Run - The inaugural run of the CBP - KQZ train.

Chikballapur station all decked up for the big day! (Pawan Koppa)

Entrance of the CBP station wasa fully decorated and painted as new. The old and the new station buildings have been merged, only in the same colour of paint! (Sant Kulk)

Large cutouts of politicians adorn the entrance to the station. (Pawan Koppa)

The train timings - 76551 SBC-CBP Passenger will continue onto Kolar as the new SBC-KQZ passenger departing after a 2 minute halt. In the return direction it will return as 76552 from Kolar and arrive at 15:53 at CBP and depart towards SBC after a 2 minut

Pooja being done! (Sant Kulk)

The Decorated DMU for the inaugural run. Wondering if any DMU in the entire IR got such reverence! (Sant Kulk)

The strange ways of station modelling - the old platform next to the main station building has been isolated while a new platform starts after the main building with the starter at its end. This is the starter towards Kolar. (Pawan Koppa)

Another look at the CBP station layout looking towards the Kolar end. A sandpit right next to the station building! (Pawan Koppa)

All bedecked and awaiting the arrival of the VIPs! (Pawan Koppa)

Here comes the Minister of Railways.. In grand style, Mu-ed WDM2s pull a 6 coacher train, the last coach of which was the MoR saloon. (Sant Kulk)

17502+17664 bring in the MR or RM Special (Railway Minister) into CBP. (Pawan Koppa)

The MR Special with a varied mix of coaches - 2S,SL,SLR,FC,Inspection car and Saloon! (Pawan Koppa)

And finally...the exclusive MR Saloon! (Pawan Koppa)

Another look at the MR Saloon coach. Strangely the flagging off did not happen at the station. The MR was driven to another campus nearby where the CM, Muniyappa and others joined him. From there the remote flagging off happened over walkie-talkie! (Pawan

The MR Special now reverses to the end of PF-1 to make way for the Inaugural train which would reverse from PF-2 to PF-1! (Pawan Koppa)

More poojas after the Inaugural Special DEMU is reversed onto PF-1! (Pawan Koppa)

A look at the DEMU on PF-1 where every inch of viewing space was taken up by public. At the far end of the DEMU was the RM Special which was parked a few meters behind. (Pawan Koppa)

A thank-you note at the rear end of the DEMU! (Pawan Koppa)

Here we go...or so we thought. The starter and advance starter turned Amber and Green respectively a good 1 hour before departure! Scheduled dep : 10:30 hrs, Actual : 12:30 hrs! (Pawan Koppa)

Soon we head off from CBP amid cheers of joy and whistles! (Pawan Koppa)

This is what accompanies you throughout the line - breathtaking views of fields, hills and pristine village life all around! (Pawan Koppa)

Look at that for a reception - as the DEMU enters Shidlaghatta station! (Pawan Koppa)

A train finally chugs into Sidlaghatta station after 17 years! Just see the enthusiasm amongst the people to catch a glimpse of the train! (Sant Kulk)

The crowd teeming, bursting, exploding all over - the RM special followed us after a few minutes into each station. The crowd were more eager to witness that than our Inaugural rake! The sequence was this - we arrive at station, wait few minutes, RM speci

How's that! A human box around our Inaugural DEMU! (Pawan Koppa)

A sea of humanity everywhere! (Pawan Koppa)

A DEMU never got so much attention ever! (Pawan Koppa)