Velankanni Vasco-Da-Gama Weekly Express/17316

Ascending up the Braganza Ghat, & meeting penta diesels at Sonalium: Triple alcos on duty
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Hauled by 16499 WDM- 3A of KJM shed, and banked by 14580 and 14695 WDG- 3A twins of GY (Gooty) shed mu'ed, the 17315 Vasco-da-gama (VSG)-- Velankanni (VLKN) Weekly Express keeps ascending up the mighty Braganza Ghat section with numerous curves enroute the thick Karwar forest. At Sonalium (LIM), we meet a set of triple WDG- 4 and twin WDG- 3A together, which were waiting on the loop line to give us clearance. Note the local people doing foot-plating on the light locos (which were returning to Kulem after some freight duty upto Castle Rock). Envy them. :-)
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The penta locos were:
1) 12051 UBL WDG- 4
2) 12100 UBL WDG- 4
3) 12033 UBL WDG- 4
4) 14582 GY WDG- 3A
5) 14571 GY WDG- 3A
A small fact about Gooty DLS:
GY Diesel shed is home to diesel locomotives of the ALCO WDG- 2A, WDG- 3A, WDM- 3A, WDG- 4, and WDM- 3D classes. Gooty Diesel shed holds a unique distinction of having come up with a unique braking system for its locomotives. Aptly titled as 'Auto Emergency Brakes' or short AEB, these brakes automatically get activated if the locomotive exceeds a preset speed limit. These brakes have been incorporated on the ALCO WDM- 3A, and are put to active use in the Braganza Ghats section on the Castle Rock - Kulem section of the South Western Railways. The Braganza Ghats section has 1 in 40 gradients which necessitate the usage of locomotives with Auto Emergency Brakes.