IRFCA Mailing List Archive
Messages 5801 - 5820
From: Subir Das <>
Subject: Reply
Date: 14 Apr 1999 06:34:16 -0500
Hi!Sorry for being a bit rude and replying to you'll all together.(but
I'm really stuck for time at the moment).
Thanks for your respective mail.Photographs are not allowed of the
Calcutta metro due to some obscure government rule.(It applies to
airports,railway stations, radio stations etc)I give below some
interesting sites that I can remember off hand.
www.geocities.com/Paris/Metro/9406/asia/calcutta.htm
www.learninglane.com/Learning/india.html
www.pages cthome.net/india2/page43.html
www.westbengal.com
Hope these are of interest.If you ever need any information on Calcutta
feel free to write.
regards,
Subir Das
From: Apurva Bahadur <>
Subject: Re: Station Codes again
Date: 14 Apr 1999 08:29:17 -0500
Yes, today's ad in the TOI is a rich source of station codes. This ad (a
large ad for
WR and a smaller ad for CR has published a list of possible bogus
tickets / tickets
bought an some one elses name. The vigilance team of the railways has
appealed the
holder of the ticket to come with the ticket and some proof of identity.
Anyone not
coming forth with proof will have their ticket cancelled. This is a
mighty tough step.
You have a valuable ticket after much difficulty and then the railway
says that it
stands cancelled unless you can prove that you are really you. So you
waste additional
time and encounter red tape with some form of ID to prove your name. But
then no one
is crying about it, so I take it that these really are bogus tickets
procured in
collusion with the railway's own staff. There are 169 names in the WR
list and 16
names in the CR list. The CR list does not mention the station codes
while the WR
does. Here are a few samples in the attachment. Gang please help to fill
in the
blanks.
Apurva
> Apurva, Today's TOI has a advertisement calling in passengers who the
WR
> suspects to be dummy ones, for scrutiny of their reservations in
Summer
> rush. There under the column FROM it shows BDTS as Bandra and not BNDT
or
> BA as mentioned in earlier mails .
>
> Thats all ,
>
> Shrinivas
From: Vijay Balasubramanian <>
Subject: Re: Station Codes again
Date: 14 Apr 1999 12:52:52 -0500
Based on the train names and the respective routes they take, here are
my answers. I will dig into my Bradshaw and try to come up with a match
for the missing codes.
979 - ???? (misprint? could this be 9707?)
9707 - Bandra-Jaipur Exp. (via ADI)
2925 - Paschim Exp.
4708 - Bandra-Bikaner Exp.
4707 - Bikaner-Bandra Exp.
9031 - Kutch Exp.
9017 - Saurashtra Janata Exp.
9023 - Mumbai Firozpur Janata Exp.
9143 - Lokshakti Exp.
2855 - ???? (misprint? could this be 2955 or 2859-Gitanjali?)
2903 - Frontier Mail
2971 - ???? 2471 is Swaraj Exp. (has this been changed to 2971
recently?)
2955 - Mumbai-Jaipur Superfast Exp.
From To Train Explanation
BCT ABR 979 Mumbai Central (still BCT not MCT ?) to ABR (Abu Road
?) - correct
BCT SOH 979 SOH = Sirohi Road?
BCT FA 979 FA = Falna
(the above assumes that it is 9707 and not 979)
BDTS JWB 9707 JWB = Jawai Bandh (between Abu Rd. and Falna)
BCT JUC 2925 JUC = Jullundhar City (or Cantt)
BDTS RANI 4708 RANI = Rani (between Falna and Marwar)
BDTS SUNR 9017 SUNR = Surendra Nagar ? (correct)
BVI MTJ 9023 MTJ = Mathura Jn?
BCT ANND 9143 ANND = Anand Jn ? (correct)
PNU BVI 4707 Return ticket from PNU = Palanpur
BCT MSH 9707 MSH = Mahesana
BCT CHKB 2971 CHKB = Chakki Bank (bypass station for Pathankot)
BCT SIKR 2955 SIKR = Sikar (is about 100 km. from Jaipur on MG)
Hope this helps,
Vijay
From: SHRINIVAS V. JOSHI <>
Subject: Holiday Specials!
Date: 14 Apr 1999 19:07:46 -0500
Hi!
On Wed, 14 Apr 1999, Vijay Balasubramanian wrote:
> Based on the train names and the respective routes they take, here are
> my answers. I will dig into my Bradshaw and try to come up with a
match
> for the missing codes.
>
> 979 - ???? (misprint? could this be 9707?)
> BCT ABR 979 Mumbai Central (still BCT not MCT ?) to ABR (Abu Road
> ?) - correct
> BCT SOH 979 SOH = Sirohi Road?
> BCT FA 979 FA = Falna
> (the above assumes that it is 9707 and not 979)
Most of the holiday specials have 3 digit nos. So, you won't find them
in
any of the printed TTs but they appear in the list published in
newspapers
of holiday specials.
Bye,
Shrinivas
From: Apurva Bahadur <>
Subject: Re: Station Codes again
Date: 14 Apr 1999 23:49:47 -0500
Thanks for your reply Vijay,
> 979 - ???? (misprint? could this be 9707?)
These are the 3 digit holiday special codes.
> 4708 - Bandra-Bikaner Exp.
> 4707 - Bikaner-Bandra Exp.
Maximum fraud on this train ! Must be due to the non daily status on
such a popular
route. As per the Rajasthani / Marwadi community I have spoken to even
if three trains
ran this route daily, they would all be jampacked. Of course the lot
also wants a
daily train out of Pune to Bikaner as well. But first, the 1096/95 Pune
- Ahmedabad
Ahimsa Express (tri weekly) has to run daily.
> 2855 - ???? (misprint? could this be 2955 or 2859-Gitanjali?)
This is a mystery to me too, I have reconfirmed the number (2855 , BCT -
CRWA) and the
starting destination is BCT, the 2955 JP superfast has its own list of
fraudulent
tickets. A '8' train of SER is a rarity on the WR, only the Puri Okha
Express
(8401/02) and the Howrah - Ahmedabad (8034/33) Express can be listed in
the WR TT.
Maybe the WR website would give some more info on this train.
> 2903 - Frontier Mail
> 2971 - ???? 2471 is Swaraj Exp. (has this been changed to 2971
> recently?)
No announcement on this type of number change. But this sort of exchange
where the NR
(series 4) hands over one train's responsibility to WR (series 9)
happens often. In
return we would find that a previously WR train gets now handled by the
NR.
I am working on completing a list of station codes on the SER. This list
is from the
'firm quota' portion of their latest time table. That is the only TT on
the 9 zones of
the IR which makes an attempt to list the station codes. There are quite
a few
stations on the SER and I am still at the letter D !
Apurva
From: Apurva Bahadur <>
Subject: CR ad in the TOI
Date: 15 Apr 1999 01:21:01 -0500
Gang !
The Central Railway (for more information visit www.cr-mumbai.com) Mumbai division has placed an announcement in April 14th TOI. The extract of the ad:
Season ticket on credit card (Master and Visa) at CSTM, Byculla, Dadar, Kurla, Ghatkopar and Kalyan.
More Coupon validating machines: CR has installed 110 Coupon Validating machines (CVMs) at 57 suburban stations for the benefit of the commuters. Work is also in progress to provide CVMs at the remaining 10 stations.
Concession for Handicapped / Paraplegic persons in AC coaches too: Handicapped / Paraplegic persons travelling with an escort can avail of 75 % concession in basic fares of AC 3 tier and AC Chair Car and 50 % concession in the AC 1st and AC 2 tier classes from 15th May 1999.
More 12 car services: CR has increased the daily 12 car services from 90 to 106 from 20th March 1999 with the induction of two more 12 card rakes added to its fleet, Now the CR has 13 numbers of 12 car rakes. (I am surprised to know that there are only 13 rakes)
AC 3 tier for Kushinagar Exp: CR has introduced one AC 3 tier coach on the 1015/1016 Kurla T - Gorakhpur - Kurla T Kushinagar Express from 5th March 1999.
Additional sleeper class for Dadar Bhagalpur Exp: CR has augmented the load of the 3448 Dn/ 3447 Up Dadar - Bhagalpur - Dadar Express by attaching four additional sleeper coaches from 12th March 1999. As a result this train will now have 16 coaches instead of 12 coaches as earlier. (Has CR introduces these additional coaches or has the ER who are responsible for the rake ?)
New train between Diva and Sawantwadi: A new train has started between Diva and Sawantwadi. KR 5 Dn. will leave Diva at 0615 Hrs and reach 1705 Hrs. In the return direction KR 6 Up will leave Sawantwadi at 0930 and reach Diva at 2125 hrs. This train will have 10 general second class seating and 2 general second class cum brake vans. (This is THE train to take to see the splendour of the KR. However Diva is slightly out of the way to reach at 0615. Also why Sawantwadi and not Madgaon ?)
Diva - Panvel passenger extended upto Roha: 1689 Dn./ 1696 Up Diva - Panvel - Diva passenger has been extended upto Roha. the 1689 Dn. Passenger will leave Diva at 0905 hrs to reach Roha at 1205 hrs. In the return direction 1696 Up passenger will leave Roha at 1555 Hrs to reach Diva at 1650 Hrs. (Strange to see the Down and Up runs having different number series, don't have a CR timetable at hand, but I would be curious to know what the 1690 Up and 1695 Dn are.)
From: SHRINIVAS V. JOSHI <>
Subject: Diva at 0615
Date: 15 Apr 1999 02:14:42 -0500
Hi!
On Thu, 15 Apr 1999, Apurva Bahadur wrote:
> Gang !
>
> The Central Railway (for more information visit www.cr-mumbai.com)
Mumbai division has
> placed an announcement in April 14th TOI. The extract of the ad:
7. New train between Diva and Sawantwadi: A new train has started
between Diva
and Sawantwadi. KR 5 Dn. will leave Diva at 0615 Hrs and reach 1705 Hrs.
In the return direction KR 6 Up will leave Sawantwadi at 0930 and reach
Diva at 2125 hrs. This train will have 10 general second class seating
and
2 general second class cum brake vans. (This is THE train to take to see
the splendour of the KR. However Diva is slightly out of the way to
reach
at 0615. Also why Sawantwadi and not Madgaon ?)
Apurva or Any one of our gang,
Can come to my place ,which is just next doors -the previous night &
catch
this one at 0615. All are welcome. Daily I see the crowd waiting for
this
one to come to Diva from nearby yard, which one I too am yet to find.
Today being Thursday & NDLS-Trivendrum Raj to come from the overbridge
at
Dombivli & proceed to Panvel, the Dombivli-Vasai DMU shuttle was waiting
for getting a green signal just outside Dombivli at about 0545.
Bye,
Shrinivas
From: Apurva Bahadur <>
Subject: Re: Diva at 0615
Date: 15 Apr 1999 04:36:26 -0500
> (This is THE train to take to see
> the splendour of the KR. However Diva is slightly out of the way to
reach
> at 0615. Also why Sawantwadi and not Madgaon ?)
>
> Apurva or Any one of our gang,
> Can come to my place ,which is just next doors -the previous night &
catch
> this one at 0615. All are welcome.
Thanks for the invitation Shrinivas. Does this train have any
reservation or is it a general
passenger type train ? Are the crowds you see daily that of the reserved
passengers ? But
then Diva at 0615 is better than Panvel at some equally early time, as
was announced earlier
for a proposed train to Madgaon.
Apurva
From: VIRAF P.. MULLA <>
Subject: One more on Bandra
Date: 15 Apr 1999 19:09:13 -0500
BAMY = BANDRA MARSHALLING YARD
==========================
Viraf Mulla
C-20/14, Jeevan Bima Nagar,
Borivali (West)
Mumbai 400103
Tel: +91-22-8954510
E-mail: sncf@godrej.email
==========================
From: SHRINIVAS V. JOSHI <>
Subject: Progress of 0615
Date: 15 Apr 1999 19:13:50 -0500
Hi!
On Thu, 15 Apr 1999, Apurva Bahadur wrote:
Does this train have any reservation or is it a general passenger type
train ? Are the crowds you see daily that of the reserved passengers ?
In early '70s this was purely a Diva-Panvel passenger, then the tracks
were
extended upto Pen, so the destination.Then as & when funds were made
available
in annual Rly. budgets the track was extended upto Roha. And now you see
after the sanction for entire KR project, the train is extended right
upto
the boundries of Mah-Goa. The train is purely a passenger train since
long, taking all halts enroute. So, it takes almost 10 1/2 hours to
reach
S.Wadi. It has 10 passenger bogies+2 brake cum passenger bogies.
Sometime in coming weeks I shall be there at Diva in early hours & find
out from which yard it comes to start the journey, nearest being Kalwa
but
I think it's used only for suburban locals servicing.
Bye,
Shrinivas
From: Shankar <>
Subject: 16 Apr 1853
Date: 15 Apr 1999 19:50:00 -0500
Hello,
A red letter day for us irfca members.
146 years of trains in India.
16 April 1853: India's first train ran between Boribunder (Bombay VT,
now CSTM (yuck!) and Tanna.(Thana, now Thane).
Best regards.
Shankar
From: Vdate <>
Subject: Re: Station Codes again
Date: 15 Apr 1999 21:08:44 -0500
Atleast till recently, the passenger trains on NR were listed in the
timetable by their start and station codes. A good source of the
station
codes.
From: Apurva Bahadur <>
Subject: Happy Birthday Indian Railways
Date: 15 Apr 1999 22:31:46 -0500
Gang !
Today is the 146th anniversary of the great Indian Railways. The first
train on the
Indian subcontinent from CSTM to TNA on 16th April 1853. Let us
celebrate !
Apurva
From: Harsh Vardhan <>
Subject: Re: Happy Birthday Indian Railways
Date: 15 Apr 1999 23:31:47 -0500
Yes, greetings to all on the occasion.
While on the subject, I have often wondered if the inaugural train's
originating point was the modern day's VT station or some other place
near
the yards which were called Boribunder.
Anyone?
Harsh
-----Original Message-----
From: Apurva Bahadur <iti@vsnl.email
To: IRFCA <irfca@cs.email
Date: Friday, April 16, 1999 9:34 PM
Subject: Happy Birthday Indian Railways
>Gang !
>
>Today is the 146th anniversary of the great Indian Railways. The first
train on the
>Indian subcontinent from CSTM to TNA on 16th April 1853. Let us
celebrate !
>
>Apurva
>
>
>
From: John Lacey <>
Subject: request
Date: 16 Apr 1999 02:34:36 -0500
Request addition to irfca mailing list
Thanks
John
From: Shanku Niyogi <>
Subject: Re: Happy Birthday Indian Railways
Date: 16 Apr 1999 07:32:10 -0500
The Victoria Terminus station was completed in 1888 (and construction
wasn't
started until 1878). It seems unlikely that there would have been any
official train station constructed before the viability of a train had
even
been tested!
Not to throw a dark cloud over the celebration, but let's not taint this
anniversary by referring to the point of origin as CSTM. Regardless of
other
things, the British had a very large hand in what is now the great
Indian
Railways, and VT is probably the most beautiful symbol of that
influence. It
would be sad, as we celebrate the Railways' heritage, to cover that up
with
a revisionist name.
-----Original Message-----
From: Harsh Vardhan [mailto:champa@del3.email
Sent: Thursday, April 15, 1999 11:32 PM
To: Apurva Bahadur; IRFCA
Subject: Re: Happy Birthday Indian Railways
Yes, greetings to all on the occasion.
While on the subject, I have often wondered if the inaugural train's
originating point was the modern day's VT station or some other place
near
the yards which were called Boribunder.
Anyone?
Harsh
-----Original Message-----
From: Apurva Bahadur <iti@vsnl.email
To: IRFCA <irfca@cs.email
Date: Friday, April 16, 1999 9:34 PM
Subject: Happy Birthday Indian Railways
>Gang !
>
>Today is the 146th anniversary of the great Indian Railways. The first
train on the
>Indian subcontinent from CSTM to TNA on 16th April 1853. Let us
celebrate !
>
>Apurva
>
>
>
From: Apurva Bahadur <>
Subject: Re: One more on Bandra
Date: 16 Apr 1999 07:43:22 -0500
"VIRAF P.. MULLA" wrote:
> BAMY = BANDRA MARSHALLING YARD
BAMY is not a station, actually the nearest proper station to get to
BAMY is Khar
Road. I suppose BAMY is the termination point for many WR freight
trains. The loco
shed for WCAM 1 and 2 is also at BAMY. The WR diesel shed is also
located nearby for
homing the WDM 2 and the WDS 4/6 shunters. Likewise a freight terminus
on the CR is
the Wadi Bundar (Bundar is marathi for 'dock') whose code is WB. There
are crack
freight specials listed in the CR tt that run from WB to Salt Coutours
(Chennai) and
WB to Shalimar (Calcutta). These crack freight specials have the same
priority as a
passenger train (perhaps not much as a mail/ express) and have time
bound delivery
schedules.
Apurva
From: ranand <>
Subject: Salt Cotaurs
Date: 16 Apr 1999 09:52:32 -0500
I was just reading a wonderful picture book by S. Muththiah on the
history
of Madras.
He mentions a curous fact that apparently noone knows the orgin of the
word
"Cotaurs"
or "Coutours". However, there used to be salt pans at this location
early
in this century. There
are some nice railway related historical photos in is books on Madras
including one
of the *original* MSM (Madras and Southern Marahtta) terminus near the
current Beach
station.
R. Anand
Internet: anand@watson.email
External tel: (914) 784 7054
Notes: Rangachari Anand/Watson/IBM@IBMUS
Tie-line: 863 7054
From: Nalinaksha Bhattacharyya <>
Subject: Unsubscribe
Date: 16 Apr 1999 10:10:56 -0500
Please unsubscribe me temporarily.
Nalinaksha Bhattacharyya
<A HREF="http://finance.commerce.ubc.ca/~bhatta">http://finance.commerce.ubc.ca/~bhatta</A>
"The lifestyle of the Indian elite is amazing...I've never seen
such opulence even in America"---Noam Chomsky in New Delhi in 1996
From: SHRINIVAS V. JOSHI <>
Subject: Goods Train in Sharjah!!
Date: 17 Apr 1999 01:54:43 -0500
Hi! Everyone ( Sorry, Viraf)
Ref. Yesterday's India - Pak final of Sharjah, Pakistani batsman
Inzamam-Ul-Haq
banged into Indian bowler Srinath, while stealing a single. The impact
of
burly Inzmam was so strong it send slimmer Srinath few yards away.
One commentrator, may be he too is a train freak like all of us,
couldn't
help comparing the collusion with that normally happens in goods yard.A
wagon is sent to its destination after getting a bump by other one .
And he kept on repeating these comments for all the replays of the
incident.
I am not too sure if any of you watched this banging on cricket field
but
Viraf must not have seen it for sure!! So, all this mailing effort for
his
benefit. Keep watching cricket, you may come across ref. about our
beloved
trains.
Bye,
Shrinivas