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End of the journey for the Guntakal WDM2 # 16388
which has hauled the 6011 Dn express from Pune. Note the steel
guard over the air brake hoses — this is now common on many
electric and diesel locos. |
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GTL power # 16388 leaves the 6011 Dn rake for a
well-deserved rest. The guard in the earlier picture ensures some
survival for the brake hoses in the event of accidents with cattle,
which often damage the brake hoses and leave a train stranded even
if the locomotive is otherwise unharmed. |
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RU is the station where diesel locos must give into
the AC electric locos towards Chennai. RU is also the point where a
branch runs towards Tirupati. Here the TPTY - Mumbai express
arrives on the TPTY branch. |
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More diesel power — this time the 1063
locomotive, the Guntakal shed WDM2 # 16389. This is a short haul
for the power, as it was attached fresh at Guntakal. The train
reverses the up and down status at this station. Hence the 1063
which as arrived as a down train from Mumbai will be referred to as
1063 Up by the SR towards Chennai. |
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Note the diamond-in-a-circle insignia of the GTL
shed — it appears to be a decal. I personally prefer the
older markings as seen in the first picture. |
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The Tirupati branch can be clearly seen on the
right. The WDM2 now clears the tracks for the barely-visible WAM4
loco waiting further on the tracks. |
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In a reversal of situations — the diesel now
waits far away while the Arakonnam (AJJ) shed WAM4D-6P # 20508
arrives to couple to the 1063. Note the odd multiple unit connector
(most probably for the push-pull Saptagiri Express) on this face of
the loco. |
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The loco lacks the special MU connector in this end. |
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The AJJ WAM4D-6P # 20674 coupling for the 6011
express. This loco has a similar steel hose guard mentioned
earlier. |
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In the return journey, the GTL WDM2 # 18983 moves
to take charge of the Mumbai-bound 1064. |
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The AJJ WAM4D-6P # 21258 hauled the 1064 between
Chennai and Renigunta. |
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A detailed view of the humanoid figure on the AJJ
WAM4 D-6P # 20689 of the 6012 express. It was suggested by Sridhar
Shankar that this was a insignia of the Tatanagar shed. However
that does not appear to be the valid explanation, unless this is an
ex-TATA loco. |
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GTL WDM2# 16200 is a '14-day schedule' loco —
this is done by increasing the capacities of the various liquids.
Here it backs to couple to the 6012 express. An ordinary WDM2 can
be out of the shed for around 10 days or 3000 Kms (whichever is
earlier), after which it must come back for the '10-day schedule'
maintenance. |
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Note the rectangular signals over the Renigunta
starter signal — the one on the left is marked as 'M' for
mainline (towards Guntakal); if the train is to leave towards the
right (towards Gudur), the 'B' for branch line is illuminated. |
