This trip is came about at the instance of Mohan Bhuyan, who decided to 'just pass
through' Durgapur (about 160 kms west of Calcutta), with a full day's break of journey. Deciding to give him company,
I made my plans accordingly. Earlier experience ensured I did not take any chances this time, and tickets were
duly booked through the convenience of IRCTC.
On the appointed day, I woke up early, and took a cab to the station. The roads being reasonably empty at that
hour, I reached the station much before time, and my train, the 2381 Poorva Express (via Gaya), was not yet at
the platform. I walked around a bit, checking what all trains were there. Apart from the customary EMUs, there
was WAP-4 # 22507 (Howrah shed) at the head of the 2308 Howrah-Jodhpur Express, and it had its front panto up.
At 0852, the 3036 Asansol-Howrah Agnibeena Express drew in headed by a Howrah WAP-4 (#22240), seven minutes late.
I made my way to platform 8, where the Poorva was scheduled to depart from. The rake was already in, having been
brought in by a WDS-6R # 36000 of Howrah shed. The coach composition was as follows:
Loco, SLR, GS, GS, HA1, A2, A1, AS3, AS2, AS1, PC, S12, S11, A10, S9, S8, S7, S6, S5, S4, S3, S2, S1, SLR. I moved
to the front of the train and was sorely disappointed to see a Howrah based WAP-4 #22377 at the head. I was expecting
a P-7!!!
I took my side lower seat in coach S5 and waited. The gentleman opposite me was going to Durgapur too, and from
him I learnt that you cannot get a reservation till Durgapur. You can only get one upto Asansol and beyond, and
that too against the Asansol quota. That explained why I has a ticket till Asansol too.
We left Howrah at 0925, right on time, but just outside we slowed down for caution orders. Picking up speed, we
made our way, but stopped again just after Chandanpur. We made good time after that, and I was watching out, after
having had a rather decently made omelette with bread for Rs 20/-. The familiar claps pulled me out of my reverie.
Eunuchs again!!! The claps moved closer, and I got ready. The moment they were beside me I took out my wallet and
opened the change compartment, upon which the 'lady' looked at me and mumbled something about ten rupees and I
could keep my change. I was rather surprised that they did not use stronger methods to make me to part with my
money.
Most of the down trains were running hours late. Mohan's Kalka Mail from Delhi had touched Durgapur 5 hours late
and we crossed it at Barddhaman. A few other late running expresses crossed us, including the Mumbai-Howrah Mail
via Allahabad. I was keeping a watch out for the Rajdhanis, but neither crossed us, indicating they were running
rather late too.
We pulled into Durgapur just a few minutes before midday, a few minutes late. Milan Chatterjee was supposed to
meet me at the station. There was no trace of him and I later learnt he hadn't made it to Durgapur at all (he was
at Calcutta then). I called Mohan (who I knew had reached by then) and he said to meet him at his hotel, a few
minutes from the station. I took a rickshaw across, and found him in his tiny room. We were laughing at the hotel,
but it was sufficient for his needs… a room and a bathroom, both clean enough. The balcony afforded a view to the
railway tracks, with nothing of interest in the way of movements. We soon decided to head out, to grab lunch and
a beer. The hotel reception told us about a place called the Riviera, by the river. We found a cycle rickshaw to
take us there.
Riviera was at a nice location, and a very pleasant place. Government owned, but run by a private operator, it
had rooms as well as a restaurant, and the food was pretty decent. Only unfortunate part was that the bar had been
temporarily shut down and we were forced to eat without any beer to keep us chilled! After a leisurely lunch of
fish fry, chicken and rotis (downed with the ubiquitous Thums Up), we headed out, taking a stroll by the river
till we reached the Durgapur Barrage. After spending a few minutes taking in the sights, we took a rickshaw back
to the hotel. This particular rickshaw had seats of a lesser width, and that, coupled with the bad road, made the
ride a hell on wheels. Somehow I did manage to hang on, and upon setting foot on terra firma, I felt alive once
again. We decided to get a beer so after vacated his room, we found a bar and spent just over half an hour there,
before making our way back to the station.
Mohan's Jhajha-Guwahati express was scheduled to depart at 1730, and my Black Diamond Express at 1815. Entering
the station, there was no sign of the train. Upon enquiry, we found it was running slightly late. Spent a few minutes
chatting at the platform. The station announcements made live by a male voice were totally incomprehensible. Soon
Mohan's train pulled in led by a HWH WDM-2. There was only one AC coach, a 3A. it had all new coaches, mostly of
04 vintage. it was an AFR rake, with the exception that the 3A coach was a CR one. It has a 30 minute scheduled
stop here since it reverses direction. It was almost 6 pm and I bade Mohan farewell and made my way to platform
4 where the Black Diamond was supposed to come. There was a large crowd waiting for it.
The station's PA system announced the imminent arrival of the Black Diamond Express. Strangely enough this time
it was a very pleasant female voice doing the honours, much like the prerecorded ones at Howrah station. The train
came in almost on time. Once again, it was disappointing to not find a P-7 at the helm. A HWH WAP-4 led from the
front. I had no idea where my S-1 coach was. I found the AC coaches where I was waiting and I enquired from the
TTE who emerged from it. He pointed at the next coach and warned me to get in fast and make sure I get my seat
since it was very crowded. There WAS a huge rush and I managed to board, pushing my way in. I found my window seat,
No. 30, occupied by a young lady, and feeling a little guilty, I requested her to vacate and parked myself. The
train started off, stopping at Panagarh and Mankar on the way back before entering Barddhaman.
I was looking forward to once again trying out the chicken cutlet, the accompanying fries which I had so immensely
enjoyed the previous time I had been on this run. Sure enough when the pantry car staff somehow managed his way
through the teeming crowds, I asked for a plate, which he got within a few minutes. This time I was served in a
plastic plate, with a steel fork. The quantity of fries was a little lesser than the previous time, a few pieces
of boiled vegetables had taken its place!!! Having fully enjoyed my meal, I deposited the plate under my seat and
then began feeling guilty at the thought of having made the rather attractive lady vacate my seat. The older gentleman
accompanying her said she was not feeling very good at having to stand so I offered her my seat, which she took.
I stood for a while, till we reached Barddhaman, where they detrained. I reclaimed my seat and took a few photographs,
not an easy proposition in the dark and the moving train.
We made good progress. At the next stop at Bandel, the train had quite emptied out. The last stop before Howrah,
at Seoraphuli saw more folks getting off. It was a relief. I then dozed off for a while, and woke up to find us
just entering the Howrah yards. We were well before time, but the delay at the yard meant that we pulled into platform
9 on schedule, at 2125. Happy to be back home, I quickly made my way out, and confronted the rather long queue
for taxis. I was surprised to find two rather efficient policemen manning the taxi lines and they cleared a large
number of passengers in a matter of minutes. Usually, there are no policemen at this hour. Who knows… maybe they
were just waiting till 10 pm to get home. A pretty enjoyable trip it turned out to be! |
|
|
|
|
At Howrah station awaiting departure. Note Howrah Bridge fainly visible in the background.
|
|
The Howrah Loco Shed, shot from a moving train. Note the WAP-7 laying in wait.
|
|
The gate to the Riviera in Durgapur.
|
|
A loco plinthed outside Durgapur station. Was not able to find out what loco, but
I guess it saw service on Bankura-Raynagar line
|
|
Platform 1 at Durgapur station, with people awaiting the Jhajha-Guwahati Express.
|
|
An EMU parked at Bandel Jn.
|
|
Interior of the GSCN
coach of the Black Diamond Express.
|
|
Another EMU, which passed us on the way.
|
|
