As yet another train journey, it was really nothing to post leave alone boast about. But as an RF experience the 40-min ride on the 02652 Pollachi - Palani Exp Special train from Pollachi to Udumalpet was indeed memorable for more reasons than just one. The awesome scenery en route, the undulating landscape, the gradients and curvature of the track, the spectacle of wayside onlookers gazing intently at the passing train, the soaring windmills that stood tall amidst the surrounding paddy fields and coconut tress, the constant smoking of a GOC made WDM --------- which huffed and puffed while making heavy weather of hauling the 18-coacher rake of the Palani - Chennai overnight SF Express all combined to ensure that the journey was an unforgettable event. The laboured run of the loco nearing superannuation was like the effort of a PKV to participate in a marathon. A chat with the LP...
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revealed that although the section was cleared for an MPS of 70 kmph, the veteran loco rarely surpassed 45 kmph in view of the terrain and the massive load assigned to it.
But to begin at the beginning the train ride was preceded by a car drive from Coimbatore to Pollachi RS where the car was parked. The next mode of transport was the train to Udumalpet wherefrom, after a welcome round of tea & snacks, we boarded a bus to go back to Pollachi bus stand. From there to the railway station we had to resort to our 4th mode of transport for the day in the form of an autorickshaw. After all these efforts we were back at Pollachi Rly Station at 6.45 pm after having left Coimbatore at 3.15 pm, covering in this duration a distance of about 100 kms.
Of course the crowning point of the RF mission was that I had the good fortune of accompanying two avid railfans and peerless friends from IRI viz. Nazeer Alibaba and Pramodh Kommattil. Now over to them for the visuals as well as further narrations.