This is an LPG (Liquified Petroleum Gas) special probably coming
from Loni petrol receiving station towards Mumbai.
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This train seems to be a composite of two independent rakes,
half the train is four-wheeler tank wagon and the rest are
eight-wheeler tank wagons. This is one of the 'brakeless' trains
that run on short level sections between Daund and Lonavala. The
term 'brakeless' refers to the absence of a guard's van (known as
brake van) rather than a lack of devices to stop the train. The
guard rides in the cab of the loco! |
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All hazardous trains (handling inflammable or explosive
material) have at least one 'ordinary' wagon marshalled at both the
ends of the train. The 'non-hazardous' wagon is supposed to handle
the impact of any collision from either end. Note the 4-wheeler
closed wagons marshalled directly behind the twin WDM2s of Pune
shed for the same purpose. |
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Lack of a high platform forces the parcel guys to dump your
precious goods right from the SLR (guard and parcel van in the
passenger rake) onto the ground. An eighteen-coach train on
platform 2 end at this point. |
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Detailed view of the leading loco. The long train proceeding
towards the Mumbai-side Up yard. |
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Note the unequal spacing of the wheels of the WDM2. The larger
gap contains two traction motors and the smaller gap has only
one. |
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Speed restriction of crossover behind them, the locos now set
out to gain speed. Note the guard sitting in the slave loco's
cab. |
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String of four-wheeler LPG wagons going thud — thud on
the rails. |
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The four wheeler section over, there are two flat cars (BFRs)
to separate the rakes. Now the eight-wheeler section begins. The
sound is thud thud — thud thud. |
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One more pic! |
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The last BFR forming the end of the train. The tail of BFR is
adorned with the round "LV" plate and a red light. The 'LV'
represents 'Last Vehicle'. The presence of this plate is proof that
the train is intact and the wayside station staff make it a point
to 'sight' this board. Absence of this board is treated like an
emergency situation as it indicates that the 'load' has 'parted'
and may be runaway or obstructing the track. |