save this Shatabdi. What could it
>be ? A Swarna Shatabdi on the lines of Delhi Amritsar ? Do our tracks
>permit such a fast train. IMHO it is the politicians who are
responsible
>for increase in no of halts of the 2009 dn.
>
>On a recent trip to
>Surat I was informed that earlier there used to be a lot of demand for
>2472 up superfast on the days that it used to run, but now with an
evening
>train like Shatabdi the 2472 is used less and the officials at Surat
>actually propose to the afternoon passengers to use Swaraj Exp rather
than
>using an ordinary train. This has added to an increased load of
>passengers on 2009 dn.
>
>I suggest that a train to ADI be started from MCT at 6.50 so that it
can
>reach ADI in 7hrs and return the prestigious Shatabdi to its normal
>status. On the return this train can Start from ADI at 3.30pm and
reach
>Mumbai by 10.30 pm.
>
>Feedback pls !
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> PORAS P.SAKLATWALLA
>TEL :5773535/3636
>EXT :4226/4232/4237
>
>
>
>
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From: Dr. K.J. Walker & Mrs. M.E, Heath <>
Subject: Re: Construction Indian Engineers
Date: 26 May 1999 18:13:20 -0500
Dear Jackie and Annie,
Around the turn of the century the War Office tried to do two
things.
Firstly, it laid down a rule that the "imperial standard" for Military
narrow-gauge railways would be 2ft 6in gauge. This is one reaon why many
Indian NG lines built after the turn of the century were 2ft 6in gauge,
whereas quite a lot of the earlier ones were 2ft.
As it happens, 2ft 6in did not catch on as a military gauge, due
to
the universal adoption of 60cm (roughly equal to 2ft) for trench
railways in
WWI.
But the War Office did build up a strategic Reserve of 2ft 6in
gauge
materiel in India. It mostly consisted of some rather neat 2-4-2 tank
engines, plus some motley, but purpose-designed, rolling stock.
Painstaking
experiments were also conducted with light 4-wheel trolleys, to find out
the
optimal size that could be handled by men, mules, and so on. Materials
from
this reserve, plus some recovered from closed lines or commandeered from
ongoing ones, certainly were used in the Middle East in both WWI and
WWII.
There is a lot of information in Hughes' books, especially the one about
Middle East railways. (Worth having anyway).
War Office records would be the other place to look: the India
Office
will only have records for those operations with which the Indian Army
or
Indian Railways were directly involved.
Hope that helps: happy hunting!
Ken Walker
-----Original Message-----
From: Jackie Castle <jackiecastle@jcsd.email
To: Anne Ogborn <anniepoo@netmagic.email irfca@cs.email
<irfca@cs.email
Date: Wednesday, 26 May 1999 5:00
Subject: Re: Construction Indian Engineers
>This is a bit of lateral thinking but........
>
>In the early part of the 20th century the Bengal Miners & Sappers
Company
>was set up. In 1901 the company consisted of 27 lococs, 230 wagons, 30
brake
>vans and 140 miles of track stored at various places, mostly on the
North
>western Frontier. By 1907, a permant barracks were built at Quetta. In
1909
>the Corps consisted of 50 men, of who 35 were engine drivers, 3 station
>masters, 1 traffic inspector and 11 guards who were "enlisted from
Railway
>companies (I assume the NWR) to be paid 12 annas per diem". A later
report
>on the company (sadly undated) stated the company consisted of : 5
officers,
>1 company sgt major, 1 pay corparal, 2 tailors, 1 boot maker, 1 co.
cook, 6
>engine drivers, 6 firemen, 9 guards, 9 station masters, 9 asst station
>masters and telegraphists, 9 pointmen and signal men, 1 running shed
>foreman, 3 fitters, 1 boiler maker, 9 smiths, 14 hammer menm 2
cleaners, 2
>carriage greasers, 9 carpenters, 2 foreman platelayers, 9 leading
hands, 18
>platelayers and 2 buglers.
>
>This is the last reference that I can find about this regiment in the
India
>Office archives - I know that in the 1920's the regiment received a
number
>of ex WW1 Motor Rails but little else is known.
>
>I assume that these men came from a later incarnation of this regiment.
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Anne Ogborn <anniepoo@netmagic.email
>To: irfca@cs.email <irfca@cs.email
>Date: 26 May 1999 04:55
>Subject: Construction Indian Engineers
>
>
>>Little known "Indian" railway -
>> Fallen into my hands is a slim volume, "The RAF Masirah Railway",
>>by WJL Corser. It is a quite racist history of the narrow gauge
Decauville
>>railway that serviced the RAF station on Masirah island off the
>>coast of Yemen.
>>
>> During WWII they had an extensive 24" railway, operated by
>>men identified only as "natives" or "native labor". I assumed
>>they were Yemeni men, and was suprised that they wore pugrees -
>>the turban being a common garment throughout the world, but
>>the particular folding of the pugree being, I thought, specificly
>>Indian.
>> My curiousity was much heightened when I found this note:
>>
>>All the following personnel were evacuated from the island prior to
>>the monsoon on SS Barjara;
>>Capt. Inglis, Indian Pioneers; Capt. Ponisowsky, RE construction;
>>2... Companies of Indian Pioneers; Thirty Railway Construction
>>Indian Engineers.
>>
>>and shortly below that
>>
>>A British WO, 5 Indian Railway Drivers, and 30 native railway
maintainence
>party
>>are working the Decauville Railway efficiently.
>>
>>So, does anyone on this list know anything more of these Indian
>>Railway Construction Engineers, pioneers, drivers, and so on?
>>
>
>
From: poras p.saklatwalla <>
Subject: Re: I am going to Madras
Date: 26 May 1999 23:36:42 -0500
On Wed, 26 May 1999, Vijay Balasubramanian wrote:
> >
> >Fun as it would be I am just thinking if I am able to stay awake on
the
> >pune - sholapur run and enjoy the non stop ride. I am in S-9 coach,
>
> I hope this does not spoil your fun but the ride is not non-stop -
> the Chennai exp. stops for 1-2 crossings in between. Have to check
> my CR WTT for the details.
>
>
> which
> >means only at Pune and at Renigunta will I be able to go near the
loco and
> >see a loco change. ELECTRIC (DC)- DIESEL- ELECTRIC (AC)
> >The group is invited to send their interesting observations which I
can
> >see at wayside stns at Pune- Wadi - Guntakul - Gooty- Cuddapah and
> >Renigunta. On my previous two visits I got a WAP 4 from Ghaziabad
and
> >once on 6011 got a WAM 4 from Arakkonam Jn.
>
> Here are some things to look forward to -
> 1. Crossing the double-headed Karnataka exp. just before Gulbarga.
> If you are lucky, you may meet this train at Gulbarga itself.
>
> 2. Crossing the double-headed Udyan Exp. just after Wadi. Again if
> your train is late by 15-20 mts. and the Udyan is on time, you will
> meet this train at Wadi itself.
>
> 3. Doubling in progress between Daund and Gangapur Rd. (anything
> happening here?)
>
> 4. Electrification in progress between Guntakal and Renigunta (have
> the poles been laid out?)
>
> 5. Crossing the Chennai-Tirupati Exp. between Renigunta and Arakkonam
> - this train should be a Push-Pull rake with distinctive livery.
>
> 6. Crossing the Krishna river just after Krishna station and
> encountering the Thermal power plant after the bridge.
>
> 7. Watching the soil color change to brown-red somewhere between
> Raichur and Adoni because of significant iron content - laterite
> soils.
>
> 8. Guntakal - WDM2 loco shed, MG rolling stock.
>
> 9. Gooty - WDG2(?) loco shed.
>
> 10. If you are like me, you would be elated by important stations
> being ignored by this train - Daund, Gooty and Arakkonam.
>
>
> >
> >Coming to the regular mails that I have been reading MCT- ADI
Shatabdi is
> >the slowest Shatabdi in this country. The problem is Gujrat Express
>
> It is nowhere close to the slowest - it is only one among four
Shatabdis in the country to touch 120 kmph. speeds (Bhopal, Kanpur and
Bokaro Shatabdis go till 130/140). It manages to cross the 70 kmph.
mark as far as commercial speed is concerned - not all Shatabdis do
that. It's only 'blackmark' is the overdose of halts - 7 halts for just
492 km.
>
> If one goes by the commercial speed, the slowest Shatabdi is the Pune
Shatabdi - 57.6 kmph - understandably so b'coz of the Ghats. Next is
the Dehra Dun Shatabdi at 58.15 kmph.
>
>
> >
> >I suggest that a train to ADI be started from MCT at 6.50 so that it
can
> >reach ADI in 7hrs and return the prestigious Shatabdi to its normal
> >status. On the return this train can Start from ADI at 3.30pm and
reach
> >Mumbai by 10.30 pm.
>
> Amen to that!!!
>
> Vijay
>
>
> _______________________________________________________________
> Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit <A HREF="http://www.msn.com">http://www.msn.com</A>
>
PORAS P.SAKLATWALLA
TEL :5773535/3636
EXT :4226/4232/4237
Hi,
Since when has 6529 Udyan Express to Bangalore become double headed ?
Do
you mean to say that it runs double headed from Pune to Bangalore and
vice
versa ?
From: Anne Ogborn <>
Subject: Fedex/UPS/etc. [off topic]
Date: 26 May 1999 23:37:25 -0500
Hi folks - sorry for posting something a bit
off topic, but I could use some help.
I'm trying to arrange a visit to the USA by some
of my guru-bhai's and need to send some paperwork
for last=minute visa stuff. If there's anybody on
this list who can suggest the best way of getting something
to India within 2-3 days could they please email
me off list. I would be quite grateful.
Now, back to the trains.
Annie
From: poras p.saklatwalla <>
Subject: Re: I am going to Madras (fwd)
Date: 26 May 1999 23:37:55 -0500
After which stn is the > Krishna >Bridge ?
PORAS P.SAKLATWALLA
TEL :5773535/3636
EXT :4226/4232/4237
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From: Vijay Balasubramanian <vijay_642@hotmail.email
To: pps@godrej.email irfca@cs.email
Cc: pushkar_apte@hotmail.email
Date: Wed, 26 May 1999 07:58:02 PDT
Subject: Re: I am going to Madras
>
>Fun as it would be I am just thinking if I am able to stay awake on the
>pune - sholapur run and enjoy the non stop ride. I am in S-9 coach,
I hope this does not spoil your fun but the ride is not non-stop -
the Chennai exp. stops for 1-2 crossings in between. Have to check
my CR WTT for the details.
which
>means only at Pune and at Renigunta will I be able to go near the loco
and
>see a loco change. ELECTRIC (DC)- DIESEL- ELECTRIC (AC)
>The group is invited to send their interesting observations which I can
>see at wayside stns at Pune- Wadi - Guntakul - Gooty- Cuddapah and
>Renigunta. On my previous two visits I got a WAP 4 from Ghaziabad and
>once on 6011 got a WAM 4 from Arakkonam Jn.
Here are some things to look forward to -
1. Crossing the double-headed Karnataka exp. just before Gulbarga.
If you are lucky, you may meet this train at Gulbarga itself.
2. Crossing the double-headed Udyan Exp. just after Wadi. Again if
your train is late by 15-20 mts. and the Udyan is on time, you will
meet this train at Wadi itself.
3. Doubling in progress between Daund and Gangapur Rd. (anything
happening here?)
4. Electrification in progress between Guntakal and Renigunta (have
the poles been laid out?)
5. Crossing the Chennai-Tirupati Exp. between Renigunta and Arakkonam
- this train should be a Push-Pull rake with distinctive livery.
6. Crossing the Krishna river just after Krishna station and
encountering the Thermal power plant after the bridge.
7. Watching the soil color change to brown-red somewhere between
Raichur and Adoni because of significant iron content - laterite
soils.
8. Guntakal - WDM2 loco shed, MG rolling stock.
9. Gooty - WDG2(?) loco shed.
10. If you are like me, you would be elated by important stations
being ignored by this train - Daund, Gooty and Arakkonam.
>
>Coming to the regular mails that I have been reading MCT- ADI Shatabdi
is
>the slowest Shatabdi in this country. The problem is Gujrat Express
It is nowhere close to the slowest - it is only one among four Shatabdis
in the country to touch 120 kmph. speeds (Bhopal, Kanpur and Bokaro
Shatabdis go till 130/140). It manages to cross the 70 kmph. mark as
far as commercial speed is concerned - not all Shatabdis do that. It's
only 'blackmark' is the overdose of halts - 7 halts for just 492 km.
If one goes by the commercial speed, the slowest Shatabdi is the Pune
Shatabdi - 57.6 kmph - understandably so b'coz of the Ghats. Next is
the Dehra Dun Shatabdi at 58.15 kmph.
>
>I suggest that a train to ADI be started from MCT at 6.50 so that it
can
>reach ADI in 7hrs and return the prestigious Shatabdi to its normal
>status. On the return this train can Start from ADI at 3.30pm and
reach
>Mumbai by 10.30 pm.
Amen to that!!!
Vijay
_______________________________________________________________
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From: Apurva Bahadur <>
Subject: Re: Rlys. introduces accident relief vans
Date: 26 May 1999 23:39:41 -0500
Dear Auro,
AFAIK these are the new family of self propelled vehicles. That includes
self
propelled medical relief train, accident relief train, tool van and
overhead
caternary maintenance vehicle. These are similar to a DMU, and can
rapidly start and
move on their own power to reach any disaster site as fast as possible.
We should
also include the self propelled diesel cranes which are initially
imported from
Germany (Gottwald - correct spelling ?) and now are manufactured in
India at the
Jamalpur works of the ER. Earlier (even today !) a dedicated rake had to
be stabled
on a siding whose exit was not blocked by any other load. But as soon as
a disaster
warning sounded, a loco would have to be procured and attached to the
rake and then
only could it move. In future it is a matter of only turning the key and
off you go.
My cousin is a doctor with the Byculla Railway hospital (one medical
relief train is
stabled at Byculla) and he told me that the one thing all doctors dread
is the
disaster warning bell. Once this bell is sounded, all doctors and other
para medical
staff, whether on duty or off duty have to assemble at a prearranged
point within 15
minutes or face dismissal.
Even worst is the case of the existing steam cranes which needs a
minimum of 2 hours
of firing before a reasonable pressure can be built in the boiler.
I remember a classic scene where the accident relief train from Daund
Jn. coasted
through Pune Jn. It had just rained and we had a spectacular sunset in
the
background, the 65 tonne steam crane "Bhimsen" was at the rear of the
rake,
sounding its own steam whistle (WG type single note, not the WP type
rounded sound).
What a sight that was !
Apurva
Auroprem Kandaswami wrote:
> NEW DELHI, MAY 26. The railways has
operationalised five
> high- speed accident relief vans
> to reach the accident site quickly. These
high-tech vans
> will replace the existing ones which
> have design defects. The indigenously manufactured
> twin-coach sets with fully equipped
> operation theaters and 12 beds are part of the 28
vans
> planned to be stationed in various
> parts of the country.
>
> Both the coaches of each set have self propelling
power
> equipment so that the unit can move
> in either direction, thus eliminating delays in
reaching the
> accident site as they do not have
> to wait for locomotive attachment. The vans can
run at 100
> kmph and cost Rs. 2 crores each.
>
> The first five vans will be positioned on
southern,
> northern, central, north-eastern and
> south-eastern railway zones.
>
> ***
From: poras p.saklatwalla <>
Subject: Re: I am going to Madras (fwd)
Date: 26 May 1999 23:42:57 -0500
Gang,
Why is it that the DDN - NDLS shatabdi is the slowest. For what reason
?
Is it atleast faster than the 4241 Mussoorie Exp and 9019 DDN express or
is it even slower than these trains ? What route does it take ? I
believe there are two routes and which one is better ? I travelled to
Mussoorie by Mussorie exp in Dec 1983. so I do not recollect anything
except the fact that it was freezing cold in Delhi and thru out the
journey I was running to the toilet.
PORAS P.SAKLATWALLA
TEL :5773535/3636
EXT :4226/4232/4237
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Wed, 26 May 1999 07:58:02 PDT
From: Vijay Balasubramanian <vijay_642@hotmail.email
To: pps@godrej.email irfca@cs.email
Cc: pushkar_apte@hotmail.email
Date: Wed, 26 May 1999 07:58:02 PDT
Subject: Re: I am going to Madras
>
>Fun as it would be I am just thinking if I am able to stay awake on the
>pune - sholapur run and enjoy the non stop ride. I am in S-9 coach,
I hope this does not spoil your fun but the ride is not non-stop -
the Chennai exp. stops for 1-2 crossings in between. Have to check
my CR WTT for the details.
which
>means only at Pune and at Renigunta will I be able to go near the loco
and
>see a loco change. ELECTRIC (DC)- DIESEL- ELECTRIC (AC)
>The group is invited to send their interesting observations which I can
>see at wayside stns at Pune- Wadi - Guntakul - Gooty- Cuddapah and
>Renigunta. On my previous two visits I got a WAP 4 from Ghaziabad and
>once on 6011 got a WAM 4 from Arakkonam Jn.
Here are some things to look forward to -
1. Crossing the double-headed Karnataka exp. just before Gulbarga.
If you are lucky, you may meet this train at Gulbarga itself.
2. Crossing the double-headed Udyan Exp. just after Wadi. Again if
your train is late by 15-20 mts. and the Udyan is on time, you will
meet this train at Wadi itself.
3. Doubling in progress between Daund and Gangapur Rd. (anything
happening here?)
4. Electrification in progress between Guntakal and Renigunta (have
the poles been laid out?)
5. Crossing the Chennai-Tirupati Exp. between Renigunta and Arakkonam
- this train should be a Push-Pull rake with distinctive livery.
6. Crossing the Krishna river just after Krishna station and
encountering the Thermal power plant after the bridge.
7. Watching the soil color change to brown-red somewhere between
Raichur and Adoni because of significant iron content - laterite
soils.
8. Guntakal - WDM2 loco shed, MG rolling stock.
9. Gooty - WDG2(?) loco shed.
10. If you are like me, you would be elated by important stations
being ignored by this train - Daund, Gooty and Arakkonam.
>
>Coming to the regular mails that I have been reading MCT- ADI Shatabdi
is
>the slowest Shatabdi in this country. The problem is Gujrat Express
It is nowhere close to the slowest - it is only one among four Shatabdis
in the country to touch 120 kmph. speeds (Bhopal, Kanpur and Bokaro
Shatabdis go till 130/140). It manages to cross the 70 kmph. mark as
far as commercial speed is concerned - not all Shatabdis do that. It's
only 'blackmark' is the overdose of halts - 7 halts for just 492 km.
If one goes by the commercial speed, the slowest Shatabdi is the Pune
Shatabdi - 57.6 kmph - understandably so b'coz of the Ghats. Next is
the Dehra Dun Shatabdi at 58.15 kmph.
>
>I suggest that a train to ADI be started from MCT at 6.50 so that it
can
>reach ADI in 7hrs and return the prestigious Shatabdi to its normal
>status. On the return this train can Start from ADI at 3.30pm and
reach
>Mumbai by 10.30 pm.
Amen to that!!!
Vijay
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From: hvc <>
Subject: Dehradun Shatabdi.
Date: 27 May 1999 01:14:46 -0500
>Why is it that the DDN - NDLS shatabdi is the slowest. For what reason
?
>Is it atleast faster than the 4241 Mussoorie Exp and 9019 DDN express
or
>is it even slower than these trains ? What route does it take ? I
>believe there are two routes and which one is better ? I travelled to
>Mussoorie by Mussorie exp in Dec 1983. so I do not recollect anything
>except the fact that it was freezing cold in Delhi and thru out the
>journey I was running to the toilet.
>
Dehradun Shatabdi runs mostly on single line track between Ghaziabad -
Saharanpur and then Laksar and Dehradun. It has a 20 Min. reversing halt
at
SPN. Plus between Haridwar and Dehradun is the Rajaji National Park
which is
a Elephant corridor and all trains have a speed restriction of 40 Kmph.
Twice when I was on this train it ran down a couple of Blue Bulls and
damaged the Airbrake equipment causing delay of 40 Min. and 1 Hr.
respectively. Lovely area for footplating though.
The two routes are :
- Delhi Jn. - Ghaziabad - Mujaffarnagar - Saharanpur - Roorkee -
Haridwar -
Dehradun
- Delhi Jn. - Ghaziabad - Gajraula - Bijnor - Najibabad - Laksar -
Haridwar - Dehradun
Though the latter is shorter, speedwise the the former is a bit better
but
in effect both are equally bad. Shatabdi, DDN - Ujjain, Dehradun Exp. go
via
Saharanpur which is a bigger town than most others enroute. Only
Mussorie
Exp. from Delhi takes the other route.
Harsh
From: Apurva Bahadur <>
Subject: Re: I am going to Madras
Date: 27 May 1999 01:25:31 -0500
Vijay Balasubramanian wrote:
> >
> >Fun as it would be I am just thinking if I am able to stay awake on
the
> >pune - sholapur run and enjoy the non stop ride. I am in S-9 coach,
>
> I hope this does not spoil your fun but the ride is not non-stop -
> the Chennai exp. stops for 1-2 crossings in between. Have to check
> my CR WTT for the details.
I remember coming back from MAS to PA on the 6064 Up in 1995. I had a
first class coupe to myself and the train worked non stop from SUR to
PA, but then there were a number of crossings for which the Dn. trains
were halted. I really loved lying down on the generous 1st class berth
and watching the world go by (even in the night) through the wide window
while we were competently hauled by the Gooty WDM 2.
Watch out for dacoits and armed robbers in the Daund - Wadi section !
Apurva
From: Apurva Bahadur <>
Subject: Re: I am going to Madras
Date: 27 May 1999 01:35:31 -0500
> If one goes by the commercial speed, the slowest Shatabdi is the Pune
Shatabdi - 57.6 kmph - understandably so b'coz of the Ghats. Next is
the Dehra Dun Shatabdi at 58.15 kmph.
Although Pune - Mumbai is 192 Kms, please calculate the ghats (33 Kms
long) by the railway's own thumb rule as being 5 times that distance.
The ghat (banker) drivers get 5 times the mileage for every Km covered.
Apurva
From: Anand Krishnan <>
Subject: Re: I am going to Madras
Date: 27 May 1999 02:01:46 -0500
Hi all,
>I do not know if TiruMayilai-Velachery section is already completed
>or commissioned. Someone from Chennai should be able to fill us
>on this. I am very sure there is NO DIRECT Service from Chennai
>Central to MRTS (at least there were none last year).
>
Thirumayilai-Velachery stretch is not yet complete. it seems
the date given is December 2000 for commissioning when i last heard of
it. Currently all the pillars needed for the elevation have been
installed and the iron girders and the masts are being put in place.
Work is going on full steam to complete the bridge (new) across the big
Adyar river, before the monsoon, as this one usually is in spate. L&T
have got a huge work place on the banks of this river in Kotturpuram to
provide the necessary building blocks for the bridge. Will let u know as
and when i get some inputs.
Happy journey and trainspotting Poras. Enjoy. Dont forget your camera.
We all would like to share your joy of travelling.
REgards,
Anand
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From: Apurva Bahadur <>
Subject: Re: I am going to Madras
Date: 27 May 1999 02:04:29 -0500
> Hi,
> Since when has 6529 Udyan Express to Bangalore become double headed ?
Do
> you mean to say that it runs double headed from Pune to Bangalore and
vice
> versa ?
The 18 - 19 coach Udyan runs single headed from Pune to Solapur. 4 more
coaches are attached at SUR and the single headed power is replaced by a
MUed pair. Thus the 6529/30 runs double headed between SUR and SBC. I
suppose this is the case for the last 15 years of so. Now I am beginning
to wonder if the KK and Udyan can actually share a rake in their
link, since the KK does not run with its distinctive blue livery and
both are vacuum braked stock even today.
It is a practice by the unofficial 'travel agents' in Pune to give a
Pune - Gulbarga, Gulbarga - Bangalore tickets to travelers who do not
get through reservation tickets from Pune to Bangalore. At Gulbarga
these travelers rush from their coach with luggage and family to seek
accommodation in the Gulbarga quota coach right at the head of the
train. This
is in the one of the 4 coaches attached at SUR. Maybe if a knowledgeable
person (me ?) gets into these situations, then the 'Gulbarga quota'
coach can be boarded at Solapur itself where the train waits for 30
minutes instead of rushing in the 3 minutes at Gulbarga.
Apurva
From: hvc <>
Subject: FAQ - Trivia : More(was Re: long distance MG)
Date: 27 May 1999 02:29:37 -0500
>In the November 1980 timetable 17/18 Vaishali Exp is shown as operaing
>Siliguri-Kasganj, 1147 kms, rather than to/from Agra ( an extra 167
>kms).
>In 1981 17/18 was cut back to Siliguri-Barauni while 15/16
>Gauhati-Varanasi was introduced.
>
My '77 TT shows both the above trains running full distance. 15/16
between
Lucknow and Gauhati and 17/18 between Agra and Siliguri. In July '78, I
have travelled on the top of A.T. Mail between Lucknow and Gorakhpur.
*****
How about the longest halt on IR. My candidate is 2311 UP Kalka mail
which
has a scheduled halt of 2 Hrs. 55 Min. at Delhi Jn. The Kalka mail is a
superfast and I doubt if even any passenger train could beat that.
Harsh
From: hvc <>
Subject: Re: 2nd longest MG run
Date: 27 May 1999 03:04:12 -0500
>Guess what?!! There is a direct MG train from Samastipur to Tezpur -
the
>5716 exp. (from Samastipur to Tezpur) covers the 1022 km. distance in
about
>33 1/2 hrs. - commercial speed 30.51 kmph!! The 5715 exp. takes a
couple
of
>hours more. So, this should be the 2nd longest MG run on IR. Of
course,
>this info. is from the Dec. 1998 Bradshaw, things could have changed
since
>then. The route followed is -
>Samastipur-Khagaria-Mansi-Saharsa-Purnia-Katihar-Siliguri-New
>Bongaigaon-Rangiya-Rangapara North-Tezpore. This takes a circuitous
path
>from Samastipur to Katihar after which it is more or less parallel to
the
BG
>line till Rangiya.
>
OK, I've just laid hands on the NER Aug '98 TT. It clearly mentions that
5715/6 now runs between Samastipur and Alipurduar only. I think this is
the
conclusive evidence.
Clearly, the IR TAAG is spinning some old yarn and it seems that
Bradshaw
and other
private TTs are blindly propagating the back dated stuff. Even the
timings
mentioned for this train have not been correct for last two years.
The distance between Samastipur and Alipurduar is only 657 Km.
Hope this clarifies the matter.
Harsh