IRFCA Mailing List Archive
Messages 6521 - 6540
From: Apurva Bahadur <>
Subject: Re: Unusual double-headed sighting on WR
Date: 01 Jun 1999 02:42:00 -0500
Viffy Boy !
Have you considered the possibility of a faulty substation which causes
a severe
drop in some section (between Kms such and such or between certain
hours), so
the WDM 2 helps to haul a heavy mail / express till such a time that
time that
the OHE is back to normal. Would you buy this argument ? What does the
gang
feel about this ?
As the WR has mail/ express drivers qualified for both WCAMx and the WDM
2s they
can easily pull such a trick and maintain the razor sharp timings that
the
Mumbai sections must keep to prevent 'bunching'.
Apurva
> Yes Appu the diesel was in power and the train was mail/express since
> between 20 - 21hrs there are no passenger trains.
From: Tim & Anita Wakeman <>
Subject: Re: Question for our American friends
Date: 01 Jun 1999 10:11:12 -0500
Mike Brooker wrote:
>
> I asked for ride in the cab of the third to the last
> >VIA "Canadian" westbound at Thunder Bay Ontario. The condutor told me
to
> >ask the engineer. I did. He said to come up.After some talk the road
> >foreman of engine climbs up. The driver introduced us and said I
would
> >be going to Kenora with them. The "white hat" said."WELCOME
ABOARD!".I
>
> VIA's Toronto -- Vancouver "Canadian" is still operating. I presume
you are
> referring to the 3rd to last run of the old routing. Until early 1990
the
> Canadian used to run daily and touch Thunder Bay, Kenora, and much of
the
> north shore of Lake Superior. Then, in a round of VIA budget cuts,
the
> route was cut back to 3 times a week, and no longer serves Thunder
Bay,
> Kenora, or Sudbury, ON (The "Sudbury Jct." station is 10 km from
downtown
> Sudbury ). BTW, the distance between Toronto and Vancouver on the
> Canadian's post-1990 route is 4424 km
>
> ********************************************************************
> Mike Brooker
> 99 Wychcrest Ave.,
> Toronto, ON M6G 3X8
> CANADA
> (416) 536-7406
> ********************************************************************
Yes Mike, that is true, I was refering to the original routing. To me
'The Canadian' was always a CPR train. The new 'Canadian' is just a
marketing ploy for 'The Super Continental'.
Regards Tim
From: Dr. M S M Saifullah <>
Subject: Photography...
Date: 01 Jun 1999 19:33:54 -0500
Hello everyone!
Has anyone got tips about good photography of the trains?
Also I have just got my site ready at
<A HREF="http://www.geocities.com/Baja/Mesa/7368/">http://www.geocities.com/Baja/Mesa/7368/</A>
It does not have any pictures of the Indian Railways yet. They will be
captured and scanned in the due course of time. But you are always
welcome
to browse through my burgeoning collection of pictures of Japan
Railways.
Regards,
Saifullah
Dr. M S M Saifullah, Researcher
Nanostructure Technology Research Group
Device Physics Research Laboratory
NTT Basic Research Laboratories
3-1, Morinosato Wakamiya, Atsugi-shi
Kanagawa Pref., 243-0198
Japan
Email: saif@aecl.email Tel: 0081 (0)462 40 2634
Fax: 0081 (0)462 40 4317
From: Apurva Bahadur <>
Subject: Re: Question for our American friends
Date: 01 Jun 1999 22:37:16 -0500
Dear Friends,
I would be very keen to hear of your experiences on the Indian Railways
after all
that is the reason we are together...
Apurva
Tim & Anita Wakeman wrote:
> Mike Brooker wrote:
> >
> > I asked for ride in the cab of the third to the last
> > >VIA "Canadian" westbound at Thunder Bay Ontario. The condutor told
me to
> > >ask the engineer. I did. He said to come up.After some talk the
road
> > >foreman of engine climbs up. The driver introduced us and said I
would
> > >be going to Kenora with them. The "white hat" said."WELCOME
ABOARD!".I
> >
> > VIA's Toronto -- Vancouver "Canadian" is still operating. I presume
you are
> > referring to the 3rd to last run of the old routing. Until early
1990 the
> > Canadian used to run daily and touch Thunder Bay, Kenora, and much
of the
> > north shore of Lake Superior. Then, in a round of VIA budget cuts,
the
> > route was cut back to 3 times a week, and no longer serves Thunder
Bay,
> > Kenora, or Sudbury, ON (The "Sudbury Jct." station is 10 km from
downtown
> > Sudbury ). BTW, the distance between Toronto and Vancouver on the
> > Canadian's post-1990 route is 4424 km
> >
> > ********************************************************************
> > Mike Brooker
> > 99 Wychcrest Ave.,
> > Toronto, ON M6G 3X8
> > CANADA
> > (416) 536-7406
> > ********************************************************************
> Yes Mike, that is true, I was refering to the original routing. To me
> 'The Canadian' was always a CPR train. The new 'Canadian' is just a
> marketing ploy for 'The Super Continental'.
>
> Regards Tim
From: Apurva Bahadur <>
Subject: CSTM - MAO Train
Date: 03 Jun 1999 00:46:15 -0500
Gang !
Just hurriedly glanced through a release in the TOI today. It
refers to the 103 holiday special which will run between CSTM
(0540) and Madgaon Goa (1630). The 104 will depart MAO at 1210
to reach CSTM at 2330 Hrs. In a departure from the regular
idea of a holiday special (only basic accommodation), the
railways have attached two AC chair cars and a pantry car to
the rake. This train is to run on some designated days (do not
have the TOI in front). I wish this train would run daily. The
punch line is - get to Goa in 11 hours. This is something that
even the fastest road vehicle cannot achieve.
More details later.
Just talked to the SCR control in Pune and they are hopeful of
the Briganza ghat starting operation from end of this month or
next month - CHEERS !
Apurva
From: Mike Brooker <>
Subject: Re: CSTM - MAO Train
Date: 03 Jun 1999 05:40:07 -0500
>Gang !
>
>Just hurriedly glanced through a release in the TOI today. It
>refers to the 103 holiday special which will run between CSTM
>(0540) and Madgaon Goa (1630). The 104 will depart MAO at 1210
>to reach CSTM at 2330 Hrs. In a departure from the regular
>idea of a holiday special (only basic accommodation), the
>railways have attached two AC chair cars and a pantry car to
>the rake. This train is to run on some designated days (do not
>have the TOI in front). I wish this train would run daily. The
>punch line is - get to Goa in 11 hours. This is something that
>even the fastest road vehicle cannot achieve.
>>
CSTM is Victoria Terminus, no?
Couldn't find the above item on the Times of India's web site, but here's some Northern Railways news from today's web edition of the TOI
N. Rlys run summer specials
ALLAHABAD: The Northern Railways have started running 10
Up and Dn summer special trains between Varanasi-Kurla,
Varanasi-Ahmedabad and New Delhi and Howrah to clear the
extra rush.
While the summer special train between Kurla and Varanasi will
be run daily up to June 21, others have fixed days of running.
The following are the details: Train No. 231 (Howrah to New
Delhi) Coach-8 Sleeper, 4 general and 2 SLR -- Arrival: 11.40,
Departure: 11.50, Days: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and
Monday, Date in June, 1999 : 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17
and 18; 232 (New Delhi to Howrah) Coach - 8 Sleeper, 4
General and 2 SLR --- 23.10, 23.20, Tuesday, Wednesday,
Friday and Saturday, Date : June 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 12, 15, 16,
18 and 19; 142 D(Varanasi to Kurla) Coach - 10 Sleeper, 5
General and 2 SLR -- 14.15, 14.45, Daily, Upto June 21, 1999;
141-D (Kurla to Varanasi) Coach - 10 Sleeper, 5 General and 2
SLR -- 01.10, 01.40, Daily, up to June 21, 1999; 144-D
(Varanasi to Kurla) Coach - 10 Sleeper, 5 General and 2 SLR --
16.20, 16.50, Thursday, June 3 and 10; 143 D(Kurla to
Varanasi) Coach 10 Sleeper, 5 General and 2 SLR -- 03.00,
03.30, Thursday, June 3 and 10; 154 (Gorakhpur to Pune)
Coach 10 Sleeper, 5 General and 2 SLR -- 07.10, 07.40,
Tuesday, June 1 and 8; 153 (Pune to Gorakhpur) Coach 10
Sleeper, 5 General and 2 SLR -- 17.30, 18.05, Sunday, June 6;
955 (Ahmadabad to Varanasi) Coach 9 Sleeper, 3 General and
2 SLR -- 05.15, 05.45, Friday, June 5, 12 and 19; 956
(Varanasi to Ahmadabad) Coach 9 Sleeper, 3 General and 2
SLR -- 01.30, 02.00, Sunday, June 6, 13 and 20.
********************************************************************
Mike Brooker
99 Wychcrest Ave.,
Toronto, ON M6G 3X8
CANADA
(416) 536-7406
From: Shankar <>
Subject: 123India Search Result 2.0.2
Date: 03 Jun 1999 05:49:20 -0500
Hello,
Check out these IR links.
Best regards.
Shankar
<A HREF="http://www.123india.com/cgi-bin/query/advsrc.cgi">http://www.123india.com/cgi-bin/query/advsrc.cgi</A>
From: Tim & Anita Wakeman <>
Subject: Steam
Date: 03 Jun 1999 19:10:46 -0500
It was Febuary of 1994 when I first visited India. I had no idea what
to expect and my future wife did not know how to describe to me what I
would see. I guess I would say that I was amazed, shocked, fasinated, in
disbelief, then curious as to everything I saw. I wanted to learn more.
I was traveling into a part of the country seldom visited by foreigners.
There not much there for the "normal" tourist to see. But for me to see
the actual India, the real workings of this land, is what I enjoy. I
could not believe the clash of people, food, structures and technology
that I would find under one roof operating as an entiny.
Of course, being a railfan, it was the railroads that struck me the
most. On my first night there, I was awoke by the shriek of a steam
whistle in the night. At first I did not believe it, but when the sounds
of a puffing locomotive was audible, gradually getting quieter in the
distance, I knew I was'nt dreaming.
The next morning I told everyone what I heard. My
brother-in-law-to-be, Stanley, was egar to please. Without my knowlage,
he began to go to sources to lead him to sources that would know if
there was in fact a steam locomotive. The next day he came to me and
asked,"Would you like to see the steam locomotive?". If he had asked my
wife first, she probably would have told him that that would be a stupid
question to ask him."Of coarse I want to see a steam engine!!!" After
that I do'nt think Stanley knew what he was in for. I doubght if he
really gave to hoots about trains, and I do'nt think he ever knew there
were people who actually LIKES them.It was new to my wife when I first
met her. She said the trains she had remembered when she was in India
were black, dirty, smoking, noisy, and down-right ugly to look at. I
exclaimed,"You remember steam engines!!?" She said,"Well yes,that is all
that is there." I almost fell over.
So here I am setting a time and date that would be appropriate to see
a locomotive that is in everyday general service in 1994. Stanley was
trying to sqeeze this in along with his already busy doings with
arranging Anitas' and my wedding, which is the real reason why I am
there, but hey, through in a steam locomotive and you wont hear me
complain!
The day finally came. I seemed like forever to arrive, but this was
it. We hopped on a bus and headed a couple of miles north to Katpadi
Jct. I was ready to off the bus when Stanley told me to stay on.We were
now going over a single lane bridge that spans the Southern Railways'
Madras to Cochin mainline. Also, there was a meter gauge line. Our
driver of the bus started across the bridge while oncoming traffic was
approaching. We'll I'm sure you all know what happened next. We stopped.
The oncoming caravan stopped. Everyone has stopped upon this frail half
wood, half steel pathway viaduct that is supposed to lead ME to a steam
engine. Now I learn that drivers in this country have very strong egos.
Niether one is going to move.Each of them say the other is at fault and
are not going to budge an inch. I'm just staring out the window waiting
for a big'ol locomotive to go rolling right under us and off into the
distance. I wanted to get off,but Stanley said it would not be wise
because of how narrow the structure is and how congested everything was
at that moment. I stayed on. More staring and glaring between the two
drivers, more hand motions "swishing" the other to reverse.I'm
thinking,'This is insane', but then again, in the U.S. the two would
probably be wrestling to the ground by now.
Finally, a constable arrives and we have to reverse direction, as
everyone behind us must too. After getting off the bridge, a forever
lasting line cars,trucks,people,bikes,rickshaws,animals and motorbikes
flowed through.What seemed to start as a simple task of getting from
point A to point B was turning into a nightmare.We had to be somewhere 5
mins. ago in order to see a steam engine and we wer'nt there.
More to come....
Regards to all, Tim
From: Apurva Bahadur <>
Subject: Letter in TOI
Date: 03 Jun 1999 22:32:58 -0500
Gang !
Today's Mumbai edition of the TOI carried my letter about the
IRFCA. However in the interest of brevity, the editors have
deleted our subscription email address. Neither have they
mentioned my email address.
If there is person searching form IRFCA or Indian Railway Fan
Club Asso. on the web, how easy is it for him to be led at the
correct place ?
Has Shanku registered the IRFCA with the major search engines,
also is the subscription info up on the IRFCA website ?
I wonder if all the editions of the TOI have carried my
letter ?
Apurva
From: Apurva Bahadur <>
Subject: Re: rdso web site
Date: 03 Jun 1999 22:40:55 -0500
Great site Gang !
Be sure to visit
Apurva
Anand Krishnan wrote:
> Hi all,
> Please visit www.rdso.org. Some interesting facts about this
important
> organisation working for the railways. Those who have already visited
this
> site this ain't a news for them, but for other railbuffs this site is
worth
> it.
>
> Kind regards,
> Anand
>
> ______________________________________________________
> Get Your Private, Free Email at <A HREF="http://www.hotmail.com">http://www.hotmail.com</A>
From: Apurva Bahadur <>
Subject: Accident Relief Train
Date: 03 Jun 1999 22:48:16 -0500
Here is a patch from the RDSO website about the new Medical
Relief Van DMU. They mention that one such DMU is already at
Gorakhpur, however I met a person from Kirloskar Pneumatics
Ltd (KPC) who manufacture the Voith transmission for the train
and he was quite sure that Mumbai is getting one such rake as
well.
Apurva
RDSO News
RDSO Designs New Accident Relief Medical Van:
Research Designs & Standards
Organization/Lucknow has achieved a major break
through in successfully designing the
first indigenous self-propelled Accident Relief
Medical Van, which does not require
haulage by attaching of separate locomotive.
The Accident Relief Medical Vans are
stabled at strategic locations on the Railway
network. These normally consist of two
coaches i.e. a medical van and a Tool
Van. As per the prevailing practices, in
case of any accident involving injuries to
travelling public, the first available
locomotive in the area is commandeered and
attached to the medical relief van, which
leaves with the Railway personnel like
doctors, engineers and maintenance staff
to the accident site. Problems have
been faced in timely dispatch of relief
train in cases when the locomotive was not
available in near vicinity. Such problems
have been completely eliminated in the
new design as these medical relief vans
can move under their own power. These
self-propelled medical vans are capable
of achieving a maximum speed of 100
km/h. There will be cost saving too, as
in normal course the locomotive taken
away from other regular service remains
under utilized while it is being used with
medical van. This vehicle is thus unique
and first of its kind to provide immediate
relief to the passengers in case of train
accident.
The Medical Van coach can be compared to
a modern nursing home. The existing
medical van coaches are non
air-conditioned. But in this new model, the medical
van is having full air - conditioning and
has the facility of a fully equipped operation
theatre with surgical and life sustaining
equipments. It has a ward with 12 beds
and is also provided with a refrigerator
for stocking essential drug. It has
arrangements for ensuring uninterrupted
power supply with built in facilities or from
outside source as it has been provided
with multiple power supply schemes.
The self-propelling power equipments are
installed in the Tool Van coach. There
are driving cabs at both the ends so that
it can be driven from either side. The Tool
Van (also called the Driving Power Car)
has a total power output of 690 HP
consisting of two indigenous underslung
diesel engines of equal outputs. This unit
has been equipped with a diesel
alternator of 50 KVA (3 phase 415 V) capacity to
cater to the total power requirements of
the system like air conditioning, lighting
and battery charging.
The tool van coach has a portable diesel
generator of 2 KVA capacity for feeding
power to 4 numbers of 500 watts halogen
lights mounted on four corners of the
twin cars for lighting arrangements at
the accident spot. The tool van is also
equipped with sophisticated cold cutting
equipment to rescue any trapped
passenger as well as hydraulic jacks,
rerailing beams, gas cylinders, portable fire
extinguishers etc. to be used in case of
need.
The new accident relief medical van has
already been manufactured at Integral
Coach factory, Perambur based on the RDSO
design. One such twin coach
medical van set has already been received
by N.F. Railway recently at Gorakhpur.
From: Dr. M S M Saifullah <>
Subject: Train simulators
Date: 04 Jun 1999 00:35:22 -0500
Hello everyone!
Are there any train simluation software available for IR, i.e., local
made?
In Japan they have recently come up with very decent train simulators.
They
have become a BIG hit with TV advertisements and what not!
The interesting bit here is that it comes with a controller which goes
into
the joystick port of the PC and is used to control the train. More
information can be seen at:
<A HREF="http://www.unbalance.co.jp/products/for_win/dengo/index.html">http://www.unbalance.co.jp/products/for_win/dengo/index.html</A> [Old
Software]
<A HREF="http://www.unbalance.co.jp/products/for_win/dengo2/index.html">http://www.unbalance.co.jp/products/for_win/dengo2/index.html</A> [New
Software]
I have played it and a few months ago I bought it too. Unfortunately, I
am
a Mac nerd and Mac version is out yet!
The above site require Japanese browser.
Regards
Saifullah
From: Karthik Giddu <>
Subject: Re: Train simulators
Date: 04 Jun 1999 01:05:28 -0500
I went thru the site. But as I don't know Japanese(like most) I would
only
make out that there is a stimulator(dengo2) update available. Is the
whole
Software available for trial purposes. If yes, Please give instructions
like
which image to click etc.
thanks
Karthik
----- Original Message -----
From: Dr. M S M Saifullah <saif@aecl.email
To: IRFCA <irfca@cs.email
Sent: Friday, June 04, 1999 1:05 PM
Subject: Train simulators
> Hello everyone!
>
> Are there any train simluation software available for IR, i.e., local
made?
>
> In Japan they have recently come up with very decent train simulators.
They
> have become a BIG hit with TV advertisements and what not!
>
> The interesting bit here is that it comes with a controller which goes
into
> the joystick port of the PC and is used to control the train. More
> information can be seen at:
>
> <A HREF="http://www.unbalance.co.jp/products/for_win/dengo/index.html">http://www.unbalance.co.jp/products/for_win/dengo/index.html</A> [Old
Software]
>
> <A HREF="http://www.unbalance.co.jp/products/for_win/dengo2/index.html">http://www.unbalance.co.jp/products/for_win/dengo2/index.html</A> [New
Software]
>
> I have played it and a few months ago I bought it too. Unfortunately,
I am
> a Mac nerd and Mac version is out yet!
>
> The above site require Japanese browser.
>
> Regards
> Saifullah
>
>
>
>
From: Dr. M S M Saifullah <>
Subject: Re: Train simulators
Date: 04 Jun 1999 01:25:14 -0500
At 5:05 pm +0900 4/6/99, Karthik Giddu wrote:
>I went thru the site. But as I don't know Japanese(like most) I would
only
>make out that there is a stimulator(dengo2) update available. Is the
whole
>Software available for trial purposes. If yes, Please give instructions
like
>which image to click etc.
>thanks
>Karthik
Karthik,
As far as I know one the first one is older and the second one is
recent.
<A HREF="http://www.unbalance.co.jp/products/for_win/dengo/index.html">http://www.unbalance.co.jp/products/for_win/dengo/index.html</A>
<A HREF="http://www.unbalance.co.jp/products/for_win/dengo2/index.html">http://www.unbalance.co.jp/products/for_win/dengo2/index.html</A>
The whole software is one entity and is sold commercially in Japan at
computer shops like LaOX. I think another software from 'UNBALANCE' is
due
soon on train simulators.
I do not see any clickable images there. One can see the requirements of
the computer that is not too heavy.
If one has Japanese Windows, the installation is pretty much straight
forward. The instructions are given with pictures and hence life is made
simple.
As far as the game is concerned, in the beginning a person starts off
with
certain number of points. See at
<A HREF="http://www.unbalance.co.jp/products/for_win/dengo2/index.html">http://www.unbalance.co.jp/products/for_win/dengo2/index.html</A>
The top centre location has some numbers. Those are the points. A person
then starts his train using the controller as soon as the signal turns
green. If there is a delay in starting the train the points decrease.
The
points also decrease when the driver overspeeds the train above the
speed
limit especially when the train has to change the tracks, e.g., that
involves multiple points and diamonds. One also has to follow the speed
limit that comes up along the track.
Points will be lost if the driver is negligent about applying brakes
properly.
The train on the bottom right is Nagano Shinkansen running on dedicated
tracks.
The simualtion is quite real, better than some of the aeroplane
simulators.
My opinion is that with increasing cruncing power of the computers and
with
additional VRAM the future train simulators would look really .... real!
Regards
Saifullah
From: Anand Krishnan <>
Subject: rdso web site
Date: 04 Jun 1999 02:25:51 -0500
Hi all,
Please visit www.rdso.org. Some interesting facts about this
important
organisation working for the railways. Those who have already visited
this
site this ain't a news for them, but for other railbuffs this site is
worth
it.
Kind regards,
Anand
______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at <A HREF="http://www.hotmail.com">http://www.hotmail.com</A>
From: Anurag Acharya <>
Subject: list admin away for a month
Date: 04 Jun 1999 07:54:33 -0500
Folks: I will be away for about a month starting this monday. Last
call for admin requests this month :) Be back on July 11th.
anurag
From: Shankar <>
Subject: Re: list admin away for a month
Date: 04 Jun 1999 08:37:55 -0500
Hello Anurag.
Have a nice vacation.
Best regards.
Shankar
Anurag Acharya wrote:
>
> Folks: I will be away for about a month starting this monday. Last
> call for admin requests this month :) Be back on July 11th.
>
> anurag
From: Rajan Mathew <>
Subject: Re: CSTM - MAO Train
Date: 04 Jun 1999 11:06:55 -0500
Dear Gang
Greetings to all !! really been missing the forum ...
I've been tied up too much recently so hardly been able to participate here.
Nevertheless my comments here. Will be in greater contact soon ...
(The holiday season keeping me busy ... )
Rajan
Quarter page ADS were relased by CR in Indian Express - 02 jun and Times of India / Mid-Day on 03 jun 99
---------------------------------------------------------
01 June : Instead of the new ""Mumbai - Madgaon Express" planned, cannot be commissioned due to the
Electoral commission "Model code of conduct" which prohibits any inauguration / commissioning
of new public projects due to polls in Goa", thus holiday special further extended till end June 99
A entire new rake was observed in Byculla for this purpose painted in a new livery - navy blue with a light blue across the windows. Coaches of this colour were observed on Gitanjali Express, Mumbai HWH Mail via NGP, Pushpak Express to LKO, CSTM - MAO Konkan Kanya Express
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
08 May Halt at Thivim due to public demand
103 dn - 15:18
104 up - 13:25
-----------------------------------------------------
Trains to run from April till June as holiday specials
------------------------------------------------
05 February : CR announces Revised Madgaon - Mumbai CST Tri-weekly Holiday Special Timings : WEF 10 Feb 99
* d = departure a = arrival & where two timings are indicated, the first is arrival and the second for departure
104 Up : Madgaon - Mumbai CST (on Wed / Fri / Sun ) - Effective from 10 Feb 1999
*Madgaon d 1230 Karmali 1306/1308 Kudal 1412/1414 Ratnagiri 1620/1630 Chiplun 1745/1747
Panvel 2125/2135 Thane 2220/2222 Mumbai CST 2315
103 Dn : Mumbai CST - Madgaon (on Tue / Thu / Sat ) : No change to these timings.
------------------------------------------------
19 January 99 : Mumbai CST - Madgaon Tri-weekly Holiday Special Extended till 17 March 99
103 Dn : Mumbai CST - Madgaon (on Tue / Thu / Sat )
Halts : Mumbai CST - Thane - Panvel - Chiplun - Ratnagiri - Kudal - Karmali - Madgaon
104 Up : Madgaon - Mumbai CST (on Wed / Fri / Sun )
Halts : Madgaon - Karmali - Kudal - Ratnagiri - Chiplun - Panvel - Thane - Mumbai CST
------------------------------------------
11 December 98 : CR announces Mumbai CST - Madgaon - Mumbai CST Tri-weekly Holiday Specials
Train Composition : 12 Coaches : 2 AC Chair Car, 7 II class Chair Car, 1 Pantry Car, 2 General Second Class-cum-Guard Brake Van
TATKAL SCHEME available for seat reservation - @ Rs. 50/- extra : 1 II class Chair Car (108 seats/full coach) and II AC Chair Car (35 seats)
* d = departure a = arrival & where two timings are indicated, the first is arrival and the second for departure
103 Dn : Mumbai CST - Madgaon (on Tue / Thu / Sat )
Dec 19, 22, 24, 26, 29, 31 Jan 2, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 16
*Mumbai CST d 0520 Thane 0557/0559 Panvel 0640/0650 Chiplun 1047/1050 Ratnagiri 1215/1223 Madgaon a 1610
104 Up : Madgaon - Mumbai CST (on Wed / Fri / Sun )
Dec 20, 23, 25, 27, 30 Jan 1, 3, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17
*Madgaon d 0550 Ratnagiri 0950/1000 Chiplun 1123/1126 Panvel 1450/1500 Thane 1545/1547 Mumbai CST 1640
From: Vdate <>
Subject: Re: Letter in TOI
Date: 04 Jun 1999 11:44:33 -0500
I searched thru aol netfind but did not hit irfca.
From: hvc <>
Subject: Re: Longest halt on the IR (fwd)
Date: 04 Jun 1999 20:49:30 -0500
Why, no, certainly not. "Part Yank Monotypes" are welcome too! All
aboard.
>Is it "Indian Stereotype Day" on IRFCA? Can we all join in? :)
>
>
>
>
>>Again at Ambala for 50 mins and chandigarh for 1 hour that is from
3.10 am
>>to 4.05 am. Correct me if I am, wrong. I was on Kalka mail in
November
>>and was freezing to death in the cold at chandigarh. I could not sleep
>>because some unthoughtful Babu Moshais were creating a hungama over
tea
>>and coffee and switched on the lights and were constantly shaking and
>>pushing me on the lower side berth at 3.00 in the morning. So the
best
>>thing I did in these circumstances was to put on my jacket and get out
of
>>the coziness of 3Ac and out on the platform with a cup of tea and a
>>Marlboro ciggerete to keep warm. I wished that there was a steam loco
>>some where so that I could stay warm, but alas !
>>I think in these circumstances it wwas best to join the pandemonium
>>creators on board ! Am I a true fellow passenger !
>>
>
>
>Ambala Cantt. schedule halt is 20 min. and Chandigarh is 30 min. but
then
it
>nearly always before time. In my dozens of journeys on this train, only
once
>the train has been late when a diesel failed between Chandigarh and
Kalka,
>no spares locos were available, a passenger train overtook us and our
>struggling WDM 2 finally dragged us into KLK, two and a half hour
behind
>schedule!
>
>The train has so much of lag time on a very fast line, not too many
stops
>and over six hours to cover 268 Km. I have once footplated a goods
train
>here which took us to Ambala in 3 hours flat(198 Km), non stop at that.
>
>The Babu Moshais are omnipresent on IR(and every bit of land) during
Puja
>holidays. The foremost memory in the mind is them taking stroll on The
Simla
>Mall with monkey caps and gloves etc. on in the months of October(!!!).
>
>On my journey from Jodhpur to Jaiselmer by overnight passenger(MG
>then) in the Autumn of '95 we had several for company in our coach.
>In the morning I was woken up by loud shouts and screams of `Amar
Shonar
>Killa'(our Golden Fort) as the Jaiselmer Fort came into view. I was not
>aware till then but was informed by the gentry that Satyajit Ray(or
somebody
>else) had made a film which featured the Fort and had the same
>title(perhaps). So Jaiselmer was `the place to go' that year!
>
>On the brighter side of it, the Bongs are perhaps the most well read,
widely
>travelled and cultured(self proclaimed) of the Indian communities. When
not
>talking about the virtues of Bengal and Bengalis, they do make good
>conversation and travel companions.
>
>Harsh
>
>