#Memories #2008
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Its a long story, hope u'll like it. :-)
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Journey in Sethu Express
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I was often excited to travel to Rameswaram since my childhood, and I knew, there were few trains connecting from Madras Egmore, but not a single train connecting from Howrah, Hyderabad or any other place. Reason, that section was under meter gauge, small locos, and small coaches, almost, the coach never had the side lower and upper, a unique way to travel.
Dad, mom, grandpa and grandma have seen the Meter Gauge era at Egmore back in the 70-80’s, and I was excited to see them, but to my bad luck, the gauge conversion was done, and the broad gauge trains took over. Luckily few older trains resumed their services in BG era.
One of’em was Madras Egmore – Rameswaram Sethu Express.
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As I scanned the pages of Trains at Glance, I came across Time Table No 21A or so, it showed a train from Egmore – Rameswaram. Contact dad immediately regarding this, checked out the availability n booked 4 seats in the Sleeper Class.
How I traveled til Egmore, I will write it up in next part, i.e my journey in the Howrah – Madras Mail.
Anyways back to Rameswaram journey, I got my bags packed again at Hotel Rajdhani, called for an Auto, who charged 50 bucks, just for 2-3 miles. I was stunned to hear such price, but had to pay n move on.
This was my first sight of Chennai Egmore, one of the classic era stations, with a different structure.
As I entered on the pf, I saw a train standing, and it was none other than the legendary Vaigai Express, standing with a Diesel loco. Interestingly, Vaigai was running late, and dad came up n told about this legendary fastest MG train. Our train, Egmore-Rameswaram was stationed just on the other side, coaches clean, interiors shining, guess, it was completely washed out by the officials. I soon had a short tour on the pf, but stood at the edge, where WDM-2(or 3A) was idling and the crews were making some last minute checkups.
As the time got almost 3.45 pm, Vaigai’s Diesel lord honked harder, almost got blew out my ear drums, mind’em, these ALCO’s have a powerful honk, exceptional for modern ones which are being replaced with EMD or else other type of honk. The crew pulled up the lever, and the train moved out slowly, out of the pf, and disappeared in few minutes in a curve, where 3-4 EMU’s were rushing on the other side.
Soon after few mins, the authorities started pasting the chart list on the coaches and we boarded. Tables, neat seat covers, bottle holder, the coach was absolute shiny n well washed, cause’ the floor was wet almost everywhere. I sat down at my window seat, looking out at the public busy checking and in the far end, the regular run of the EMU’s were clearly visible. I got down, just having a look at the loco link; a green colored Diesel Loco, probably either a WDM-2/3A, came in and got attached. It was almost time, the diesel loco was getting ready, and the train was already full in just 30 mins.
At 5pm exact, the Diesel lord honked, and gave tug, the journey begins, moving out slowly from Egmore station, the diesel loco, started to chug slowly, probably increasing its speed as it crossed every restriction board. Within 10-15 minutes, the train picked up the speed, unknown what was the sectional speed back in those days, I presumed, it would be around 90-100.
The train gained speed, almost blasting through all the suburban stations, and yeah, got the glimpse of Moongambakkam, the place where mom n dad stayed in Egmore for almost few months, before shifting to Mumbai. As the sun was lowering down, behind those buildings and trees, the train didn’t seem to slow down, exceptionally, not much restriction boards were seen. But around 5.30 pm, the train did seem to slow down, I opened my TAAG book, n checked out, yeah, it’s Tambaram, quite interesting name, almost reminded me of Tambulam. The halt was just for 2 mins, and again the diesel lord started firing its cylinders. Oh yes, not to mention, I saw the meter gauge dysfunctional tracks, which were lying in bad condition, the train was cruising through fields, greenery was surrounded. I almost fell asleep near the window, as the cold air was blasting through, hearing to the lovely sound tracks, the Diesel run, never fails to impress me.
As Villupuram arrived, by god, it arrived almost 10 mins before schedule, interesting eh? Dinner was served here. I saw the OHE’s, but no sign of any electric loco either, maybe I missed them out in other stations. After a 20 min halt, the train started up, and me looking at my dinner tray, err, can’t describe what exactly I had, but yes, it was good dinner though. I finished up fast, arranged the berth for dad n mom, and mine being a middle berth, I didn’t wanna sleep, but rather sit by the window n watch the overnight dazzling run by the diesel lord. Oh yes, I did sit by the window, and of course fell asleep near grandma’s head, as she was sleeping just beside me, laid her head near my thighs.
Around 1.30am- 2am, I woke up, in a very groggy faced. I just checked out, why the train was standing for so long and it was Madurai junction.
(Yes folks, Sethu Express usually ran via Thiruchirapalli – Dindigul – Madurai Junction after the BG conversion, until it was diverted in other route later)
I couldn’t get down as I was too lazy. The cops who were talking on other berth, made a friendly gesture, and asked about our destination. I replied normally, that we were headed to Rameswaram. In no time, these cops gave out some suggestions for best family hotel, tourist info.
Yeah, friendly cops, of Rameswaram Div.
Around 2.10-2.15 am, the train resumed its halt, and as it moved out, I saw it was entering the Madurai – Rameswaram branch line, the train started picking up speed again, and I can clearly hear the chugging noise, as it completely silence both, inside n outside. I decided to sit till Rameswaram, but as usual, the cold wind started to blast, n there, I go back to sleep in no minutes, but this time, I was on my middle berth, allowing my grandma to sleep properly at least.
Too troublesome youngster, eh?
“Wake up, I guess we are reaching the station, wake up” these usual words by none other than mom who was already awaken. As I got up n got down, I almost landed my foot on a girl. Woah, where did she come from, not only her, but surprised to see her family sitting in our berths, silently. I curiously asked about their place of boarding, and it seems, they have boarded at Ramananthpur. Ignored and moved on, as I told mom, the station is quite near, so let’em sit.
mom was busy packing the bedsheet n pillows and I was eyeing suspiciously. She said, station is coming, but as I heard it deep silence, it was not a station, it wasn’t even traveling on a ground neither the speed was high. I could hear a very slow dhad dhad, yes, it’s Pamban Bridge. My happiness ran down my nerves, I almost ran to the door, with my slippers lying in half route. Yes, the train is cruising on the worlds’ most dangerous bridge almost below 15 km/h. I soon saw the Cantilver system, which were closed. And guess the timings it was almost 4.15 am in the morning and that was one hell shot of dazzling run in between Madurai – Rameswaram.
I could see the lights falling the sea and even the rocks, kinda sea bed visible, and oh yea, not to forget the diesel lord pulling the 15 coach train cautiously. As soon as we crossed the bridge, I alerted my dad n others to wake up for now, as in no time, the train gained speed again.
And here comes to an end, one of the memorable journeys, hauled by a DLW made ALCO technology WDM-2(or a 3A) of unknown shed, but yes it was green.
Reached Rameswaram finally around 4.40 am, I stepped down on a crispy, crunchy platform, mostly it was being renovated for the future and many passengers were struggling to haul their luggage on the pf.
For one last time, I just turned back, and saw the mighty green Diesel loco standing silently, probably taking a bit rest, before going back to sidings for rest until next duty.
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One thing folks, what I love about this section, its greenery, a rural back ground, friendly atmosphere, far away little hills n valleys, I’ll never forget it and if I get a chance in near future, I’m surely gonna take another ride to Rameswaram.
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Hope u enjoyed this Trip Journey, Folks.