IRFCA Mailing List Archive
Messages 7661 - 7680
From: HVC <>
Subject: Re: DLW news in the TOI
Date: 17 Aug 1999 02:42:30 -0500
>> I also see a likelihood of these locos being put on trial at the KK
line
for
>> a while. There they might have to put a TT at the Kirandul end. VSKP
has
>> several Ts.
>
>Isn't that line already electrified with all the stud goods electric
power
>working there ? The home shed for the WDG 4 is Hubli for the Hospet -
Vasco
>sector.
Yes, I know. But KK line is like a test bench of IR. The toughest BG
section. The loco might be evaluated there like so many others in the
past
but then it is only loud thinking on my part.
Harsh
From: Dr. K.J. Walker <>
Subject: Re: Turntables for New Diesels ?
Date: 17 Aug 1999 03:39:01 -0500
Dear Julian, Shankar, and all,
The choice of GM was a sane one: GM and GE are simply the global
leaders in diesel loco technology at present. Some new innovations,
especially AC motors and electronic control, offer very substantial
improvements in power output and economy for very low first cost.
As to single-enders, the NSW Government railways (as they then
were)
bought a batch of main-line diseasels to the Alco design back in the
1950s,
They were nearly identical to the Indian WDM1s, which as you will all
know
is the Alco "World Series", essentially a Co-Co version of their Bo-Bo
FA
for the US market. The NSWGR 44sels differed only on that they were
built by
Goodwin's, of Sydney, under licence, and they had a rear cab. The only
way
you could tell was by the little rear windows to one side of the gangway
at
the flat end, but the cab could be, and often was, used for main-line
running at normal speeds.
In the US, of course, the turning problem was avoided in
multiple
engine lash-ups: ABBA, or ABA, or even AA, with the "A" units (those
with
cabs) back to back. Very heavy trains virtually demanded this. The
biggest
lash-up I ever saw was on the Erie-Lackawanna, in about 1973 -- 7
engines,
all different! In recent years, though the trend has generally been to
"hood" units, except for some passenger engines for Amtrak.
Do IR plan a back cab?
Cheers
Ken Walker
-----Original Message-----
From: julian.rainbow@talk21.email <julian.rainbow@talk21.email
To: shankie@emirates.email <shankie@emirates.email
Cc: sank@telco.email <sank@telco.email irfca@cs.email
<irfca@cs.email irfca@cs.email <irfca@cs.email
Date: 16 August 1999 7:01
Subject: Re: Turntables for New Diesels ?
>
>Brush certainly exported its diesels to Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka (one is
prererved at Dematogoda Shed in Colombo). They sent some Tri-Bo
electrics to
New Zealand in about 1985 for the electrification of the North Island
Main
Trunk. They exported to other places as well, some English Electric
diesels
were sent to Portugal, and early diesel exports were 0-6-0s to Italy
during
the war and Holland shortly after.
>
From: Anand Krishnan <>
Subject: favour
Date: 17 Aug 1999 07:23:49 -0500
Hi all,
Can anyone help me in finding a site that has a photo of a WDG4.
There was one mail afloat sometime back. I dont remember which site it
was.
Kind regards,
Anand
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From: Anand Krishnan <>
Subject: Re: [Fwd: INDIAN STEAM]
Date: 17 Aug 1999 09:59:54 -0500
Hi all,
>Steam has a future here indeed unless some jokers have their way in
putting
>wires on this beautiful line and mar it forever.
Even economically it will not be a good proposition even if the
so
called jokers are bent on energising it. Near Hillgrove and Barliaar
region
between Kallar and Coonoor landslides are a very common occurence in
peak
monsoon and so it is not worth putting wires here for it to get snapped
often. 3 years back Lovedale station was almost buried. Also it is of
immense environmental importance to keep electrification out of this
section.
>Some YAM lovers may think that it will give a new lease of life to
these
>electrics but I foresee it as a mess which will lead to a permanent
closure
>of the line.
I myself am an admirer of those cute ones, i really wish they are not
removed totally. One has to travel along with it to appreciate it. But
at
the same time it ain't a good proposal to electrify this line and use
YAM,
certainly not. There was talk that this could happen, but its
foolishness to
do this.
regards,
Anand
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From: S.Shankar <>
Subject: dc mania revised
Date: 17 Aug 1999 12:22:16 -0500
Hello,
Check out the rejuvenated dc mania page at:
<A HREF="http://members.tripod.com/shankaronline/dcmania.htm">http://members.tripod.com/shankaronline/dcmania.htm</A>
I have installed thumbnails, though, to view the respective picture, you
still have to click on the link that is mentioned alongside.
I actually resized the images from the site proper, and then inserted
them as thumbnails. I could not link them to the main images per se as
there was some problem with my Netscape, I had to re-install Emirates
Internet all over again, due to which I lost all my bookmarks and saved
images.
At least the thumbnails (with the link alongside) add some color to the
page and prevents it from looking passive. (full text with underlined
links in between like it was before).
I shall now take a break from home page construction and take the back
seat for a while.
Cheers.
Shankar
From: Bharat Vohra <>
Subject: More on the NMR...
Date: 17 Aug 1999 12:29:25 -0500
Halo all,
As some of you know, I had made a trip down south to Ooty, Conoor and
Mangalore in May this year and had put up a webpage thereafter. I was
just
clearing out some stuff from my trips and found some material which I
had
carried with me back from the trip. I had intended to talk about it
then,
but it somehow slipped my mind. I dont know how many of you are aware
about
this, but 1999 is the centenary year for the Nilgiri Mountain Railway
(1899-1999). While in Ooty, I had met this gentlemen by the name of
Mr.Natarajan, who is a diehard rail enthusiast and has been campaigning
to
restore steam working on the line for a few years now. He has also
started
private rail excursion tours on this line (by actually booking the
entire
train for a party) to promote the line and attract more tourists to it.
For those of you interested, the details of the tour are as follows-
Heritage Steam Chariot - Steam engine train sightseeing and picnic tour.
Ooty to Runnymede & Back covering the following stations-
Ooty, Lovedale, Ketti, Aruvankadu, Wellington, Coonoor and Runnymede.
Rates-
1) Maharaja coach - Rs.500/- per head (only 12 seats)
2) Special Coach - Rs.200/- per head
Tour rates include softdrinks, lunch tea & snacks.
Concession for school students is available and bulk booking to.
Timings-
Dep Ooty 10:00 am
Arr OOty 17:00 pm
Contact for details-
1) Heritage Steam Chariot Counter,
Sangeetha Travel Agency,
Marketing Division,
Railway Station, Ooty
Phone 44266
2) Tourist Office, Govt of Tamil Nadu,
Charing Cross, Ooty,
Phone 43977
You can also email Mr.Natarajan at the following address...it is not his
own, so you could mention "Attn: Mr.Natarajan" in the subject.
bsganesh@vsnl.email
also visit their webpage-
<A HREF="http://www.nilgiris-online.com/heritagesteam/">http://www.nilgiris-online.com/heritagesteam/</A>
Incidentally this is also the only steam working into Ooty anymore...all
scheduled steam hauled runs by SR are from Metupalayam to Connoor only.
Hope the information is of use to some of you!
Regards,
Bharat Vohra
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From: Royston Ellis <>
Subject: Nilagiri Mountain Railway-Help!
Date: 17 Aug 1999 18:19:20 -0500
Gang:
Through my technical stupidity I have just trashed that wonderful mail
about the Nilagiri Mountain Railway instead of printing it! So I've lost
the prices and contact address.
Would the sender be kind enough to send it to me again, (off-list to
<royston@pan.email please?
By the way, I wonder if the Mr Natarajan mentioned is the same man who
used
to (still has?) the licence for the restaurant at Ooty station? A great
character!
I see from my book that while it is the centenary of the Mettupalaiyam
to
Coonoor section, the line was not extended to Ooty until 1908.
Runnymeade
is a closed station 21.97km from Mettupalaiyam (Coonoor is 27.03km; Ooty
45.88km) which means the excursion covers 23.91 (x2) track kms.
Wonderful!
Elevation at Runnymeade is 1,407 metres above sea level, at Coonoor
1,711m
and at Ooty 2,203m.
I long to go there again!
Royston.
From: Joydeep Dutta <>
Subject: Re: DLW news in the TOI
Date: 17 Aug 1999 21:01:21 -0500
Hi all
What we all are not observing is that WDG4 is a hood type loco and not a
cab
type. So a single cab is required. Isnt WDM2 a single cab loco. So WDG4
can
be run with longhood facing if required. In US the mighty SD70MAC or
Dash 8
also runs in longhood sometimes.
Longhood reduces visibility but can be managed. Infact Apurva's website
gives a cab view from the longhood side of a WDM2
There was a single WDM1 17038 of Vishakapatnam that was converted to a
dual
cab loco at KGP(Kharagpur) workshop. India's own version of a cab unit
is
the new WDP2 and it is a dual cab loco
Joydeep
>From: "HVC" <hvc@vsnl.email
>Reply-To: "HVC" <hvc@vsnl.email
>To: "VIRAF P.. MULLA " <sncf@godrej.email
>CC: "IRFCA" <irfca@cs.email
>Subject: Re: DLW news in the TOI
>Date: Tue, 17 Aug 1999 10:10:31 +0530
>
> >> I forgot to add, that this is a
> >> single cab power, which would necessitate turning facility at
> >> the end of it's travel. I wonder if this supplement exists on
> >> the internet edition of the TOI ?
> >
> >
> >Does it mean that good old turntables are gonna make a comeback?
> >
>
>
>I don't really see that happening. The WDG4s will be running to and fro
the
>bigger termini which already have a provision of a triangle. In any
case I
>have seen very few diesels being turned by TTs. Gonda which houses the
last
>of WDM 1s has both a triangle and a defunct Turntable!
>
>I also see a likelihood of these locos being put on trial at the KK
line
>for
>a while. There they might have to put a TT at the Kirandul end. VSKP
has
>several Ts.
>
>Harsh
>
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From: Dipl.-Ing. Nikolaus Sbarounis <>
Subject: Re: Turntables for New Diesels ?
Date: 17 Aug 1999 23:13:35 -0500
Turning trains at regular intervals is recommended to even out tyre wear
due
to track curvature (especially on lines where unidirectional curves
predominate).
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From: SHRINIVAS V. JOSHI <>
Subject: Re: More on the NMR...
Date: 18 Aug 1999 03:09:13 -0500
Hi!
Bharat,
On Tue, 17 Aug 1999, Bharat Vohra wrote:
> While in Ooty, I had met this gentlemen by the name of
> Mr.Natarajan, who is a diehard rail enthusiast and has been
campaigning to
> restore steam working on the line for a few years now. He has also
started
> private rail excursion tours on this line (by actually booking the
entire
^^^^^^^
^^^^^
> train for a party) to promote the line and attract more tourists to
it.
^^^^^
All the info from your mail is very informative & attractive. Only thing
,
came to my mind is about the booking of entire train by Mr. Natarajan.
Suppose he books the train for a group & few other passengers seek to
travel by this train , then the others will be deprived of this journey.
This is like a private train for his group although it is owned by
IR.And
about the charges, are these fixed by him or by IR ? Can you please
throw
light on these aspects or better to get in touch with him directly?
Thanks,
Bye,
Shrinivas
From: John Lacey <>
Subject: Re: [Fwd: Best Wishes on Indian Independence Day]
Date: 18 Aug 1999 03:13:41 -0500
My recommendation-details from memory:
J.N.Westwood Indian Railways ( Daivid&Charles c1975)
Concise yet comprehensive history, good bibliography.
John Lacey
From: John Lacey <>
Subject: Re: More on the NMR...
Date: 18 Aug 1999 03:21:09 -0500
A friend travelled on this opeartion in April and heartily recommended
it.
John Lacey
From: Apurva Bahadur <>
Subject: [Fwd: Ernakulam Diesel Shed Web Site
Date: 18 Aug 1999 06:12:55 -0500
Gang !
Check out the modified ERS shed webpage. Have a look and get
back for a discussion.
Thanks Ajay !
Apurva
From: John Lacey <>
Subject: Re: [Fwd: INDIAN STEAM]
Date: 18 Aug 1999 06:21:50 -0500
HVC wrote:
>
> > Re the Nilgiri line, perhaps you should mention, most importantly,
that
> >the diseasels only work the adhesion section, from Coonoor to Ooty.
The
> rack
> >section is still 100% steam, and that's the really scenic part too.
Stay at
> >Coonoor, it's cheaper and better placed, and enjoy the rack section.
>
> Very true indeed. Another point for steam is that diesels have failed
in the
> rack section
> and even a X class loco modified to oil firing had a tough time.
>
> Steam has a future here indeed unless some jokers have their way in
putting
> wires on this beautiful line and mar it forever.
> Some YAM lovers may think that it will give a new lease of life to
these
> electrics but I foresee it as a mess which will lead to a permanent
closure
> of the line.
> Regards,
>
> Harsh
Is the Nilgiri line built to the " standard " MG loading gauge profile?
I have a very vague memory of reading somewhere ( and a long while ago
too!) that it was built to narrower clearances-so that I was surprised
when I first heard of the YDM's arrival.
Even if the line does accord to the normal profile, would there be
sufficient room to fit in OHT through all those tunnels?
In any case, how could the present traffic levels even multiplied by a
factor of 10 justify the capital costs of electrification?
John lacey
From: Vijay Balasubramanian <>
Subject: Re: DLW news in the TOI
Date: 18 Aug 1999 06:50:05 -0500
I recall the CR working TT mentioning about reduced visibility with
the longhood facing. Trains such as the TN and GT express were
to be operated at a max. speed of 100 kmph. (instead of 110 kmph.)
under such conditions. Of course, this is from a 1991 TT when
Itarsi-Nagpur
was still being electrified.
Vijay
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Joydeep Dutta [SMTP:joydeepdutta@hotmail.email
> Sent: Wednesday, August 18, 1999 12:01 AM
> To: hvc@vsnl.email
> Cc: irfca@cs.email
> Subject: Re: DLW news in the TOI
>
> Hi all
> What we all are not observing is that WDG4 is a hood type loco and not
a
> cab
> type. So a single cab is required. Isnt WDM2 a single cab loco. So
WDG4
> can
> be run with longhood facing if required. In US the mighty SD70MAC or
Dash
> 8
> also runs in longhood sometimes.
> Longhood reduces visibility but can be managed. Infact Apurva's
website
> gives a cab view from the longhood side of a WDM2
> There was a single WDM1 17038 of Vishakapatnam that was converted to a
> dual
> cab loco at KGP(Kharagpur) workshop. India's own version of a cab unit
is
> the new WDP2 and it is a dual cab loco
> Joydeep
>
>
> >From: "HVC" <hvc@vsnl.email
> >Reply-To: "HVC" <hvc@vsnl.email
> >To: "VIRAF P.. MULLA " <sncf@godrej.email
> >CC: "IRFCA" <irfca@cs.email
> >Subject: Re: DLW news in the TOI
> >Date: Tue, 17 Aug 1999 10:10:31 +0530
> >
> > >> I forgot to add, that this is a
> > >> single cab power, which would necessitate turning facility at
> > >> the end of it's travel. I wonder if this supplement exists on
> > >> the internet edition of the TOI ?
> > >
> > >
> > >Does it mean that good old turntables are gonna make a comeback?
> > >
> >
> >
> >I don't really see that happening. The WDG4s will be running to and
fro
> the
> >bigger termini which already have a provision of a triangle. In any
case
> I
> >have seen very few diesels being turned by TTs. Gonda which houses
the
> last
> >of WDM 1s has both a triangle and a defunct Turntable!
> >
> >I also see a likelihood of these locos being put on trial at the KK
line
> >for
> >a while. There they might have to put a TT at the Kirandul end. VSKP
has
> >several Ts.
> >
> >Harsh
> >
>
>
> ______________________________________________________
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From: Royston Ellis <>
Subject: NMR
Date: 18 Aug 1999 07:36:38 -0500
My thanks to all who responded to my plea for a copy of Bharat's mail on
the NMR. I wish I could have such a good back-up when I accidentally
trash
a day's creative writing. And, of course, I love all the mails about
rail;
only I am envious of those who have the time to follow a hobby so
keenly.
To Shrinivas, about the hiring of trains. This has been happening for
years
in Sri Lanka with the Viceroy Express, hauled by steam (I guess you know
the locomotive details so I won't repeat)on excursions from Colombo to
Kandy. It is understood by passengers at stations where the train stops
that it is a private train. Of course the guards turn away those who
haven't noticed it is steam instead of diesel hauled. The train is owned
by
the railways and leased to the regular operator who sets his own
charges.
It seems to me the NMR excursion is great value for a group of 12, or
even
less paying for 12. And, anyway since the train is steam-hauled (which
the
others between Ooty & Coonoor are not) it is obviously a Special Train
so
ordinary passengers should not feel deprived. At least they have the
thrill
of seeing, smelling and hearing steam. It reminds me when I was lucky
enough to stay in a railway bungalow by the line just outside Ooty and
the
driver of the morning train to Coonoor used to toss the daily paper into
my
garden with a cheery toot. Made my day!
Royston
From: HVC <>
Subject: Re: Nilagiri Mountain Railway-Help!
Date: 18 Aug 1999 08:34:16 -0500
>I see from my book that while it is the centenary of the Mettupalaiyam
to
>Coonoor section, the line was not extended to Ooty until 1908.
Actually it is the centenary of the Conoor railway station!
Harsh
From: HVC <>
Subject: Re: DLW news in the TOI
Date: 18 Aug 1999 08:45:11 -0500
>What we all are not observing is that WDG4 is a hood type loco and not
a
cab
>type. So a single cab is required. Isnt WDM2 a single cab loco. So WDG4
can
>be run with longhood facing if required. In US the mighty SD70MAC or
Dash 8
>also runs in longhood sometimes.
>Longhood reduces visibility but can be managed.
I don't think that I really want them to try and do that! Taking the
example
of the VSKP w/s would be much referred.
Harsh
From: S.Shankar <>
Subject: Re: Dual Cab Diesels
Date: 18 Aug 1999 12:14:13 -0500
Jayant S wrote:
HELLO,
>
> "S.Shankar" wrote:
> > I remember having read in a railway encyclopaedia in the early 1980s
> > that GM had supplied some diesels to the Swedish State Railways.
> > Although the engines were based on an unidirectional design, a flat
> > nosed cab was provided at the other end.
> Were these the NOHAB diesels ?
I REALLY HAVE NO IDEA. THE BOOK JUST CASUALLY MENTIONED ABOUT CARBODY
DIESELS WITH A FLAT NOSED CAB AT THE OTHER END.
> The only GM Carbody-type dual cab locos I know of were the
> VR diesels in Australia (forgot what class: Dr Walker ?).
> Kind of like a WCM1 without the pantos.......
I HAVE SEEN ANOTHER PICTURE OF AN ELECTRIC ENGINE IN THE US (ELECTRIC,
IN THE US? RARE, BUT TRUE). IT WAS LIKE A GM CARBODY WITH A SLIGHTLY
ELONGATED NOSE. ITS WAS CALLED HAIRY JOE OR SLEEPY JOE OR SOME SUCH
THING. THIS TOO HAD A CAB ON THE FLAT SIDE. IN FACT, THE BOOK HAd A PIC
OF TWO SUCH HAIRY (OR SLEEPY) JOES, ONE WITH THE NOSE SIDE SHOWING AND
THE OTHER WITH THE FLAT SIDE SHOWING. THE FLAT SIDE LOOKS QUITE BASIC,
WITH AN ENTRANCE DOOR BETWEEN THE TWO WINDSHIELDS.
I MUST BRING THAT BOOK BACK HERE WITH ME WHEN I VISIT INDIA NEXT YEAR.
ITS A PRETTY THICK ONE, THOUGH.
TWO OF THE MOST UNUSUAL SINGLE CAB DESIGNS I HAVE SEEN ARE ON ELECTRIC
ENGINES.
ONE IS A FRENCH ONE. IT IS REPUTED TO BE THE ONLY SINGLE CAB MAINLINE
ELECTRIC ENGINE IN THE WORLD, AND LOOKS VERY MUCH LIKE A WDS/4 SHUNTER,
THOUGH MUCH LONGER. I THINK I HAVE A PHOTO OF IT IN A BOOK SOMEWHERE. I
CAN SCAN IT AND UPLOAD IT IF YOU ARE INTERESTED.
ANOTHER VERY BIZZARE ONE IS AGAIN IN THE US. IT LOOKS LIKE A STREAMLIMED
STEAM ENGINE (CORONATION SCOT, TO BE PRECISE), WITH THE SAME STREAMLINED
BOILER IN THE FRONT AS WELL AS ON THE REAR. SAME TINY WINDSHIELD ON
EITHER SIDE. LOOKOUT IS ALONG THE HOOD ON EITHER SIDE, THE CAB IS
SITUATED MID WAY.
> > It must have looked bizzare to see a train being hauled by a flat
nosed
> > engine with the streamlined/nose end coupled INWARDS (facing the
train),
> > but at least, it was a practical solution.
> I don't know about the WDM1 locos in India, but some Alco
> DL500s running in Australia had a flat-fronted cab at the
> other end. Some ran in Spain too, I think.
ACTUALLY, WHAT IS THE PRACTICALITY OR UTILITY OF A UNIDIRECTIONAL
DESIGN? IT WAS OK IN THE US, WHERE AS DR. WALKER ALSO STATED, THE
ENGINES COME IN TWO PROFILES: 'A' UNITS, (WITH CAB) AND 'B' OR BOOSTER
UNITS, WITHOUT CAB.
AS LONG AS THE ENGINE POWER IS LOW, SAY 1500-1800 HP, YOU CAN COUPLE AS
MANY OF THESE BEASTS AS YOU LIKE, USING PERMUTATIONS LIKE A-A (BACK TO
BACK), A-B-A, A-B-B-A ETC ETC.
BUT WITH 4000 HP, HOW PRACTICAL IS IT TO RUN TWO BEASTS WITH A TOTAL OF
8000 HP, AS WE HAVE DISCUSSED DURING THE COURSE OF THIS WEEK.
> > I think even the class 90 electrics of Britain:
> That is the Class 91, and reverse running is
> done only at lower speeds.
AH YES, CLASS 91. SORRY ABOUT THAT. CLASS 90 LOOKS JUST LIKE A DOUBLE
ENDED HST, WITH ELIPTICAL LIGHT ENCLOSURES, I DON'T THINK MORE THAN ONE
OR TWO WERE BUILT.
> > I sometimes wonder, why does the whole world flock to GM and Alco
with
> > their uncomfortable hood or unidirectional designs.Aren't there any
> > other diesel builders in the world?
> The Adtranz Blue Tiger is very much a dual cab design, and
> can be located from their web page at:
> <A HREF="http://www.adtranz.com">http://www.adtranz.com</A>
> Quite a bizzare looking thing. I wonder what single
> cab Adtranz was picked up by the Pakistan Railways, though.
I THINK ANOTHER OF OUR MEMBERS HAD POSTED A SCAN OF THE PR DIESEL. IN
FACT, EVEN IN THE URL YOU HAVE ENCLOSED, IF YOU LOOK AT THE BOTTOM OF
THE BLUE TIGER PAGE, THERE IS A LINK THAT LEADS TO THE PR LOCO. THE
ENGINE LOOKS TERRIFIC FROM THE CAB SIDE. PITY ABOUT THE ABSURD DESIGN
THOUGH.
(FOR LAUGHING OUT LOUD, IT WAS YOU AGAIN, WHO POSTED THE PR ENGINE
PIC!!)
I HAD AN OLD YEARBOOK OF THE PR.(1989 OR SOMETHING). ONE PIC OF A DIESEL
IN THAT SHOWS THE TYPICAL YANKEE PROFILE ON THE SHORT HOOD: LOW NOSE,
NUMBER WINDOWS, FORMIDABLE LOOKING ETC. THE LONG HOOD SIDE IS UNUSUALLY
LONG.ALMOST LIKE THIS ADTRANZ BEAST. WONDER WHY NO ONE WHIMPERED THEN.
TOO BAD, I THINK I HAVE DUMPED THAT YEARBOOK. I STILL HAVE A COUPLE OF
PICS OF OLD PR STEAMERS, SHOULD ANYONE BE INTERESTRED.
CHEERS.
SHANKAR
>
> --
> JS
> --
From: S.Shankar <>
Subject: Re: More on the NMR...
Date: 18 Aug 1999 12:14:52 -0500
HELLO SHRINIVAS,
MY GOOD CHAP, I DON'T THINK YOU NEED TO GET UNDULY WORRIED ON THAT
SCORE.
THE RUNS WILL OBVIOUSLY BE PRE-BOOKED, SO IT IS HIGHLY UNLIKELY THAT
ANYONE ELSE EXCEPT THOSE BOOKED WILL BE PERMITTED TO TRAVEL BY THAT
PARTICULAR TRAIN.
AS REGARDS OWNERSHIP OF THE LINES ET AL, WELL, THE PUBLIC CAN CHARTER
TRAINS, CAN'T THEY? SAME PRINCIPLE. I REMEMBER THAT IN THE LATE 1970s,
TELCO HAD CHARTERED A COMPLETE 17 CAR TRAIN TO RUN BETWEEN BOMBAY AND
CHINCHWAD (POONA) AND BACK FOR THEIR SHAREHOLDERS' CONFERENCE CUM
FACTORY VISIT. RACE SPECIALS ARE CHARTERED EVERY NOW AND THEN. SAME
PRINCIPLE.
AND AS CHARTERED TRAINS DO NOT RUN TO REGULAR TRAIN TIMINGS, HANGERS ON
AND CASUAL HOP ONERS ARE MINIMAL.THEY CAN BE SHOOED OF QUITE EASILY BY
THE SEVERAL ORGANIZERS, IF NEED BE.
BUT ON THE WHOLE, THIS NATARAJAN THING IS A VERY INTERESTING BIT OF
INFO. ITS A NEW ONE, I MUST ADMIT. AT LAST, EVEN INDIA HAS CHARTERED
STEAM TOURS!
CHEERS.
SHANKAR
SHRINIVAS V. JOSHI wrote:
>
> Hi!
>
> Bharat,
>
> On Tue, 17 Aug 1999, Bharat Vohra wrote:
>
> > While in Ooty, I had met this gentlemen by the name of
> > Mr.Natarajan, who is a diehard rail enthusiast and has been
campaigning to
> > restore steam working on the line for a few years now. He has also
started
> > private rail excursion tours on this line (by actually booking the
entire
> ^^^^^^^
^^^^^
> > train for a party) to promote the line and attract more tourists to
it.
> ^^^^^
> All the info from your mail is very informative & attractive. Only
thing ,
> came to my mind is about the booking of entire train by Mr. Natarajan.
> Suppose he books the train for a group & few other passengers seek to
> travel by this train , then the others will be deprived of this
journey.
> This is like a private train for his group although it is owned by
IR.And
> about the charges, are these fixed by him or by IR ? Can you please
throw
> light on these aspects or better to get in touch with him directly?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Bye,
>
> Shrinivas