Bangalore Raj is officially getting E-loco in another 2 days!!!
While this news is flashed, my mind raced to a flash back. It was a Sunday morning dawning bright at Secunderabad in 1994 A.D. And as a Railfan, I am at the station with my mom for receiving my cousin, arriving by the then 70xx Charminar Express from Chennai, scheduled and expected to arrive at 8:15AM on Pf-2. My mom takes me to PF-2 while the Pf-1 is occupied by the Extra long East Coast Express
On Platform 2 was a rake I...
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hadnt seen before (i was 7 years old then). It was cream in colour with red and blue stripes running across the coaches. The coaches had glasses i hadnt seen much before. i asked my mom what was this train. She told "Rajadhani Express" going to Bangalore. She then asked me the meaning of Rajadhani.. I said= Capital (I learnt Hindi as 2nd language from Class 1). She told- yes this connects the Capital of India to Capital of Karnataka.. i replied- but now its standing in Capital of Andhra Pradesh.. she said. yes.. I went through the coaches.. It was a tiny rake guess it had about 8 coaches along with a PC. 3A class was not heard of and I dont remember whether it had a CC. There was this H1 coach flaunting itself.. Abbreviation H- Mom said AC First class.. I asked- where is the F- She said No its only all AC.. By the time clearance was given for it to leave and the train left- Again i asked- why is this so small (East coast with 20 coaches on Pf-1 was way too long compared to this tiny thing)- Mom said- For speed.. and full AC how many coaches can it take.- Next- whats PC- Pantry car-something like Kitchen said my mom. the last generator car passed.. why is this for?? mom said- to run the AC's after all so many coaches
In the next 2 years (Upto 1996) this Raj was one of my regular spottings especially during its run to Nizamuddin. Once to see my relatives while major others while waiting for the Chennai bound Charminar.. The train never failed to arouse me.. Each and every time I saw it I felt there was something in that train
1998: This time we are in Bangalore. I wasnt too concentrated on train timings. My uncle said he has booked for himself and grandparents to Secunderabad by the Raj 3A (3A class was introduced and Govt officials had eligibility of LTA then). Went to the station totally confused.. How can I see a train in Bangalore at 18:35 hrs while I saw the same in SC 2 years back at almost same time- Does it take 24 hrs for the section- Dad later confirmed me that timings were revised. The 3A coach was something I hadnt seen at all- it was an experience to be in the same.. i was all the more excited for that day my dad took me to majestic in a new bus route- 215E/2C and double excited seeing the even more beautiful Raj.. Well Karnataka had to leave at 1825 while Raj at 1835. Asked my dad how does he overtake.. Dad was not sure as he has never seen KK getting overtaken by Raj.. but later platform allotment confirmed.. Raj left from PF-10 which goes to YPR and joins YNK thus not even seeing Karnataka expres and overtaking him in a hideous way
Well so this was my Raj experience...of my childhood...