I traveled by 11030 KOP CSTM Koyna Exp from KOP to PUNE on 14th March 2014. I was traveling by this train on this direction after so many years. Earlier I used to traveled by this train between these cities.
I occupied my seat no. D3 – 61, of course my favorite Window Seat. The Koyna Exp departed KOP sharp at 7:55 hrs. with KJM WDP-4B 40016. The first regular crossing took place at Hatkanangale (HTK). 51441 STR KOP Passenger crossed us here with PUNE WDM-3A. Our train arrived MRJ slightly late by 2 minutes. When it entered the station I saw a BCN train with twin PUNE WDG-3As was detained for arrival of 11030 in the junction. That train departed as...
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soon as the Koyna Exp stopped on PF-1. There was 51461 MRJ BGM Passenger was standing on PF-2. But our train departed MRJ late by 15 minutes at 9:25.
We arrived Sangli (SLI) on PF-1 and within a few minutes 23 coach train 16507 JU SBC Exp. with KJM WDP-4B arrived SLI on PF-3. Taking 3 minutes halt Koyna left SLI. From here it started running as express because it takes all halts (9 halts) between KOP & SLI. At its next commercial halt at Takari I saw that 11040 G KOP Maharashtra Exp was already there and detained because Koyna had occupied the Block Section. We arrived at Karad (KRD) 5 minutes late at 10:50.
At next commercial halt – Masur (MSR) there were two trains waiting 1 BCN train with twin PUNE WDG-4s towards PUNE and 1 WDG-4 12056 light towards MRJ. At Koregaon a freight train consisting BOST & BRN wagons with WDG-4 12065 going towards MRJ was detained on Main Line. Then again Our train arrived & departed STR 12 minutes late. After Satara (STR) at Jarandeshwar (JSV) Koyna was taken on the Loop Line. I understood that 12148 NZM KOP Exp with PUNE WDM-3A was going to cross from opposite direction at 12:31 hrs. We crossed Palsi (PLV) and took another commercial halt at Wathar (WTR). 51409 PUNE KOP Passenger was waiting there till getting Line Clear. It was 12:50 & our train was running 15 minutes late.
Now came one of the enjoyable section of the journey – the Adarki Ghat. The Koyna started running on sharp-curved track. After crossing the first tunnel of the journey I saw the Distance Signal of Adarki showing Double-Yellow Aspect. I thought that there might be a crossing and we were going to be detained. But At the Entrance I found that the train was slowed down because we were going to cross the station along the Loop Line. It was so because a Track Machine and twin WDG-4s were standing on the Main Line. Till Jejuri (JJR) we were running late by 7 minutes. There was a Train loaded with Concrete Sleepers standing with PUNE WDS-6 to DN direction. Before that we had crossed the 11029 CSTM KOP Koyna Exp with newly painted KJM WDP-4B at Daundaj (DNJ) at 14:06. Till 14:40 we crossed another enjoyable section the Shindavane Ghat & I saw 4 PUNE WDG-4 standing on Loop Line of Shindavane. After crossing this station at 14:43 our train was speeded up. At next station Alandi (ALN) we overtook 51410 KOP PUNE Passenger running with PUNE WDM-3A. that was the last crossing. Finally the Koyna reached PUNE PF-5 at 15:30, i.e. 10 minutes before time. 11008 PUNE CSTM Deccan Exp was there on the PF-4.
During my journey I learnt that Lunch facility in this train has been discontinued. Earlier Railway catering staff used to come before Satara and take lunch orders and Lunch was being served at Wathar. But Nobdy came to take order on 14/3/14. Twice I odered it years ago.
Photo-1.Koyna Exp. crossing Valha Station.
Photo-2. Koyna Exp running along long curved track after Jayasinghpur.