IRFCA Mailing List Archive
Messages 8541 - 8560
From: S.Shankar <>
Subject: emu enigma
Date: 17 Sep 1999 13:41:08 -0500
Hello,
After some difficulty, I traced the missing pages in my emu enigma site
to an error is the file name: I'd worked on two of the pages and had
re-saved them as xyz.html instead of xyz.htm. To make things worse, I'd
unchecked the box in the file manager that had said 'automatically
convert html file name ends to htm.
The site is ticking ok now.
Here is the url for the dc emu page with the tram photo added.
<A HREF="http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Coast/9896/emuenigmadc.html">http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Coast/9896/emuenigmadc.html</A>
Cheers.
Shankar
From: Rohini Muthuswami <>
Subject: Re: Continuing on train names..
Date: 17 Sep 1999 17:20:21 -0500
>From: Jishnu Mukerji <jis@fpk.email
>To: Vijay Balasubramanian <VBalasubramanian@softrax.email
>CC: "'irfca@cs.email <irfca@cs.email
>Subject: Re: Continuing on train names..
>Date: Fri, 17 Sep 1999 14:08:20 -0400
>
>Vijay Balasubramanian wrote:
> >
> > Vijayawada-Secunderabad Satvahana Exp.
> > sat = right/proper/good, vahana = vehicle. Proper vehicle?
>
>Isn't Satvahana also the name of a historical tribe or some such from
>central
>India? Seem to have come across that name in my Indian History lessons
>three
>decades back.
IIRC, Satavahanas ruled Central India at some point.
>
> > Bandra-Vadodara Sayaji Nagri Exp.
> > Who is/was Sayaji?
>
>Wasn't the king of Baroda Sayajirao?
Yes, Sayajirao Gaekwad ruled Baroda. As an aside: there is also an
university named after him in Baroda.
>
> > Howrah-Bolpur Shantiniketan Exp.
> > Is Bolpur the railhead for Shantiniketan, where Tagore lived most
of
>this
> > life?
>
>Bolpur is the station for Shantiniketan, actual name of the station is
>Bolpur-Shantiniketan.
>
> > Howrah-Rampurhat Ganadevta Exp. ??
>
>Named after a famous Ray movie?
Isn't there a novel by the same name written by Tarashankar
Bandhopadhaya?
Rohini
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From: Mike Brooker <>
Subject: Re: Links
Date: 17 Sep 1999 20:28:30 -0500
Hello,
>I've been working away all day at this links page of my superrailway
>site.
>Check it out at:
>
><A HREF="http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Coast/9896/superrlylinks.htm">http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Coast/9896/superrlylinks.htm</A>
>
>I checked a few links at random, and they are all working.
>Geocities is presently doing some backup, so the server is
>F R I G H T F U L L Y (read exasperatingly) slow, due to which I am
>unable to check all of them.
>
>Let me know of any dead links, and if any other links need to be added.
>The link exchange part at the very end is of course not applicable to
>us: we are family, aren't we?
Thanks for including the link to my India page. However, my last name
is
Brooker, not Booker. Royston Ellis also forgot the first R, in the '97
edition of India by Rail.
I enjoyed the "Virar Local" song, though I can't say I am much of a fan
of
Ricky Martin.
********************************************************************
Mike Brooker
99 Wychcrest Ave.,
Toronto, ON M6G 3X8
CANADA
(416) 536-7406
********************************************************************
From: raymond/Polaris <>
Subject: Re: Names of trains.
Date: 17 Sep 1999 22:29:55 -0500
Dear Dheeraj,
There could be no other earthly reason for the Andaman Express. The
other two
(Sikkim Mahananda and Mangala Lakshadweep) at least have their original
names
intact - just an add-on. I would just like to put my usual spoke in the
wheel
and ask what happened to poor old Dadra and Nagar Haveli, as well as
Daman and
Diu, which do not have railway lines nor even trains named after them.
Anyway, does Manipur have a similar claim to fame...
Regards
Raymond
From: raymond/Polaris <>
Subject: Rivers and Train Names
Date: 17 Sep 1999 22:36:34 -0500
Dear Gang,
The Ganga - Kaveri Express is just the plain old Chennai - Varanasi
Express, as
it has lost that old MG connection to the Rameswaram Express.
Other River names which are also train names :
Tungabhadra Express
Mahanadi Express
Rapti Sagar Express (just the Rapti part though)
Gandak Express
Luni Express (still exists ?)
Bhagirathi Express
Tapti Ganga Express
Narmada Express
Mahananda Express
Beas Express
Ravi Express
Jhelum Express
Brahmaputra Mail
Mandovi Express
Zuari Express (defunct due to the defunct Braganza Ghat)
Suvarnarekha Express
Various Damodar Expresses
Sabarmati Express
Gomti Express
Various Yamuna Expresses
Kosi Express
Amarkantak Express (source of the Narmada)
Godavari/Krishna/Kaveri Expresses
Anymore / any less
Raymond
From: SHRINIVAS V. JOSHI <>
Subject: Earth-1947 & Trains...
Date: 17 Sep 1999 23:23:44 -0500
Hi!
Last night watched Earth-1947, the latest movie here in India. It has
only
one shot of our dear Train. The scene is as follows:
During the partition days, trains were the main transport medium.Amir
Khan,
playing a Lahori young man is waiting for a train from Gurdaspur which
is to
bring in his sisters. He is at the platform for more than 12 hours,later
the
train is shown arriving in .
The loco is a steam loco, with powerful headlights , emitting black
smoke in
the night sky. But pity is that what the train brings in are the dead
bodies
from across the border, ie from India.The moment he hurls the doors
open,he can
sense blood all over the floor & his dear ones too are not spared.
So, few point which came to my mind about trains in those days are:
In those days Gurdaspur-Lahore line was open.So is it the same as the
one we
have today,ie across the Wagha border point? And the loco shown is the
one
without the smoke deflectors. Is it pertaining to that era?
Can anyone reading this mail throw light on this? Ofcourse many like-to
name a few Harsh, Viraf & Appu will .
Bye,
Shrinivas
From: Anand Krishnan <>
Subject: Re: Model Basher Dinyar Antia
Date: 18 Sep 1999 03:35:21 -0500
HI Gang,
I have been trying some experiments on soem screensaver software.
I
think i got hold of one. Let me see if i succeed in bringing out some
thing
useful. The software is a whooping 5MB. If anyone has so much of space
in
their mailbox i can possibly forward it to them.
Thanx
Anand
>From: Apurva Bahadur <iti@vsnl.email
>To: IRFCA <irfca@cs.email
>Subject: Model Basher Dinyar Antia
>Date: Fri, 17 Sep 1999 21:14:40 +0530
>
>Gang !
>
>Check out a page devoted to the gems from Pune, music teacher Dinyar
and
>his bashed IR
>models.
>Go to my index page and click on the last link.
>Send any comments for Dinyar to me (he is not on the computer keyboard
yet
>- only the
>grand piano !)
><A HREF="http://members.tripod.com/~ApuB/index.htm">http://members.tripod.com/~ApuB/index.htm</A>
>
>Apurva
>
>
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From: S.Shankar <>
Subject: [Fwd: Stolen diesel
Date: 18 Sep 1999 11:46:17 -0500
Hello,
Any views? I do so very much hate to disappoint Larry.
Harsh, anything you know about this?
Cheers.
Shankar
From: John Lacey <>
Subject: Re: Anyone have these Inter-Station Distances, please?
Date: 18 Sep 1999 20:11:34 -0500
lwebber@planetmail.email wrote:
> SCR,BG,Gudur
Jn.94,Kondagunta84,Vendodu75,Nidigallu66,Venkatagiri58,Yataluru51,Yellak
aru46,Srikalahasti34,Yerpedu20,Renigunta Jn.10
> SCR,BG,Bhimavaram Town109,Vendra Jn.116
> SCR,MG,Tirupati105,Tirupati West 104,( Mangapuram H 95) Chandragiri
93,Kotala Halt90,Panapakam76,Pakala Jn.63
> SCR,MG,Pakala Jn 63.,Putalapattu,48Chittor33,Siddampalli25,Peyanapalli
Halt22,Ramapuram16,Bommasamudram10,Katpadi Jn..
Source: SCR 1/10/81
John Lacey
From: Suresh Mutuswami <>
Subject: Re: Names of trains.
Date: 19 Sep 1999 05:55:43 -0500
On Sat, 18 Sep 1999, Dheeraj Sanghi wrote:
> I remember that a couple of years ago (1997 ??) in the budget
> speech, the minister had announced that a few trains will be
> named after the states where no train goes. This was to tell
> the people of those states that IR hasn't forgotten them (or
> some such statement he made). Also, the capital cities of
> these states (and UTs) were to have a railway reservation
> counter so that if they want to trael in other part of the
> country they can get reservation in their home state itself.
>
> It was to fulfill this promise that Mahananda was renamed
> as Sikkim Mahananda, and similarly Mangla was renamed as
> Mangla Lakshdweep. Madras - Jammu Tawi was renamed as Andaman
> Express.
I don't remember this, but the first part of the minister's proposal
strikes me as being perfectly silly. How is this renaming going to
help
the people in the non-Railway states? The second part of the proposal
sounds eminently sensible, but it seems that it's been there for
sometime.
My IR map (1991 vintage) shows the presence of various "Out Agencies"
in
places not covered by IR. Doesn't this indicate the presence of booking
facilities in these places? Or does "Out Agency" mean something else?
Incidentally, why doesn't IR allow private travel agents to do the
booking
at least for the upper class (1/2/3 A/C, I class)? Since the IR
reservation system is on the computer network, this should be feasible.
If nothing else, this will reduce the number of people in the
(interminable) queues at the booking counters.
Suresh
From: S.SRINIVAS <>
Subject: Re: Hints required on KR travel
Date: 19 Sep 1999 09:26:04 -0500
hello every body
i agree with karthik's suggestion. let us plan out a day journey between
mangalore
(kankanadi)
and diva or panvel (or whichever point nearabout mumbai). i suppose the
nizamuddin- TVC
rajdhani is best suited for such a daytime ride. either way. so let us
hear from you all
about
possible dates for such a ride. planning at least one month in advance
will be good.
as for apurva's travel plans, firstly, he will be travelling only about
half of the
section.
so also rajan and sarosh. will they be covering all those jazzy bridges
/ viaducts /
tunnels
or will they be missing some of it.
the data apurva wants can be obtained from the service time table - if
KR has produced
such a document. normally, this service time table is published (for use
by operational
staff only) by each division of the zonal railway. can any one lay a
hand on it.
regards
S. SRINIVAS
Karthik Giddu wrote:
> Hi Folks,
> Why not all irfca members go to Konkan Railway like the trip to
Wakener?. I proposed
> about the same 2 months back.
> What everyone has to say.!!!!!!!!!!!!
> Karthik
>
> Apurva Bahadur wrote:
>
> > Rajan,
> >
> > I need hints on travel on the KR. Starting from Diva onwards, what
are the sight
> > to watch out for and on which side of the train,which sections are
okay to nap
> > on, availability of food etc.
> > Sarosh is booked on the 7th Nov and I am on 8th Nov by the 103 Dn.
Mandovi
> > Express. So a guided tour of the route would be welcome.
> > Elaborate the location of the tunnels, bridges and ghat sections (if
possible
> > with Kms numbers)
> >
> > Apurva
> >
From: Apurva Bahadur <>
Subject: Re: Hints required on KR travel
Date: 19 Sep 1999 11:02:45 -0500
> as for apurva's travel plans, firstly, he will be travelling only
about half of the
> section.
> so also rajan and sarosh. will they be covering all those jazzy
bridges / viaducts /
> tunnels
> or will they be missing some of it.
What I need are practical tips - which side to sit, which are the
bridge/forest/ghat/riverside (the KR runs many Kms by the side of a
river) sections. Which
are the ordinary sections, where one can rest in (this is a 11 hour
sitting journey !!).
Sarosh and I are taking the 103 Mandovi precisely because it is a day
ride.
Apurva
From: Pushkar Apte <>
Subject: Steam revival
Date: 19 Sep 1999 12:12:03 -0500
Millennium Express to start from November
On board the Millennium Express, September 19: Come
November and a unique science-cum-history heritage package will be
provided to tourists on the countrys first Millennium Express train
that will roll over the rails, pulled by a 77-year-old steam engine.
We
are providing the product, which is the train. We want the state
tourism department to promote and market it, Eastern Railway (ER)
general manager S Ramanathan said during the trial run of the train
between Howrah and Tribeni in Hooghly district on Sunday.
Inspired by the success of the Fairy Queen, running between Delhi
and Alwar in Rajasthan, the Millennium Express is powered by a
77-year-old steam locomotive, oldest operating in the ER and the
trips main attraction. ER had phased out steam engines in the early
1990s.
According to Ramanathan, use of the steam locomotive will educate
tourists on one of the greatest scientific inventions. The world
over,
steam engine enthusiasts spend thousands of dollars just to ride a
steam powered train. It is this section that we are targeting, he
said.
The Millennium Express is expected to begin regular service in
November between Howrah and Triveni, via Bandel. West Bengal
Tourism Development Corporations managing director S Chakraborty
said possibilities were being explored to tag on a launch cruise
along
the Hooghly to give the tourists glimpses of the historical and
archaeological sites along the river.
Detailing the circuit plan, Chakraborty said the Millennium Express
will bring tourists from Howrah to Tribeni from where they will be
taken to the historic and archaeological sites in the vicinity. The
tourists will then be taken on the launch cruise with stops at the
former Portuguese colony at Bandel, former Dutch colony at
Chinsurah, former French colony of Chandernagore, former Danish
colony at Serampore and global headquarters of the Ramakrishna
Mission, Belur math. Each of these locations are replete with
history. We are confident that the tourist will get his moneys worth
by availing of the package, Chakraborty said.
According to Ramanathan, initial plans are to operate the train once
a fortnight, but the frequency could be increased if the demand picks
up. If necessary, we can run the train in other circuits too within
our
system, he said.
Both Ramanathan and Chakraborty, however, said that some
infrastructural aspects of the tour were yet to be worked out. While
coal loading and watering facilities for the steam engine had to be
made by the ER, the state government will have to make adequate
launches available.
Sundays trial run of the Millennium Express created a lot of
enthusiasm among the people with cheering crowds lining the tracks
as the HGS (heavy goods super)-class locomotive hooted and
chugged along with a train comprising an AC chair car, an AC lounge
car and two first class coaches. The unnamed vintage locomotive,
number 26761, was manufactured by Englands W M Beardmore
Company and commissioned in 1922. It was operated in the ERs
Asansol division till 1985, after which it was homed for maintenance
at the Madhupur loco shed in Bihar.
Ramanathan said during the commercial run of the train, the coaches
will be replaced by non-AC, open-window bogies along with a
glass-front car to enable tourists to get a wider view along the
railroad
and get the real feel of traveling on a steam-powered train.
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From: S.Shankar <>
Subject: Re: Hints required on KR travel
Date: 19 Sep 1999 12:17:04 -0500
Hello,
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm! Smells delicious already.
Looks like another Apurva/Sarosh webpage is cooking.
Make it snappy, I'M HUNGRY!!!
Cheers.
Shankar
Apurva Bahadur wrote:
>
> > as for apurva's travel plans, firstly, he will be travelling only
about half of the
> > section.
> > so also rajan and sarosh. will they be covering all those jazzy
bridges / viaducts /
> > tunnels
> > or will they be missing some of it.
>
> What I need are practical tips - which side to sit, which are the
> bridge/forest/ghat/riverside (the KR runs many Kms by the side of a
river) sections. Which
> are the ordinary sections, where one can rest in (this is a 11 hour
sitting journey !!).
> Sarosh and I are taking the 103 Mandovi precisely because it is a day
ride.
>
> Apurva
From: Dr. A. K. Arora <>
Subject: Hubli !!
Date: 19 Sep 1999 12:56:54 -0500
Hi Friends,
Does any one know, whether there is a train between Madgaon / Vasco (
Gao )
to Hubli ( near Belgaum ) and further from Hubli to Cochin ?
And if there is please if i can have the train numbers.
Thank you,
Sunil Arora
S/o Dr. A. K. Arora
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From: Prateep Chatterjee <>
Subject: The Millennium Exp.
Date: 19 Sep 1999 15:05:29 -0500
Hi everybody !
This pic. of the millennium exp. loco came in The Statesman Online's
front page.
<A HREF="http://www.thestatesman.org/big.jpg">http://www.thestatesman.org/big.jpg</A>
Check it out
Prateep
--
--------------------------------------------------
Prateep Chatterjee
Graduate Student
Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
and Engineering Mechanics
University of Missouri-Rolla
Rolla, MO 65409
Phone : (573) 308-1542
--------------------------------------------------
From: S.B.Mehta <>
Subject: Re: Hints required on KR travel
Date: 19 Sep 1999 19:24:33 -0500
> Date: Sun, 19 Sep 1999 21:56:04 +0530
> From: "S.SRINIVAS" <asconsri@bgl.email
> To: Karthik Giddu <gidduk@vsnl.email
> Cc: irfca@cs.email iti@vsnl.email rajanmathew@telebot.email
> Subject: Re: Hints required on KR travel
> hello every body
>
> i agree with karthik's suggestion. let us plan out a day journey
between mangalore
> (kankanadi)
> and diva or panvel (or whichever point nearabout mumbai). i suppose
the nizamuddin- TVC
> rajdhani is best suited for such a daytime ride. either way. so let us
hear from you all
> about
> possible dates for such a ride. planning at least one month in advance
will be good.
>
> as for apurva's travel plans, firstly, he will be travelling only
about half of the
> section.
> so also rajan and sarosh. will they be covering all those jazzy
bridges / viaducts /
> tunnels
> or will they be missing some of it.
>
> the data apurva wants can be obtained from the service time table - if
KR has produced
> such a document. normally, this service time table is published (for
use by operational
> staff only) by each division of the zonal railway. can any one lay a
hand on it.
>
> regards
>
> S. SRINIVAS
>
> Karthik Giddu wrote:
>
> > Hi Folks,
> > Why not all irfca members go to Konkan Railway like the trip to
Wakener?. I proposed
> > about the same 2 months back.
> > What everyone has to say.!!!!!!!!!!!!
> > Karthik
> >
> > Apurva Bahadur wrote:
> >
> > > Rajan,
> > >
> > > I need hints on travel on the KR. Starting from Diva onwards, what
are the sight
> > > to watch out for and on which side of the train,which sections are
okay to nap
> > > on, availability of food etc.
> > > Sarosh is booked on the 7th Nov and I am on 8th Nov by the 103 Dn.
Mandovi
> > > Express. So a guided tour of the route would be welcome.
> > > Elaborate the location of the tunnels, bridges and ghat sections
(if possible
> > > with Kms numbers)
> > >
> > > Apurva
> > >
Hi, Gang,
I have read so much about the KR travel of Appu and self; it has
become a glorified affair!
Now, the 0103 Mandovi Express departs at 0515 hrs (if the schedule is
strictly adhered to) from Mumbai CST and arrives at Madgaon at 1620
hrs. As it is a total daytime journey I have, in consultation with my
wife (ofcourse!), booked seats in the ordinary second class. This
will give me complete freedom to move about and shoot as per
convenience! Appu, I hope you too have done a similar booking. Yes,
this train is equipped with a full-fledged pantry car, so no problem
where 'pate-pooja' is concerned.
Viraf and I have to propose a considered opinion. Travelling on the
KR by Rajdhani is a complete no-no. Guys, you will be in sort of
straight-jacket. Foot boarding is out of the question as the TCs are
strict on these trains. This goes for the Shatabdi, too. Both of us
have travelled by these trains on the WR and have experienced these
situations. Then whats the fun in gazing at the splendid countryside
through tinted glasses! Might as well sit at home.
As far as the statistics of the route are concerned, I have with me a
colourful booklet alongwith some pics (picture postcards, actually)
courtesy the KRC! The booklet has complete statistical information
which I shall divulge shortly. But well before in time of our travel,
thats for you, Appu. Today,I am collecting my return tkts which is on
November 17th. Hope to hop over to Vasco yards far a glimpse of WGD4.
Sarosh.
From: poras p.saklatwalla <>
Subject: Re: Hints required on KR travel
Date: 19 Sep 1999 21:25:21 -0500
Sarosh,
The Godrej gang is having a weeks off during diwali. Can we go during
that time. Lets say between Vasai and Mangalore or Madgaon. I am game
for the Idea. If diwali is not convenient than one of the Holidays in
October i.e. Dusshera.
Poras
From: Apurva Bahadur <>
Subject: Re: The Millennium Exp.
Date: 20 Sep 1999 01:00:32 -0500
The TOI also carries a picture of the Millennium Express on a
platform.
The news is that this train would run every Sunday from Howrah
to
Shantiniketan and back. I wish more Zonal railways would take
similar
lead and keep atleast a few of their mothballed BG powers in
motion.
Maybe this trend would catch. I am sure that if the ME were to
have
reasonable fares, a lot of 'ordinary' junta (including self !)
would
love a Sunday morning joyride behind a 1928 locomotive (direct
comparison to The Fairy Queen etc.)
I always feel that although most of the steam locos have been
scrapped
by now, every zonal railways has 'hidden' a few prime steam
powers for
such an eventuality. May I be proved true - Come on Central
Railways !!
Apurva
Prateep Chatterjee wrote:
> Hi everybody !
>
> This pic. of the millennium exp. loco came in The Statesman Online's
> front page.
>
> <A HREF="http://www.thestatesman.org/big.jpg">http://www.thestatesman.org/big.jpg</A>
>
From: Apurva Bahadur <>
Subject: BCN Rake
Date: 20 Sep 1999 01:05:27 -0500
Gang !
A quick visit to the station to see someone off on the 6529
Udyan Express to Bangalore. Just as I was entering the
platform area a BCN rake went by. Many of the wagons were rust
coloured which is an exception to the green air braked wagons.
There seems to be a move to convert BCN to BCNA type of wagon.
The A variant is slightly taller. There were a few wagons in
the rake which had a green coloured body but a rust coloured
top of a BCNA grafted to it. I like the booming sound made by
a CBC equipped rake when being jerked into acceleration.
Apurva