IRFCA Mailing List Archive


Messages 2821 - 2840

From: Anne O. <anniepoo@netmagic.email

Subject: Re: FAQ

Date: 11 Jun 1998 19:37:00 -0500


> - Where to get tickets, timetables, maps etc. (especially tourist tickets)

Hmm, one of us videshi's should write a paragraph on surviving a trip on
the Bha. Re.

First time I ever took an overnight trip, I didn't take any bedding (and
we travelled 3 tier).

>From Annie's journal, the entry titled "Cool RR Info"

What the classes actually mean.
1A = AC 1st class
2A = AC/ 2 Tier

etc.

Howrah to Ahmedabad is down direction

8^)

From: Anne O. <anniepoo@netmagic.email

Subject: Re: FAQ

Date: 11 Jun 1998 19:40:00 -0500


I also have the notes about Railfanning in Delhi that people were kind
enough to give me when I took off for India last fall.

From: Apurva Bahadur <iti@giaspn01.email

Subject: The correct open letter to everyone

Date: 13 Jun 1998 04:29:00 -0500


Sorry I sent the wrong open letter, please read the following.

Hello Gang !

I must thank each and every one of you for your comments and
suggestions about my KK at Daund webpage.
One thing I particularly enjoy are train pictures on the desktop
wallpaper. I have scanned some of my pictures to a larger size so as to
enable
junta to make use these pictures, if they want to. I have frequently got
frustrated by a small and low resolution picture which I wanted to
'wallpaper' but could not.
I have been asked by some to reduce the size of the images, do you
suggest I go for smaller pictures ?
Major Confession - My enthusiasm for all things railways is way way over
learning HTML. My need to share out my stuff is also way over learning
to make a proper presentation. I have Frontpage 98, Hot Metal 2, HTMLED
32 and my Word 95 has a HTML plug in. I cannot effectively use any one
of these (yet !) to make a good webpage. For image editing I use
Paintshop Pro 4 and I have an Artek 30 bit flatbed scanner. Another
problem is that the scanner is in the office while the webpage is
written at home AND the demoralizing lack of time !
So at the moment please bear with me while I crawl with my education of
HTML. These pages are all temporary and will be replaced by much higher
quality pages as soon as something better comes up. Prakash Tendulkar is
already working on 'educating Apurva' and I think over the weekend we
will see some minor miracles of good presentations from him.

Thanks once again for your response

Apurva Bahadur

From: S. Kumar <s.kumar@qm.email

Subject: report on Chennai

Date: 12 Jun 1998 20:14:00 -0500


Hi:

Here is a report on my recent India trip.

I did manage to do some train travel; Chennai to Bangalore, Bangalore
to Trichy and Trichy to Chennai.

The gauge conversion work between Chennai and Trichy is in full
swing. Chennai Beach to Tambaram has been completed for some time,
and one has the occasional BG EMU running from
Gummidipundi/Avadi/Thirumailai/Beach to Tambaram (typically 1-2 times a
day). Stations on the BG line between Egmore and Tambaram are
Kodambakkam, Mambalam and Guindy. I think there is also one in St.
Thomas Mount. The bulk of the commuter traffic on this section is
still carried by the MG EMU's.
On the Egmore-Tambaram section, there are four tracks, all
electrified: two for MG suburban, one for MG long distance, and the
BG line.
Conversion work is in progress in Egmore station; and I saw at least
a couple of platforms being readied for BG trains (these appear to be
the closest to the station entrance, for those familiar with Egmore).
Conversion also has begun in the Tambaram yard, and is in full swing
at Trichy Junction. This has resulted in the suspension of the
automatic signalling system, with hand signals being used at these
stations and the resultant delays in the movement of the trains.

Tambaram-Chengalpattu has a double MG line and an almost complete
parallel BG line (again conversion work on platforms is going on in
Chengalpattu). A separate set of fairly frequent (20-30mts) MG EMU's
run between Tambaram and Chengalpattu; unfortunately one has to
change EMUs in Tambaram to go to Egmore or Beach. Similar story on
the Chengalpattu-Villupuram section as far as conversion. Track
laying of the parallel BG line is almost complete with some unfinished sections. Almost all
the bridges have been built; however I am not sure if the BG line
will be electrified (the MG line is).

Since all trains are currently diverted via the Trichy-Villupuram
main line, I didn't get to see the conversion on the
Trichy-Villupuram chord section. I did get a glimpse from the road
in Srirangam and in Uttamar Koil; it appears that the track laying is
complete, at least near Trichy. Note that Trichy-Villupuram is a
straight conversion; there will be no parallel MG line.

It is expected that the conversion will be finished in 2-4 months,
after which the Trichy-Dindigul section will be taken up for straight
conversion. The hope is that Chennai-Trichy-Dindigul will be BG by
the end of the year or at least before the next railway budget.
Personally I am thrilled to see that finally one of the busiest and
best run MG trunk lines is getting its fair share in terms of
conversion to BG.

Under pressure from Jayalalitha, three other projects in TN have been
included in the budget: (a) conversion of the Trichy-Villupuram main
line, (b) a new Salem-Karur BG line and (c) the long, long, overdue
conversion of the Beach-Tambaram MG suburban section. Nothing has
irritated me more than the reluctance of the railways to convert the
Beach-Tambaram suburban section. Their argument that the line is
non-remunerative is hogwash. Suburban lines are almost never profit
making. And maybe if the railways cancel some of the loss-making
fancy trains from Delhi and elsewhere, they can find money to help
commuters in Chennai, Mumbai and elsewhere. Since no new MG EMU's
are being made, the MG system is starting to go downhill. It is time
for conversion to BG.

Some other info:

Trains run about every 30-60 mts between Thirumailai and Beach. One
can inhale the lovely fragrance of the Cooum river on these BG EMU's
for part of the route.

The Bangalore-Trichy express runs via the recently converted
Hosur-Dharmapuri route to Salem. I believe 4-5 trains run this route
including a daytime Intercity express between Coimbatore and
Bangalore.

More later.

Kumar

From: sank <sank@telco.email

Subject: Re: The correct open letter to everyone

Date: 13 Jun 1998 17:16:00 -0500


> I have been asked by some to reduce the size of the images, do you
> suggest I go for smaller pictures ?

Would it be possible for you to have TWO optional sizes for
each image, each downlodable thru thumbnails ? This would give
the viewer a choice. I would be happy if you managed to keep
the large pictures available, as they are just TOO good; but
for those of us who have limited bandwidth/screen res, a
smaller image size option would help.

--
Jayant S : ID Studio
Tata Technologies India Limited
Telco Premises : Pimpri TEL: 91 (212) 774261 ex 2534
PUNE : 411 018 : INDIA FAX: 91 (212) 773191

From: sank <sank@telco.email

Subject: Rod-drive Electric

Date: 13 Jun 1998 17:25:00 -0500


This is in response to the query posted by
Poras a few days ago concerning the strange
rod-driven electric locomotive he saw.

These were supplied to the GIPR from 1928
for use on the Bombay-Poona section on
heavy freights. The first ten were made
at the Swiss Locomotive Works, Winterthur;
and another 31 at the Vulcan Foundry, UK.
All electrical gear was supplied by
Metropolitan-Vickers of Manchester. They
had four 650 hp motors driving two
3-axle bogies through connecting rods.
Under IR they are classified WCG1.

These locomotives were based on the
Swiss 'Crocodile' types which ran sucessfully
on Alpine MG and standard gauge lines.

I last saw them a few years ago shunting
at BBVT (Are they still in operation ?)
Sir Leslie Wilson is preserved at the
NRM.

--
Jayant S : ID Studio
Tata Technologies India Limited
Telco Premises : Pimpri TEL: 91 (212) 774261 ex 2534
PUNE : 411 018 : INDIA FAX: 91 (212) 773191

From: Apurva Bahadur <iti@giaspn01.email

Subject: WDM2 cab pictures webpage

Date: 14 Jun 1998 09:33:00 -0500


Hello my fellow railnuts !

Come and see my newest webpage on the pictures of the WDM2 cab.

Apurva Bahadur

From: Apurva Bahadur <iti@giaspn01.email

Subject: WDM2 cab pictures

Date: 14 Jun 1998 10:00:00 -0500


The URL to my new webpage of WDM2 cab pictures is:
<A HREF="http://members.tripod.com/~ApuB/Cab_Pix.htm">http://members.tripod.com/~ApuB/Cab_Pix.htm</A>

Sorry I forgot to mention it in the last mail !

Apurva Bahadur

From: sank <sank@telco.email

Subject: Query

Date: 14 Jun 1998 18:58:00 -0500


This one is bothering me of late:

When two lococs are MUed together, how do
you ensure they are SHARING the drawbar load ?
If both were moving at identical speeds, there
there would be no tension in the coupling
between them, causing the entire load to
be taken up by the trailing unit.

Also: how did steam crews accurately control
double-headed locos in the absence of
MU gear ?

--
Jayant S : ID Studio
Tata Technologies India Limited
Telco Premises : Pimpri TEL: 91 (212) 774261 ex 2534
PUNE : 411 018 : INDIA FAX: 91 (212) 773191

From: Anne O. <anniepoo@netmagic.email

Subject: Re: Query

Date: 13 Jun 1998 19:55:00 -0500


sank@telco.email wrote:
>
> This one is bothering me of late:
>
> When two lococs are MUed together, how do
> you ensure they are SHARING the drawbar load ?
> If both were moving at identical speeds, there
> there would be no tension in the coupling
> between them, causing the entire load to
> be taken up by the trailing unit.
>
> Also: how did steam crews accurately control
> double-headed locos in the absence of
> MU gear ?
>
> --
> Jayant S : ID Studio
> Tata Technologies India Limited
> Telco Premises : Pimpri TEL: 91 (212) 774261 ex 2534
> PUNE : 411 018 : INDIA FAX: 91 (212) 773191

Forgive the Americanisms in this description:

It's not true that two units moving at identical speeds must have 0
drawbar tension. Remember that the units don't rigidly move at a given
speed, they exert a drawbar pull.
Suppose you and your friend drag a rock by both pulling on a rope. You
both exert a force, and if the rock is moving it's through a distance,
so by definition you both do work.

Actually, they don't share the load equally. I've run a steam engine
double heading, and the technique for running is for the rear unit to
watch the drawbar slack between the front and rear units. When the rear
engineer sees the slack draw in, he or she closes the throttle or
shortens the cutoff.

For starting, the rear unit lets the lead unit start the train, then
cuts in as the slack is running out. This is what the engineer on the
lead unit experiences as the train is started:
The lead unit starts moving and the inter-unit slack runs out. The
trailing unit begins to move. The trailing unit hears the "boom" sound
as the slack pulls out for a few cars, then opens his/her throttle,
usually trying to play the "weaker" of the engines.

It's hard on the engines (and crews!!) to get knocked around, and hard
to control the train as well, if the trailing unit is taking the entire
train load and letting the slack run in on the inter-unit drawbar. A
good helper engine engineer will keep the slack out between the engines.
This takes some skill and knowledge of that section of the road, as
he/she has to anticipate when the lead engine will slow down. It's a
little like "tailgating" a car.

The brakes are controlled by the lead engine. There's a valve to put the
trailing unit in a mode where it acts like any other car.

MU cables don't actually carry the current to drive the motors. They
carry a control signal that controls the contactor usually controlled by
the master lever.

In the early days of diesels the contactors on all the units simply
imitated each other. Today it's easier for the engineer, with computers.
The first unit winds up first and the last unit winds down first when
the MU lashup is unloaded.

And MU'ed units invariably have tight-lock couplers.

Hmm -- if somebody out there is able, it'd be great to have an Indian RR
Jargon/ British RR Jargon/ American RR jargon dictionary.

From: Ravi Joshi <ravi_jo@usa.email

Subject: Introducing myself

Date: 14 Jun 1998 20:18:00 -0500


To the members of IRFCA

A few days back Apurva Bahadur introduced me to this group. I would now
like to introduce myself to everyone.

My father Mr. B.S. Joshi or Bhau as he is normally known has been an avid
collector of model trains and all things railway from his childhood and he
has passed on his hobby to me also. We have recently started the Joshi's
Museum of Miniature Railways (details at
<A HREF="http://www.geocities.com/Broadway/Stage/4560/index.htm">http://www.geocities.com/Broadway/Stage/4560/index.htm</A> )
I have done my doctorate in communication studies from the University of
Pune and am presently a partner in our own family business "Soudamini
Instruments" where we manufacture electromagnetic relays and safety devices
for deisel engines (not the railroad type but those used in power
generation etc)
I hope to be able to share lots of railway related information with you
all in the future. Do visit our museum whenever you are in Pune

Dr. Ravi Joshi

:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)
Dr. Ravi Joshi
17/1 B/2 G.A.Kulkarni Road
Kothrud, Pune 411 029, INDIA
Phone : +91-212-335378 FAX +91-212-331165
email : ravi_jo@usa.email

Joshi's Museum of Miniature Railways
URL : <A HREF="http://www.geocities.com/Broadway/Stage/4560/index.htm">http://www.geocities.com/Broadway/Stage/4560/index.htm</A>
:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

From: sank <sank@telco.email

Subject: Re: Query

Date: 14 Jun 1998 21:34:00 -0500


> Forgive the Americanisms in this description:
.........
> Hmm -- if somebody out there is able, it'd be great to have an Indian RR
> Jargon/ British RR Jargon/ American RR jargon dictionary.

Thanks for the explanation. No, the Americanisms didn't
throw me (too much browsing on American RR sites :)....
but an interjargon dictionary sounds like a great idea.
Coule we start putting in terminology if someone out
there can put it up on a website ?

--
Jayant S : ID Studio
Tata Technologies India Limited
Telco Premises : Pimpri TEL: 91 (212) 774261 ex 2534
PUNE : 411 018 : INDIA FAX: 91 (212) 773191

From: Anne O. <anniepoo@netmagic.email

Subject: Re: Query

Date: 13 Jun 1998 20:56:00 -0500


sank@telco.email wrote:
>
> > Forgive the Americanisms in this description:
> .........
> > Hmm -- if somebody out there is able, it'd be great to have an Indian RR
> > Jargon/ British RR Jargon/ American RR jargon dictionary.
>
> ....
> but an interjargon dictionary sounds like a great idea.
> Coule we start putting in terminology if someone out
> there can put it up on a website ?
>

We're already putting up a FAQ for this list. S Pai
is preparing it and I'm going to turn it into HTML & put it up on
my ISP. Siddhartha Joshi is coordinating.
Would you be willing to compile the list??

From: Anne O. <anniepoo@netmagic.email

Subject: Re: Introducing myself

Date: 13 Jun 1998 20:58:00 -0500


We have recently started the Joshi's
> Museum of Miniature Railways (details at
> <A HREF="http://www.geocities.com/Broadway/Stage/4560/index.htm">http://www.geocities.com/Broadway/Stage/4560/index.htm</A> )


Now I gotta go to Pune next trip.

From: GOODWIN ALCO <alco@planet.email

Subject: Re: MOTIVE POWER MAGAZINE

Date: 15 Jun 1998 08:40:00 -0500


Hi Guys,
I have been asked by a friend, who I am helping to put together
a new magazine with, to tell you of a new magazine coming out in August.
The magazine called Motive Power will be an A4 size publication with
lots of loco info and photos. He is hoping to do something completely
different for rail publications in this country.
The content will be 90% Australian and 10% overseas and he is
currently seaking people interested in contributing photos/info etc for
inclusion.
He is also looking for people who would like to edit a small section
on their particular country for each issue.
Please feel free to contact him "Stuart Ellis" at

festy@terrigal.email

he would love to hear from you.
Best Wishes
Brad Peadon
Alcos International

From: Apurva Bahadur <iti@giaspn01.email

Subject: Multiple Unit operation

Date: 15 Jun 1998 02:32:00 -0500


Hi Gang,

I seem to recollect details of a system called 'Locotrol' by which locos
lashed up together are not electrically connected to each other. The
trailing loco react to the drawbar pull by electronic means and adjust
the power level
accordingly. This enables the slave locos to be placed in the middle of
the train rather than all at the head end. Have any of you got more
details ?

As far as the 'wired' MU operation is concerned, each loco opens up the
same power and hence the net balance is maintained. Someone told me that
if two locos are lashed together, the power generated by them is 1.6
times and not twice.

Apurva Bahadur

From: Donald L. Mills, Jr <dmills@MARSHALL.email

Subject: Re: The Hindu

Date: 14 Jun 1998 18:50:00 -0500


What is meant by keeping the sentiments of the people in mind? Are these
trains now named after people or cities/twons? Don in WV

----------
> From: Auroprem Kandaswami <kandaswa@apple.email
> To: irfca <irfca@cs.email
> Subject: Three trains renamed
> Date: Tuesday, June 09, 1998 5:57 PM
>
>
> Courtesy: The Hindu
>
> NEW DELHI, June 9.
>
> The Railways had decided to rename three important trains by
> adding names of those States or Union Territories, whose names
> do not figure in the map of the railways.
>
> Announcing the new names while replying to the discussion on the
> Railway Budget in the Lok Sabha, the Railway Minister, Mr.
> Nitish Kumar, said three train names had been changed keeping
> the sentiments of the people in mind.
>
> He said the Hazrat Nizamuddin-Cochin Mangala Express had been
> renamed as Mangala Lakshadweep Express; the New Delhi- New
> Jalpaiguri Mahananda Express would be called Mahananda Sikkim
> Express. Likewise, the Jammu Tawi-Chennai Express had been
> renamed as Andaman Express.
>
> ***

From: Apurva Bahadur <iti@giaspn01.email

Subject: Re: Multiple Unit operation

Date: 15 Jun 1998 16:59:00 -0500


Thanks Doug,
I am forwarding your letter so all gang can see it as well

Apurva Bahadur

Doug Cummings wrote:

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Apurva Bahadur <iti@giaspn01.email
> To: Indian Railways Info Zone <irfca@cs.email
> Date: Sunday, June 14, 1998 4:29 AM
> Subject: Multiple Unit operation
>
> >Hi Gang,
> >
> >I seem to recollect details of a system called 'Locotrol' by which locos
> >lashed up together are not electrically connected to each other. The
> >trailing loco react to the drawbar pull by electronic means and adjust
> >the power level
> >accordingly. This enables the slave locos to be placed in the middle of
> >the train rather than all at the head end. Have any of you got more
> >details ?
>
> Before Locotrol one railroad tried the strain gauge method and it failed
> miserably. Locotrol was developed and is basically a radio controlled MU
> system, the remotes can be set to do whatever the head end (lead) locomotive
> does or the head end engineer can control the slave(s) separately.
>
> As far as two locos in MU working together, it is the same as two people
> holding hands and pulling on something, i.e. helping a third person up a
> hill.

From: Apurva Bahadur <iti@giaspn01.email

Subject: Re: Dead Man's pedal

Date: 15 Jun 1998 17:07:00 -0500


Anne O. wrote:

> Apurva Bahadur wrote:
> >
> > Hi Anne,
> >
> > Great wonderful description of the steam MU process. Have you seen my new
> > website of WDM2 cab pictures ?
> > <A HREF="http://members.tripod.com/~ApuB/Cab_Pix.htm">http://members.tripod.com/~ApuB/Cab_Pix.htm</A>
>
> Just looked at it (no time last few days).
>
> I really like cab interior shots. Unfortunately, even when railfans get
> cab rides they rarely take cab interior shots.
>
> >From your page:
>
> > The padded seat is a rare sight, normally it is a bare wooden stool.
>
> In the US the law requires engines to have a "dead man" switch, a pedal
> that the driver has to keep his/her foot on to keep the engine from
> moving to idle. That stool looks like it'd be an unsteady place to drive
> from. Do the driver's hang onto something?
>

Indian locos had a dead man's device but was removed, also the assistant driver
in the cab is supposed to make the cab a safe place if the driver becomes
incapacitated. In 'one operator' trains line EMUs and DMUs the master
controller itself has to be held down against spring pressure so as to
duplicate a dead man's device. Even the wooden stool in the WDM 2 is not
uncofortable. After all the WDM2 driver is usually toughie ex steam guy who is
used to standing up for 8 - 10 hours and driving. Some AC electric drivers (WAM
4) and the EMU drivers drive standing up to prevent dozing off.

> I own the American equivilant of a Hasler, a Barco recording
> speedometer.

I will scan and post a circular recording disc from a Hasler very soon

>
>
> I'm scavenging some of your terms for the jargon dictionary being [ut
> togather. Hope that's OK.

Jargon is everyone's to use and adopt in daily life as well !

Apurva Bahadur

From: Apurva Bahadur <iti@giaspn01.email

Subject: My complete webpage at last

Date: 15 Jun 1998 18:06:00 -0500


Hello dear fellow Railnuts,

My site is ready at last, Praskash Tendulkar has slaved and laboured
over my random pictures and notes to assimilate everything in one good
place.
I am very grateful to him for all his help.

Please go to: <A HREF="http://members.tripod.com/~IRFC/">http://members.tripod.com/~IRFC/</A>

Let me know how you feel and also let Prakash Tendulkar
<prakash@us.email know about the navigation and layout.

Now, I need to put this site on the various railway link sites, where
do I start ? Tom , may put it up on the Alcohaul website and Steven may
also add the URL on his webpage. I request anyone else who has any other
suggestions about 'links' may either please enter the URL on my behalf
or email me on how to do so.

Thanks

Apurva Bahadur