IRFCA Mailing List Archive
Messages 7921 - 7940
From: raymond/Polaris <>
Subject: Re: Shortest Routes, PRS Mistakes..?! (Suresh, Raymond, Apurva)
Date: 26 Aug 1999 22:32:51 -0500
Thanks a lot for your inputs on the shortest route. The algorithm you've
developed must be quite something, asnd the database of distances
between
stations on all routes something out of this world. By the way, how many
stations do you have, and how many junctions. Also do you have a winner
for the
junction with the most branches ?
My inputs on Western Railway Stations :
Churchgate
Marine Lines
Charni Road
Grant Road
Mumbai Central
Mahalaxmi
Elphinstone Road
Dadar Jn.
Matunga Road
Mahim Jn.
Bandra
Khar Road
Santacruz
Vile Parle
Andheri
Jogeshwari
Goregaon
Malad
Kandivli
Borivali
Dahisar
Mira Road
Bhayander
Vasai Road
Nalla Sopara
Virar
I'm not sure after Dahisar !!! It's been 12 years since I've travelled
on the WR
locals.
Names of these (4?) intermediate CR Mumbai Suburban stops? Can some of
you
Mumbaites tell me if CR goes to Turbhe via Thane, or via Mankhurd.
As far as I know (again 12 years off), there were only two lines out of
Thane
for locals, both going to Kalyan.
Thane
Kalwa
Mumbra
Diva Road
Dombivli
Takurli
Kalyan
Please do enlighten me also.
Regards
Raymond
From: S.Shankar <>
Subject: Re: SUPER SLOW?
Date: 26 Aug 1999 22:58:09 -0500
Hello,
Ah yes, it was the Saurashtra Express I ws referring to: sorry about
that!
Anyway, enjoy your tryst with the black beauties (I'm turning green with
envy), and do post your photos for all of us to see.
One small request: could your send me the url of your earlier trip? I
seem to have lost it in my earlier mishap wherein I lost all my
bookmarks.
A REAL FEAST is due to come from Apurva on Wankaner: I'm eagerly looking
forward to that.
Enjoy your trip, and do think of your less fortunate irfce bretheren,
esp.when photographing!
Cheers.
Shankar
VIRAF P.. MULLA wrote:
>
> > Also Saurashtra Janata Express, Bombay-Ferozepore Janata,and so on
and
> > so forth.
>
> Hello Shankar,
>
> I am taking Saurashtra Janta Express today evening for Wankaner. I
> don't find this this train Super slow. Do you Appu, Sarosh & Shri? We
took
> the same train to Wankaner in January. Yes it did halt for 10/15
minutes
> at Palghar & Bulsar (OOps! Valsad I mean) but that was to let both the
> Rajdhanis pass.
>
> Shankar I am sure you are meaning 9215 Saurashtra Express - 7.45hrs
dep.
> from Bombay Central which stops at almost all the stations & not 9017
> Saurashtra Janta Express - 16.25 dep. from Bandra Terminus.
>
> Anyways I am going to enjoy this weekend at Wankaner & Morbi with
Steaming
> Black Beauties.
>
> Regards
> Viraf.
From: raymond/Polaris <>
Subject: Re: howrah-madras express
Date: 26 Aug 1999 23:00:18 -0500
Dear Kumar,
I thought the Howrah - Madras Janata Express became the Howrah -
Tirupati
Express. I have also travelled by the Madras - delhi Janata Express in
1973. It
was completely steam hauled - WP's right through, and took a leisurely
54 hours
to reach Delhi. Great stuff, I would say thank god we have slow trains.
The ghat
section between Dhorakhoh and Maramjhiri (or was it Ghora Dongri) on the
Bina -
Amla section is my favourite. Nothing like having a WP or a single WDM
(short
hood leading, of course) through the tunnels and those lovely bends.
Talking of curves and bends, my two favourite are one coming into Wardha
East
from the Balharshah side, and then the curves on a high level culvert
just after
Visakhapatnam on the Vijaywada route.
Regards
Raymond
From: HVC <>
Subject: Re: How is the "shortest path" calculated?
Date: 26 Aug 1999 23:02:55 -0500
I believe the Govt. policy about reimbursements of travel expenses by
train
is
1) train by the shortest route if there are more than one for the same
destination.
2) shortest route if no direct train is available (Shortest route cannot
be
something like BG to NG to MG to BG but you may be asked to change
trains to
avoid circuitous journey).
3) You are free to take a longer route, your reimbursement will be only
by
the shortest. You may however be required to produce the ticket for the
actual journey undertaken.
Harsh
-----Original Message-----
From: Suresh Mutuswami <suresh@math.email
To: irfca@cs.email <irfca@cs.email
Date: Wednesday, August 25, 1999 7:18 AM
Subject: How is the "shortest path" calculated?
>One of the concerns peculiar to Indian Railways (and also the Indian
>Government) is the concern with the "shortest path." As anyone who's
ever
>attended an interview (job or otherwise) with a government organization
>will testify, the request to appear for an interview will typically
state
>something like "travel expenses for the shortest distance between your
>home town and <place of interview> will be reimbursed." The question,
of
>course, is: how is this distance computed? In many cases, this
question
>is not difficult to answer. In other cases, it is not simple. Let me
>illustrate with an anecdote concerning my father:
>
>A couple of years, I was going through Bill Aitken's "Exploring Indian
>Railways." One of the fascinating accounts in that book is the travel
by
>the narrow gauge 1 Satpura Express from Chanda Fort to Jabalpur. Since
my
>father was stationed in Jabalpur in the late fifties (he was in the
>Telecommunications service, and the Telecommunication Training Centre
was
>located there), I asked him whether he had ever travelled by the 1
Satpura
>Express. Somewhat to my surprise, he said that he had, and proceed to
>explain:
>
>In the fifties, the Government rules stated that in order to get
>compensation for travel, you had to not only perform the journey
>(documentation required) but you had to do so by the shortest path.
>Apparently, some bureaucrat (according to my father, "probably a south
>indian brahmin") had determined that the shortest path from Madras to
>Jabalpur was Madras-Nagpur-Gondia-Jabalpur and it involved catching the
1
>Satpura Express at Gondia. My father told me that the 1
>Satpura Express would typically come crowded into Gondia with all doors
>and windows locked in the middle of the night. A furious banging would
>result, and sure enough, some "idiot" in the train would partially open
>his window to see what the commotion was all about. This was what the
>passengers at Gondia were waiting for: the moment a window was
partially
>open, they would immediately put their hand in and open the window
>completely. They would then physically haul themselves into the train
via
>the open window. (I guess there were no bars then!) It was also well
>understood that once you did get into the train, then you became an
>"insider" and it was your duty to make sure that others did not enter
the
>train.
>
>On hearing this story, I was struck by the fact that the 1 Satpura
Express
>starts from Chanda Fort, and any Madras-Delhi train would have stopped
at
>Chandrapur (this was the late fifties). So, someone must have computed
>that Madras-Chanda Fort-Jabalpur was NOT the shortest path. Of
course,
>the most "sensible" way of getting to Jabalpur would probably have been
>Madras-Itarsi-Jabalpur.
>
>The point here is that mathematically speaking, the computation of the
>shortest path is hardly trivial -- especially given the somewhat
>intricate rail network that we possess. The "hard" way of doing this,
I
>suppose, is to enumerate ALL possible ways of getting from point A to
>point B (this is bound to be very difficult on account of the number of
>diffrent combinations) and then see which of these
>gives you the shortest distance. Is there any "smart" algorithm
available
>which can be used to compute the shortest path between two points in a
>given network? (Most of us use some version of a "smart algorithm."
>For instance, in computing the shortest distance between Delhi and
>Madras, we are not going to consider paths which take us through
>Mumbai, even though there is a path from Delhi to Madras via Mumbai.)
>Does anyone how the "shortest path" is determined in practice in IR?
>
>Sometime back, I read an article (by J.V. Narlikar?) about teaching
>practices in India. As usual, he condemned the unimaginative teaching
>which goes on in our schools with it's emphasis on rote. As an example
of
>"imaginative teaching" he suggested that students be given a copy of
the
>Railway Time Table and asked to find the shortest path between two
given
>points. One can only hope that this will be put into practice...
>
>
>Suresh
>
>
From: lwebber <>
Subject: Re: Shortest Routes, PRS Mistakes..?! (Suresh, Raymond, Apurva)
Date: 26 Aug 1999 23:51:49 -0500
> Thanks a lot for your inputs on the shortest route. The algorithm
you've
> developed must be quite something, asnd the database of distances
between
> stations on all routes something out of this world.
Thanks. I'm improving it now, I have thought of a few ways of doing so
while travelling.
>By the way, how many
> stations do you have, and how many junctions.
I have nearly finished inputting *ALL* 8,000... :)
There are 260+ terminii and 610+ junctions. If a terminus is also a
junction it is counted only as a junction.
>Also do you have a winner for the
>junction with the most branches ?
No: of
lines Name
5 DABHOI
5 DELHI
5 GUNTAKAL
5 GUNTUR
5 GWALIOR
5 JALANDHAR CITY
5 KANALUS
5 KANPUR CENTRAL
5 KATIHAR
5 KATNI
5 LUCKNOW
5 MAHESANA
5 MORADABAD
5 PANVEL
5 RANAGHAT
5 REWARI
5 SABARMATI
5 VARANASI
5 VILLUPURAM
6 BATHINDA
7 MATHURA
So, the winner is Mathura. My definition of a junction is very rigorous
and may not agree with IR's. If a line goes
A Jn. - B (minor station) - C etc.
and another goes
A Jn. - B (minor station) - D etc.
I take B to be the junction, not A.
> My inputs on Western Railway Stations :
Many thanks! It is the suburban regions where I am "weak".
> Names of these (4?) intermediate CR Mumbai Suburban stops? Can some of
you
> Mumbaites tell me if CR goes to Turbhe via Thane, or via Mankhurd.
Thane.
> As far as I know (again 12 years off), there were only two lines out
of Thane
> for locals, both going to Kalyan.
Apparently not - please refer to:
<A HREF="http://www.cr-mumbai.com/routemap/divmap.html">http://www.cr-mumbai.com/routemap/divmap.html</A>
> Please do enlighten me also.
> Regards
> Raymond
Regards, & thanks again.
Larry Webber
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From: lwebber <>
Subject: Re: Electric fittings in ACC1 compartments
Date: 27 Aug 1999 00:00:40 -0500
>All IR AC passenger coaches(new) use 110 V DC
>but there is no provision of a user's socket.
>As far as I know, only the palace on Wheels and Royal >Orient have got
110 V AC sockets for shavers.
>Harsh
This is REALLY bad news for him, as the device needs AC (105V-250V).
Rigging something up to tap into a 110V light line was no problem - but
no use if it is DC. Converting DC to AC is impractical.
Anyone?
:(
Regards to all
L Webber
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From: Tim & Anita Wakeman <>
Subject: Re: steam
Date: 27 Aug 1999 00:04:21 -0500
S.Shankar wrote:
>
> Hello Tim,
> DOn't be so hard on yourself Tim, we all started that way.
> Computer whizkids on the irfca help you stretch your talents
further,and
> give you valuable tips, but in the end,you need to keep working at it,
> thats all.
> Its only a question of time.
> Cheer up, and continue to get inspired by your comerades at the irfca.
> Cheers.
> Shankar
Shanker,
I'm not being hard on myself. I can't believe I got this far without any
assistance. It is just the time I've spent that makes it frustrating.
Its hard enough just to get time to read the mail let alone scanning
images and creating a web page.
Tim
From: Dheeraj Sanghi <>
Subject: Re: How is the "shortest path" calculated?
Date: 27 Aug 1999 00:42:20 -0500
I don't know the "official" version (if someone has Swami's handbook,
maybe they can tell us), but I have travelled a lot to various
govt organizations by train, and reimbursement to me seems to be
based on the following rules:
1. If it is a direct train, no questions asked. If I go to Bombay
by Avadh Express, I am not asked why I didn't take Pushpak.
Or if I go to Howrah, I can take a train via Patna. Or if I
go to Jaipur, I can take Howrah-Jodhpur, rather than Marudhar
which takes a shorter route.
2. If I go via shortest route, then again no questions asked, even
if I didn't take direct train. So if I take Punjab Mail from
Jhansi, I have been gladly reimbursed for two separate tickets
Kanpur-Jhansi and Jhansi-Bombay, even though this is more than
Kanpur-Bombay direct ticket.
3. If there is no direct train, then they insist on shortest route,
but they won't go out of their way to find a route that will
involve multiple changes, or long waiting periods at the junctions.
And even when I travel via longer route (say, to Bombay via Delhi),
they ask me for explanation. A 2-line statement saying that I
couldn't reservation on a short notice, or the longer route was
still faster since I could take Rajdhani, etc. usually suffice.
But this has to be approved by a senior person, and sometimes
I have faced problems in getting full reimbursement.
Of course, if I am going on IIT work, IIT would never ask any question.
By default, it is assumed that I am a responsible employee,
and wouldn't take a longer route for fun. So whatever
tickets I submit are reimbursed without any questions.
So there is a difference across govt. organizations.
-dheeraj
--------------
Dr. Dheeraj Sanghi (0512) 59-7077/7638
(Off)
Dept. of Computer Science & Engineering (0512) 59-8627 (Res)
Indian Institute of Technology (0512) 59-0725/0413
(Fax)
Kanpur - 208 016 (UP), INDIA. dheeraj@iitk.email
Home Page: <A HREF="http://www.cse.iitk.ac.in/users/dheeraj">http://www.cse.iitk.ac.in/users/dheeraj</A>
> I believe the Govt. policy about reimbursements of travel expenses by
> train is
>
> 1) train by the shortest route if there are more than one for the same
> destination.
> 2) shortest route if no direct train is available (Shortest route
cannot be
> something like BG to NG to MG to BG but you may be asked to change
trains to
> avoid circuitous journey).
> 3) You are free to take a longer route, your reimbursement will be
only by
> the shortest. You may however be required to produce the ticket for
the
> actual journey undertaken.
>
> Harsh
From: raymond/Polaris <>
Subject: Re: "MR" category
Date: 27 Aug 1999 01:33:08 -0500
Dear Anand & gang,
The only section that Allepey - Bokaro would have priority would be on
Vizianagaram - Jharsuguda, and only because not many other trains go
thataway,
except that rather new Bhubaneshwar - Sambalpur train.
Another interesting thing that I have noticed is the "must run" category
of
train. For example, if there are floods, or major derailments which
block the
normal route, then very few among the normal scheduled trains are
diverted along
a modified track, rest are cancelled. I wonder if that still happens.
For
example, in the late 1970's and 80's there used to be rather frequent
cyclones
in Andhra, and floods in Maharashtra / Madhya Pradesh. In the
circumstances,
only the GT and Howrah - Madras Mail used to run through diverted
routes.
Regards
Raymond
From: S.Shankar <>
Subject: Steam comeback?
Date: 27 Aug 1999 02:02:16 -0500
Hello,
Here is an interesting article I have in my 'Modern Locomotives' book.
It says steam iteself might stage a comeback.
Of course, the book was published in 1985, and its fiften years now, so
it might have been one of those grandoise projects that never saw the
light of the day. :-(
Check it out at:
<A HREF="http://members.tripod.com/shankaronline/steam.jpg">http://members.tripod.com/shankaronline/steam.jpg</A>
Cheers.
Shankar
From: Suresh Mutuswami <>
Subject: Re: Shortest Routes, PRS Mistakes..?! (Suresh, Raymond, Apurva)
Date: 27 Aug 1999 02:45:57 -0500
On Thu, 26 Aug 1999 lwebber@planetmail.email wrote:
> >On hearing this story, I was struck by the fact that the 1 Satpura
Express
> >starts from Chanda Fort, and any Madras-Delhi train would have
stopped at
> >Chandrapur (this was the late fifties). So, someone must have
computed
> >that Madras-Chanda Fort-Jabalpur was NOT the shortest path. Of
course,
> >the most "sensible" way of getting to Jabalpur would probably have
been
> >Madras-Itarsi-Jabalpur.
>
> Yes and No (here we ignore how many train/gauge changes are required -
> more on that later). Use of EGMORE would add 2 kms to everything (so
it
> is irrelevant). >
> CHENNAI CENTRAL - ONGOLE - VIJAYAWADA - BALHARSHAH - WARDHA - NAGPUR -
> GONDIA - JABALPUR = 1452 kms
> is actually the shortest - no Itarsi.
>
> The shortest route via Itarsi is much longer - as it too passes
through
> Nagpur, we just need to compare:-
> NAGPUR - GONDIA - JABALPUR = 357 kms
> while
> NAGPUR - ITARSI - JABALPUR = 543 kms
> So there is an extra 186 kms via Itarsi, making:
> CHENNAI CENTRAL - ITARSI - JABALPUR = 1638 kms
>
> However
> CHENNAI CENTRAL - CHANDA FORT - JABALPUR = 1741 kms, another 103 kms
longer still.
Many thanks for your input! My only point with regard to the
Chennai-Itarsi-Jabalpur route was that it would be the most "sensible,"
that is, the most convenient (least number of changes) and probably the
fastest as well. I knew very well that it was not be the shortest
route. Quite obviously, the "shortest" route has nothing to do with
being
the "fastest."
>
> No, ALL possible ways would take the life of the Universe to compute,
> and then more. There are hundreds of "junction points"....
> The algorithm I have written uses probability and trigonometry (to
> favor in which direction to head - but remember, sometimes
> you need to head in the opposite direction too, so the program uses
> randomness too) and lots of permutations are generated. For
> all the above, tens of millions of "legs" were considered. The more
time
> you give it, the more probable you are that the best
> result found so far is THE best. In practise on a modern PC, for short
> distances (under 250 kms) my algorithm generates >99% results
> (probability the route is distance-optimal) in a second or so. For
about
> 1,000 kms routes, in 15 seconds or so. For about 2,000 km
> routes, several minutes. For the really long routes
> (Likhapani-Kanniyakumari!) it can take several hours to reach near
> certainty...
> Of course, it already displays the best answer found so far - it is
just
> knowing whether that is the BEST possible answer.
Of course, I know that no sensible algorithm can be based on enumerating
all possible routes. That was just to mention the "theoretical" way of
tackling the problem... Incidentally, I'd like to know the
algorithm you use, if that's okay with you. It's very interesting to
note
that your results show that the PRS
(Public Reservation System) algorithm can be improved upon. However,
I'd
still like to know the actual algorithm used by PRS.
Just out of curiosity, can your algorithm be modified to get an
approximate answer to questions of the following sort: How many distinct
ways are there for getting from, say, Mumbai to Calcutta? (Please note
that I say "approximate" and I ask this because you mention that your
algorithm uses probability.)
Suresh
From: S.Shankar <>
Subject: YP locomotives
Date: 27 Aug 1999 02:49:46 -0500
Hello,
Click on the following url to see two pages about the YP locomotive,
which I'd scanned from a book 'Modern Locomotives'.
The script may be a bit fuzzy due to the very fine print in the original
book, but you can make out what it is.
I'm sorry all the pics I have are of the freight variation of the same
engine, the YG, (which is identical in appearance save for a 2-8-2 wheel
arrangement in place of the YP's 4-6-2) but I do not have such details
of the engine).
However, some of our other members (notably Apurva Bahadur, Tim Wakeman,
Viraf Mulla etc) do have superb photos of the YP, of which Apurva I
think has already forwarded to you several urls.
Cheers.
Shankar
<A HREF="http://members.tripod.com/shankaronline/yp.htm">http://members.tripod.com/shankaronline/yp.htm</A>
From: Apurva Bahadur <>
Subject: Re: WCAG 1s at Bina
Date: 27 Aug 1999 04:40:37 -0500
> Bina is North of Bhopal. And I think I just noticed the CLW builder
plate.
I do know where Bina is, maybe the locos had been sent out for a trial ?
Is the
WCAM 3 built both by CLW as well as BHEL BPL ? Or is the shell made at
CLW and
the electricals assembled at BHEL ? Were the locos live ? What was the
formation ? I'll check next time whether the WCAM 3s at Pune carry a CLW
as
well as 'On lease from BHEL' plate.
As far as DEMUs are concerned Cummins India sends the prime mover (on
paper) to
BHEL Bhopal and then BHEL sells the entire power pack (prime mover +
alternator
+ traction motors) to ICF Chennai. In reality the prime mover is
dispatched
directly to Chennai from Pune.
Apurva
From: Apurva Bahadur <>
Subject: Re: Shortest Routes, PRS Mistakes..?! (Suresh, Raymond, Apurva)
Date: 27 Aug 1999 05:00:08 -0500
> >Also do you have a winner for the
> >junction with the most branches ?
>
> No: of
> lines Name
>
> 5 DABHOI
> 5 DELHI
> 5 GUNTAKAL
> 5 GUNTUR
> 5 GWALIOR
> 5 JALANDHAR CITY
> 5 KANALUS
> 5 KANPUR CENTRAL
> 5 KATIHAR
> 5 KATNI
> 5 LUCKNOW
> 5 MAHESANA
> 5 MORADABAD
> 5 PANVEL
Why does Panvel have 5 branches ? I can list - from Diwa, to Konkan Rly,
to New Mumbai, to JNPT and to Karjat (???). Is
this correct ?
> So, the winner is Mathura. My definition of a junction is very
rigorous and may not agree with IR's. If a line goes
> A Jn. - B (minor station) - C etc.
> and another goes
> A Jn. - B (minor station) - D etc.
> I take B to be the junction, not A.
In that light is Pune a Junction or is is Ghorpadi (Ghorpuri) where the
lines towards Miraj and Daund start to branch off
?
Apurva
From: Anand Krishnan <>
Subject: "MR" category
Date: 27 Aug 1999 05:17:58 -0500
Hi Dheeraj,
Interesting observation indeed !! In February i went to send
off
my relatives leaving for TataNagar by Bokaro-Allepey Exp at Perambur
[now it
is back at Central]. It was late by 2 hours from Allepey and incidently
this
is just 30% of the journey completed !!!!!! and atleast on the SCR it
aint a
priority train.
Incidently this priority slots are also an interesting topic to discuss.
I
hear that on the Sec'bad-Guntur route the priority trains are Falaknuma,
Palnad and Chennai Exp.
Any comments on this topic.
>In Nitish Kumar's time, Bokaro-Alleppey Exp. was one of the "MR"
trains.
Anything remotely linked to Bihar i guess will come under his
perview. Otherwise no Votes !!!
Kind regards,
Anand
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From: ranand <>
Subject: Re: howrah-madras express
Date: 27 Aug 1999 05:26:13 -0500
The actual progression was like this:
1. There used to be a train the 89/90 Madras-Tatanagar express.
2. It became the Madras Bokaro Steel City express
3. It then became the Alleppy-Bokaro express.
Incidentally, when did the old 41/42 Kerala express (Madras Cochin HT)
vanish?
I traveled by this train in 1971 to Thrichur (enroute to Guruvayur). On
the
retun
trip we came back by the Cochin Mail (now the Trivandrum Mail).
Anand
Internet: anand@watson.email
External tel: (914) 784 7054
Notes: Rangachari Anand/Watson/IBM@IBMUS
Tie-line: 863 7054
From: Vijay Balasubramanian <>
Subject: Re: howrah-madras express
Date: 27 Aug 1999 05:50:33 -0500
When was the Delhi-Hwh Janata exp. discontinued? It now stops at
Chittaranjan.
Other surprise skips by relatively slower trains -
1. Durgapur by Delhi-Hwh. exp. (now Lal Quila Exp.). The Up train skips
Durgapur to halt
at Raniganj instead and the Dn. train travels Asansol-Barddhaman
non-stop.
2. Until late 70s :- Devlali by Bombay-Howrah Exp. (now Kurla-Hwh exp.).
3. Until mid 80s :- Pachora by Bombay-Allahabad-Hwh Janata Exp., later
rerouted to Bhagalpur.
This now goes to Patna as the Kurla-Patna Exp.
Vijay
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Sankaran Kumar [SMTP:sankaran_kumar@hotmail.email
> Sent: Thursday, August 26, 1999 9:32 PM
> To: irfca@cs.email
> Subject: howrah-madras express
>
> In response to a comment about the Howrah-Madras Express being
scrapped
> and
> repleced by the Coromandel Express, the HWH-MAS express was not
scrapped;
> it
> became the Bokaro-Madras Express and then the Bokaro-Alleppey Express
(or
> Bullock Cart, if you prefer).
>
> So the Delhi-Howrah Janata Express is back eh? Does it stop at
> Chittaranjan? It didn't use to before; whereas faster trains like the
> Howrah-Amritsar Mail stop at Chittaranjan.
>
> Kumar
>
>
> _______________________________________________________________
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From: Samit Roychoudhury <>
Subject: MR trains
Date: 27 Aug 1999 06:31:44 -0500
can someone provide a comprehensive list of MR trains. this seems
fascinating and i had no idea such a thing existed. might help me
preparing
journeys later.
thanks
samit
From: Don Mills <>
Subject: Fw: Friends of Amtrak Update 8/27/99
Date: 27 Aug 1999 07:57:00 -0500
Dear Friends of Amtrak:
I have a brief trip report with photos on my recent rail travels in
the Republic of Ireland posted online at:
<<A HREF="http://www.trainweb.com/crocon/irelandrail/craig99.html>">http://www.trainweb.com/crocon/irelandrail/craig99.html></A>
An additional train will start Sept 2 between Bellingham and Seattle,
WA.
New train 761 will leave Bellinham 1015am, Mt Veron 1040am, Everett
1122am,Edmonds 1143am and ar Seattle 1245 pm.
Train 762 will leave Seattle 530 pm, Edmonds 555p, Everett 614p, Mt
Vernon 657 pm and ar Bellingham 8 pm.
Present train 761 from Vancouver BC at 6 PM will be renumbered to 763.
No aggrement has been reached to take the train across the border to
Vancouver BC. Guaranteed Portland connections at Seattle with 752 and
753.
FARES SET FOR AMTRAK'S 2000 USA RAIL PASS
International Visitors Can Set Travel Plans For The Next Millennium
WASHINGTON --Fares for Amtrak's 2000 USA Rail Pass, a pass designed
specifically for international travelers to see the U.S. with ease and
flexibility, are now priced for travelers wishing to visit the U.S. in
the next millennium. Travelers can choose from among six USA Rail Passes
for either 15 or 30 days of coach-class train travel with unlimited
stopovers. 2000 USA Rail Pass fares will be valid for travel from Jan.
1, 2000, through Dec. 31, 2000.
The National USA Rail Pass offers coast-to-coast travel anywhere Amtrak
goes in the U.S. and Canada. In addition, these passes are also
available:
Far West Region (From Denver, Colo., to Los Angeles and San Francisco,
Calif.)
West Region (From Chicago, Ill, New Orleans, La., to Los Angeles and San
Francisco Calif.)
Northeast Region (From Virginia Beach Va., to Montreal, Canada)
East Coastal Region (From Miami, Fla., to Montreal, Canada)
West Coastal Region (From San Diego, Calif., to Vancouver, British
Columbia)
A 15-day National USA Rail Pass is US$440 in peak season and US$295 for
off-peak travel. The 30-day National USA Rail Pass is US$550 in peak
season and US$385 in off-peak season. Passes can also be purchased at
half-price for children (ages 2-15) when traveling with an adult. Peak
season fares are charged for travel from June 1, 2000 to Sept. 5, 2000,
and off-peak fares are in effect for the remainder of the year. For more
information on fares, please see the chart below for a full description.
Sleeping accommodations are available for an extra charge. Advance
bookings are required for all sleeping accommodations and for coach
travel on Amtrak's reserved trains, including its popular western
routes. Travelers should book ahead to ensure seats for specific dates.
Amtrak reservations may be made when purchasing the USA Rail Pass or
while traveling in the United States subject to space availability.
USA Rail Passes are sold only to visitors from outside the U.S. and
Canada.
Amtrak also makes it easier for international travelers to learn about
the exciting USA Rail Pass. Amtrak's USA Rail Pass brochure, currently
available in eight languages (English, Spanish, French, German,
Japanese, Dutch, Portuguese and Chinese), is an eight page brochure
which illustrates the ease of traveling in the United States on Amtrak
with information, fares and accommodations. To obtain this brochure,
overseas travelers should visit Amtrak's Order Brochures Page and
request a copy mailed to them in the appropriate language or contact an
International Sales Representative Agency.
Source: Amtrak
-
From: Anand Krishnan <>
Subject: Re: "MR" category
Date: 27 Aug 1999 09:21:55 -0500
Hi all,
>train. For example, if there are floods, or major derailments which
block
>the normal route, then very few among the normal scheduled >trains are
>diverted along a modified track, rest are cancelled. I >wonder if that
>still
Yes that is how it is. The most affect section during
floods/cyclones is the stretch between Nellore and Chirala and Kavali
station has borne the brunt of many a severe cyclone. I remember once
when
the who OHET was ripped of for a km and the poles uprooted sometime in
1985.
Even that time i was supposed to receive a person by the then
Madras-Bokaro
express. All trains arrived on a diverted route and were atleast 6-7
hours
late.
Kind regards,
Anand
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