Attached the PDF file comprising all parts of my travelogue. kindly read it and provide your valuable comments. the same i have posted in text as 5 different parts and have provided the link of the same below. kindly refer. thank you for reading it patiently.
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Part - 1 : /blog/post/4631299
Part - 2 : /blog/post/4636107
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- 3 : /blog/post/4640339
Part - 4 : /blog/post/4646795
Part - 5 : /blog/post/4650758

Travelogue on Mumbai - Pune - Mumbai trip.
PART - 2 : /blog/post/4636107
for PART - 1: /blog/post/4631299
PART - 3 : Onboard 17321 Huballi - LTT Weekly Express.
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utkrisht rakes of deccan express was parked in the platform – 4 before our train started departing from pune. Our train cleared the loop lines slowly. Meanwhile we were passing through the loco trip shed and pit lines in pune station outer, forgot myself for a minute when I saw the rake of indrayani express being parked in the pitline. For a second, I recalled the wonderful moments I had when I was onboard the same that day morning. Saw some locos like ajni and Vadodara based WAP – 7 class locomotives, Ghaziabad based WAP – 7 with big P – 7 fonts in loco. KYN based WCAM – 2 and 3 class locomotives, bhusaval based WAP – 4 class locomotive, some WAG – 9 locomotive, pune based WDM – 2 locos which were used for shunting and some WDP – 4D locomotives too. As usual, snapped the pictiures of the same. We entered the mainline, crossed mutha river bridge and started accelerating steadily. We started moving out of the pune suburbs. Being a sunny day, the place where I sat near the door and the door handle, I was holding for balance was hot to touch, but yes adjusted meanwhile. We curved through Shivajinagar station in a good speed and as we were speeding, thought that we would anyway reach khandala around 15:30 hrs max and enjoy the available time there.
Also, checked the opposite pairs of trains that could possibly cross us. The first candidate that we are supposed to cross is 16339 mumbai csmt – Nagercoil express, i.e. mr. Nagercoil as called fondly by railfans in that region. Thought that somehow will capture this train at khandala itself. Mean while we crossed khadki and dapodi stations in good speed, as we neared kasarwadi, train started slowing down. From kasarwadi, train started moving slowly. Thought that it is negotiating temporary speed restriction and some how will pick up speed after leaving the station. But even after leaving the station, the train moved with the same speed. Did not suspect the situation initially. It was moving say in 50 – 60 kmph speed, was maintaining that, skipped pimpri station. Few minutes after we left pimpri station, we slowed down further. Thought that it was one another temporary speed restriction and was hoping that the train would move further in a good speed after negotiating that.
As we passed few kilometers, we started looping into a station. Initially thought that we are skipping this station in loop since there possibly could be some work happening in the main line of that station or may be some goods train or departmental vehicle could have been parked there. Moving further, we entered a platform which was in good height. The name board read it as chinchwad. As we moved further, I peeped into the mainline to see if such things which I mentioned above was there. But in reality, nothing was there. Realised that the main line was free. Meanwhile my train further decelerated and came to a halt. Our coach was at the end of the platform and the luggage coach in front of out coach was already out of the platform. People standing near the door in my coach they got down and was standing. There was a bit of shade near my coach though it was a scorching sunny day. Rested my big bag near the door and went to the door exactly in the opposite side. Peeped the signal there and it was red. Again, came to my side, the same prevailed. All the signals were red.
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Now that train halted, meanwhile, purchased some water bottles. Announcements were continuously made in three languages that some set of local trains between pune and lonavala are cancelled. Was hearing that, standing for some 10 minutes in the platform as I felt sleepy. Then went and occupied my place near the door and sat. was peeping into the screen of mobile phone of the fellow passenger who was literally lying down near the door, some random telugu film was running. After 20 odd minutes that we departed chinchwad, finally got relieved. While checking the running status of the 16339 train, it showed that it had already crossed karjat jn. Now started accelerating, thought that atleast within some 40 – 50 minutes that probably we could reach khandala. We slowly started moving out of the pune mahanagar and started seeing some dry terrains and some tall trees. These locations used to be so green during monsoon and winter seasons.
Skipped akurdi in decent speed, after which we were decelerating slowly and meanwhile, we were again looped into some station. The station board said it is dehu road. Slowly moving into the loop line, again halted here. Panicked as I realised that time available for me to explore khandala was decreasing badly. This time, our coach was outside the platform. I moved bit inside the coach since I was sitting very near the door. Some passengers who got down when this train stopped, took those places near the edge of the door. now was checking the position of trains that I am about to cross, 16339 nagercoil express was already nearing lonavala. So, anyways that I won’t be spotting this train at khandala. Somehow consoled myself that this is the only train that I would be possibly missing. Meanwhile other trains were leaving their source on time. A loud honk was made by EMD locomotive after 25 minutes, and we slowly cleared the loop.
As we cleared the loop, we were slowly gaining the speed. And one railway line without overhead pole was coming and was amalgating with the main tracks. Was wondering where this line arises from and the nearby areas suggested that it could probably come from one of the military sidings. Then as we picked up decent speed, was maintaining at 40 – 50 kmph. Again, some railway lines were amalgating and bifurcating, the terrain and some mountains were visible, enjoying the nature, skipped begdewadi. Now only slowly started to realise that morning between kanhe and kamshet, for some kilometers that my train and the train which crossed me in opposite direction was moving nearly at 10 – 15 kmph and possibly that some works may happen there.
Simultaneously, expected 16339 nagercoil express to cross us at any time. After crossing ghorewadi, slowed down agan to some 30 kmph, was moving slowly. Looped again and we slowly entered Talegaon. Was expecting to stop here for 20 more minutes as it happened in chinchwad and dehu road. But, for my surprise, even after seeing the other end of the platform, the train was kept moving and yes, it even cleared the loop. But even after clearing the loop, we did accelerate but the train was moving in the speed of 40 – 50 kmph till vadgaon outer where again it decelerated. As we departed vadgaon, we moved very slowly for a bit and we stopped for some 5 minutes. Again, the train left with a loud honk slowly, moved at around 10 – 15 kmph for roughly few hundred meters and again we halted for 10 another minutes. Could see a group of people working near the tracks. The passengers onboard enquired about the work going on there to the workers and they replied back.
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Actually, near kanhe, a manned level crossing was being replaced by the rail underpass. And that work, since was in its final stage, everyone was working hard there. Our train and the train which is about to cross us in the opposite direction was badly delayed already. We started moving few hundred meters further after which again our train halted. Now a greater number of workers could be seen near the tracks as we were near to that levelled crossing. Was hearing a low tone honk from distance, but ignored it for that moment. That honk intensified after some moment, also came near me. Then mr. Nagercoil i.e, 16339 with kalyan based WCAM – 3 locomotive crossed us in a very slow speed.
After this train had passed us, even I felt as if I was moving slowly, yes, our train started moving very slowly, maintained in the same speed and crossed that manned level crossing where the work was going on. Saw an inspection trolley lying near the track. And as our train cleared that spot slowly, we maintained that speed till kanhe station. A ray of hope burst into me as we left that spot. As our train left kanhe, we slowly accelerated to 60 kmph speed, maintained that till kamshet. Our train negotiated kamshet curve beautifully. Now, a ray of hope bursted out in me and I felt extremely happy as some how we started moving in a good speed and was nearing my dream destination i.e. khandala. Now my train accelerated madly and hit the top speed. Simultaneously could hear the loud honk of EMD locomotive and a kalyan based WDP – 4D with 17222 lokmanya tilak – Kakinada biweekly crossed us in a very good speed. Crossed malavli in no time and we arrived lonavala.
As per the passenger time table for this train 17321 hubli – lokmanya tilak express, there is no scheduled halt at lonavala but still it halted for break testing. This train did not have khandala halt too as per the time table, but strongly believed that it will halt again there for break testing. I checked the running status of 17031 mumbai csmt – Hyderabad express, it had already departed khandala. Meanwhile, I got some water bottles, packed my bag. We descended slowly towards khandala, as we slowly started descending the lonavala, could hear the majestic chugging of the kalyan based WDM – 3D class locomotive ascending to lonavala platform – 1 hauling the Mumbai csmt – Hyderabad express.
I was still four kilometers away from the khandala, but still that I have missed three trains already which I could have spotted in khandala owing to the delay of my train, also those three trains too were delayed nearly half an hour. I was thinking about it and also was planning to spend the remaining time effectively in khandala. Still I had not completed this mind calculation, khandala has arrived already and I deboarded as soon as possible from my train since it is a technical halt, my train could depart at anytime. Walked slowly to the foot over bridge, came to platform 2 and 3 and settled myself in end of the platform towards lonavala. that particular location was scenic. Meanwhile took pictures of train board of 17321 hubli – lokmanya tilak express around 16:40 hrs, and the same train left khandala slowly.
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With mixed feelings, I opened a water bottle to quench my thirst.
PART - 4 is just a click away from here - /blog/post/4646795

Travelogue on Mumbai - Pune - Mumbai trip.
PART - 2 : Stranded at Pune.
for PART - 1 : /blog/post/4631299
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Now, after coming to platform one with my heavy luggage, went to...
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PRS counter and asked about tatkal booking, assuming it to be free, but while I went and asked someone told that there was already 30 token per counter. So clueless, went to platform 1, it was 10 for 10 am, I sat near a railwire wifi modem near foot over bridge and tried to book tatkal for my return journey back home from Mumbai. Meanwhile empty rakes of 22845 pune – hatia superfast express was shunted at platform 1. Then it was 10 am. I had two options, either to book 3A tatkal in 19424 GIMB TEN humsafar from surat or to book SL in 22654 H.Nizamuddin – Thiruvananthapuram superfast from panvel. I first tried to enter tatkal and book in tatkal for 19424 from surat.
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Even I filled in the details and the fares were nominal. But since I wanted that wind in the face experience from sleeper class, dropped that option. Went till payment page and came back. Then in between came to food court in the same platform to have a nominal brunch to quench my hunger. So, bought a plate of poha, had it, also had vada pav for one another time for that day. Meanwhile recorded train announcements in the station.
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Then as it was 11 to 11, came again to the foot over bridge end, sat near the railwire wifi modem and tried to book tatkal in 22654 H.Nizamuddin – Thiruvananthpuram superfast express. Though I successfully opened it initially, within filling the booking details, the availability status of 110 reduced to only 10, was afraid since it was the only last option remaining for me to go back home. Already I had a ticket in the same train from panvel with RLWL/22, though I booked it 15 days back, the waiting list did not even move. One another thing was that no premium tatkal was there at that train. was scared then. But, thank god during the time of cash payment as signal from railwire wifi was fast, it saved me and somehow got confirmed ticket for my return journey back home.
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So, as I booked my tickets back to home successfully, I went to take ticket unreserved train ticket between pune and khandala, but as none of the trains leaving pune towards mumbai at that time was having commercial halt at khandala, though trains going downhill do stop at khandala for break testing, the clerk issued me ticket till thane. then was searching in online for the next train between pune and lonavala. saw that the next train towards lonavala was 11026 pune – bhusaval express at 11:40 hrs were the next train towards lonavala.
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So, as it was announced that it was standing at platform 5, went to the same, after getting down from the foot over bridge, saw many bhel puri vendors, got one, actually one and a half.
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Yes, as he told one bhel puri is rs. 20, I asked to add extra bhel and give it for rs.30. then went to the first unreserved coach (actually last coach that day) and boarded that train. Only five minutes was remaining for that train, and I was wondering that still no loco was attached at the end. But still I went to my seat and sat. finally, the train started to move in the opposite direction. Suddenly I realised and as It was moving slowly in the platform, I put my bag down in the platform and I deboarded quickly. Only by then, asking the RPF nearby, came to know that 11026 pune – bhusawal express was diverted via daund owing to the works that is happening between pune – lonavala.
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So, the next possible option to go lonavala side by train was this weekly contender hubli – lokmanya tilak express via bijapur, while tracking him, he was on time and he had already left daund. I sat there in platform 5 to take some rest, kept tracking the status of 17321 and it was with minimal delay till uruli, as I checked the status around 12 pm at which it is suppsed to be at pune, thought that this train could only be maximum some say 30 minutes at pune. So then saw that around 12:15 pm, one another local was to leave to lonavala.
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So, came to platform 1 and saw a local rake, but no passenger boarded that and 5 minutes after 12:15 pm, it was taken back to yard as even that was cancelled due to track works.
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Hopeless, again went to platform 5, around 12:30 pm, checked the running status of 17321 hubli – lokmanya tilak express, still it was at uruli and no further updates were there about that train. I got literally panicked. Then thought this won’t work out and came out of railway station.
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So, came outside of the railway station to the bus stand nearby and asked for buses to lonavala and khandala. I was unaware of the pune city and its actual Shivajinagar bus stand. In that bus stand, for my good time, only shivshahi and shivneri buses were available and they told that they will drop at lonavala byepass and ticket fare will be rs. 300. Opposite to that bus stand, some local bus stand was there probably from which pmpml buses could have been operated. Even enquired there but still did not get clear information. They even told ordinary buses are also not available from here.
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As I neither knew local language, nor hindi, was feeling difficult to inquire about the buses. So, again disappointed, went back to pune railway station around 12:45pm, checked the train status. Still it was at uruli. Then I introspected once that should I atleast see sightseeing at pune or as per plan should head to khandala. But as I was unaware of the places that I could possibly cover in the available six hours, so planned to head to khandala and to spot trains and enjoy the nature.
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By then it was already 1 pm then a slight relief as the train had left uruli as per both where is my train and national train enquiry system. Then again it took half an hour for the train to arrive pune and by around 1:40 pm, with 40522 numbered WDP-4D locomotive without shed marking, pulling hubli – lokmanya tilak express into pune junction platform 5, 40585 numbered WDP-4D locomotive from pune shed simultaneously pulled 07618 panvel – h.s.nanded weekly special express into platform 6, both trains does not exist to this date and both came in such a way that cab – 2 was facing front.
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Now as both simultaneously arrived, I started taking pictures. Now as soon as the engine crossed me, I rushed to the front of the platform for boarding the train.
Then, I went suddenly to a bhel puri wala, got a bhel puri again, had it fast and rushed to front of the platform and boarded the front UR next to guard cum luggage van. The first coach was filled to brim. But still was okayish near the door. So settled near the door. Kept the bag in my lap and sat near the door at the right side of the coach, that is trackside door. Managed to sit safely.
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As shed markings was not there for 40522 WDP – 4D, I searched both in IRFCA and IRI database, it showed that that loco was belonging to hubli shed. I was shocked since I was unaware that UBL holds any dual cab EMD locomotives, i.e. WDP – 4D. this was my first time spotting WDP – 4D of hubli loco shed and first time travelling by a train hauled by the same.
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Though 07618 panvel – h.s.nanded weekly special express slowly departed pune junction platform 6. Then was googling about the crossings that I am about to encounter till I reach khandala and the trains that I could probably spot at khandala, also checked about view points and tourist places nearby the railway station.
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As I sat near the door, I was sitting, sitting and sitting, but no signs of train leaving pune even after halting for 15 minutes. Then again got down, purchased some water bottles, boarded the train. Then again googling about the same, forgot myself for a while chatting in railfanning groups in whatsapp.
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No signs of train leaving pune even after 2 pm, started panicking, but still again started planning systematically and searched the running status of the train which was about to cross me and did some calculations, was gazing at the trip shed visible far away and also was thinking about how much time that I could possibly spend there and how fruitfully that I am going to use that time, then hopelessly was gazing at the sun. Could hear the cranking of the EMD locomotive but still no signs of departing from pune.
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After 20 odd minutes, I could hear the honk of the EMD locomotive, was finally happy that at least by now that the train departed, and we slowly started moving out of pune, at least a ray of hope gushed into me as we departed pune.
(To be continued.........)
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PART - 3 is just a click away from here. - /blog/post/4640339
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Posted thru Follow my Trip

Trains with EMD at Pune Jn.
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07618 / Panvel Jn - H.S.Nanded Specialfare Special, delayed by 45 mins Arrives Pune Jn Platform 6 with PA WDP 4D 40585 in lead meanwhile 17321 / Huballi - Lokmanya Tilak Terminus Express arrives Pune Jn Platform 5 with UBL WDP 4D 40522 in lead, arrives 1h45m late at 19.05.2019, Sunday..
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