Presenting my first trip report on IRI! (MAS-SBC-MAS TRIP)
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PART-1(MAS-SBC):
Date:24.01.2017(Tuesday)
Train:12657 Chennai-Bengaluru Mail
Loco:RPM...
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WAP7 30393
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To begin with,this was my first train journey of 2017 and it was in SWR's Sleep Killer,the train which never disappoints me. Reached MAS well before the scheduled departure time around 22:20 hrs which meant I had 55 mins to myself for some loco observations/spottings. 7 Mail was berthed onto PF.No.5,its customary PF at MAS. It had been shunted by a TNP WDMx. Meanwhile,Yercaud Express was preparing itself for its departure from PF.No.6.
At 22:25 hrs,rescheduled MAS-TVC Mail left in its brand new LHB avatar from PF.No.3. Its general coaches were brimming with passengers. At the same time, people left no stone unturned to catch a place for their 5.5 hour long journey in the general coaches of 7 Mail. Parcels and packages were being thrown literally into the SLR coach and also into the UR coach. No matter how much ever parcel is being cramped into, people managed to squeeze themselves into the coach. My coach was S7, 2005 made and had no charging points. As always, coach was well maintained par excellence by SWR. In short,old coach in new avatar. It took nearly 20 mins for the door to be opened and lights and fans to be switched on. Somehow,I waded through the coach to find my seat(LB non-track side).
After arranging the luggage,I got down to check our loco link, the customary ritual that every railfan conscientiously does. A long walk I would say as my coach was right in the middle of the rake. I had to hobble through the PF amidst passengers and luggage and reached the end of my train after 5 minutes to find that white stallion 30393 was the loco assigned for the Mail that day. It took me by surprise as the loco was not energised albeit there were only 15 minutes or so left for departure and there was no sign of the crew members. After having a glimpse of the link of Mail, I started off to my coach, this time a little slower. While returning, I spotted the empty NZM GR rake still on PF.No.2.
In the mean time, Yercaud had left bang on time with an unknown WAP4 which sounded a long honk prior to departure. After Yercaud's departure, Kovai led by RPM WAP7 30423 was received on the same PF. It was delayed by 45 mins. RPM WAP4 22960 was waiting to proceed to BBQ ETS from PF.No.11 and ED WAP4 22261 was warming up before hauling MAS-HWH Mail. BL WAG7 28756 which hauled Saptagiri Express also waited for its turn to go to BBQ ETS.
At sharp 23:15 hrs, P7 whined and we started off to the garden city. LPs were in a hurry that P7 accelerated within the PF limits to 20/30 kmph and they had to slam the brakes to slow down. The best part was the continuous 3 phase twin tone honking. Mail slowly made its way out of MAS. As we reached BBQ,we picked up speed and accelerated madly ignoring the double amber signal. LPs were in no mood to obey the signal. As we neared VJM, P7 braked hard to switch on to the fast line. Needless to say, after joining the fast line, Mail showed its true colours. We touched MPS in no time and there we were, going on a rampage through the suburbs of Chennai. Post that, I was oblivious of where we were. All I could feel was that the coach was violently shaking and at times, we were slightly overspeeding. Once I heard a stone getting crushed under the wheels and the parts hitting the bottom of the coach.
I woke up just in time to see Mail crazily speeding through WFD at MPS. Seldom, I have witnessed this skip. Also,skipping KJM at MPS was icing on the cake. We were not held up anywhere till BNCE. We departed after a minute's halt at 04:30 hrs from BNCE. Reached BNC at 04:40 hrs where we were held up for 5 mins as clearance was not given. There was a KJM alco in standard KJM livery and KJM WDG4 12026 both live and were waiting for their next assignment at PF.No.1A. We did not stop anywhere between BNC and SBC. We pulled onto PF.No.4 at SBC at 04:55 mins early by 15 mins. There were a couple of P4s,P7s and a G9 waiting for their duties at PF.No.1. A WAP4 was coupled to the rake of SBC-MAS SF.
Overall rating:
Cleanliness- 10/10.
Comfort-9/10(Jerks were felt ocassionally).
Speed & Punctuality-10/10(P7's immense acceleration was impeccable).

PART-2 (SBC-MAS): /blog/post/2144525.