My first Railfanning session.



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I went for an RFing session in Chottanikkara Road (Old name: Kurikad, KFE) yesterday. I went to meet my friend and his father. My friend’s father is a Senior L.P, M/E, ERS and had invited me to his house.



Reached ERS around 0655 hrs and took a counter ticket on PF 6. The cost was Rs.10. My train, the 06453 passenger from Ernakulam to Kottayam, was announced on PF 4 and was scheduled to depart at 07:45 A.M. It has RSA with 16175/6 TBM KIK and 16187/8 KIK ERS. To my surprise, I saw SBC ICE on PF 5 for the first time. Normally it’s handled on PF 2.



Observations:



PF 1 had TATA Exp, couldn’t check the loco. There were UBLD WAG 9HC twins on the stabling lines between PFs 1 and 2. This was the first time I’m seeing a UBLD E Loco. They were BLW made and the road numbers were #43358 and #43370. Consequently, 16606 MAQ bound Ernad and 16332 TVC CST were announced on them, couldn’t see both.



On PF 2, the default PF of 12678, 06017 SRR ERS MEMU was announced.



PF 3 was to be occupied by 12618 NZM ERS Mangala Lakshadweep which was hauled by TKDE WAP 7 #30356.



PF 4 had my train. I expected the loco to be a P7 or a P4, but it was a P5!!!

GZBE WAP 5 #30039 (non HOG I guess) was the lead. I was taken aback and was very happy. Thanked God in my mind so badly because I wanted to capture a non-HOG P5 (atleast an OG P5 even if its HOG enabled one). It had P5 stenciled



PF 5 had SBC ICE with the loco was AJJE WAP 4 #22888. This loco brought our train from TPJ.



PF 6 was empty.







Derated ERS WDG 3A #14642 (the loco on the DP of Railfans of Kerala Insta page) was shunting a few coaches. Almost all the lines of ERS were full.



My coach was #074028 GSCN (S13). Looks like ICF made. Couldn’t find the builder’s plate. The main TB of the train was in Tamil and as I could read some Tamil, it read



“Iranaakulam Viraivu Vandi

Karaikal Iranaakulam Kottayam [16187/8 and 56385/56390]



Yes, the board had the pre-Covid number.



Also captured the ERS SBC ICE’s board. It looks new.



The train started sharp at 0745hrs and we went aside the ERSX. I felt sad as a lot of Alcos were awaiting the torch of the scrappers. Went towards ERSD and ERMCD. This was the first time I saw ERMCD from train.



ERMCD has 3 pitlines. The mid pitline had the TATA Exp undergoing SM. Millenium Exp and Mangala Exp were on the stabling lines. A mixture of coaches were also parked. An OG MEMU (06444 QLN ERS) was waiting at ERMCD for us to pass. The lead MC was #13025. It was followed by TCs #13344, #13343, #13255A, MC #13032, TC #13348, #13347, #13346, #13345, #13254A, #13290A and MC #13026. It was a 12C rake.



It was very foggy. This is the first time seeing Kochi City and the surrounding areas to be so foggy after the Brahmapuram fire. Reached TRTR at 0802 hrs, on time on PF 2. People were waiting on PF 1 for Palaruvi. Crossed VB after TRTR and missed capturing it. The next stop was my destination KFE. Reached KFE at 08:12 hrs, perfectly on time. 06453 left after a minute’s stop and went towards KTYM.



KFE is a halt station with its one PF having nearly 300m length and other one nearly 250m long. I calculated the length because of the KM markers. The PF 1 starts around 13.6kms and ends after 13.9kms, hence around 300m. Other one was much shorter. There were a few morning walkers in the station. I waited there to capture 16791 TN PGT Palaruvi. It was hauled by EDDX “Grandfather” WAP 1 #22021.



The next capture was 16328 GUV MDU hauled by EDLS WAP 4 #23391.



Then I went to my friend’s house and met his father. He, as I mentioned, is an LP and he was astonished to see me as an RF. He asked me how I came and when I said by train, the next question was, “Railfan aanele?” (You’re an RF, right?). I said yes and we all started laughing. He asked me about my travels and another rail experiences and I asked about his. Then he asked me if I came to spot trains here and I said yes. He told me a few good spots to spot trains. Then we both (my friend and yours truly) went for a joint RFing session after breakfast. While having breakfast, 16309 ERS KYJ MEMU Exp crossed followed by 16302 TVC SRR Venad.







The first train to be captured was the recently LHBfied CAN TVC JS. Actually, the ACCCs were old, [2017, 2019 and 2021 made]. But now all the coaches are 2024 made. I felt angry, sad, astonished etc etc at that point of time (I hope the reason is known).



The next train was MAQ bound 16650 Parasuram hauled by EDDX WAP 4 #22882. It was wrapped in Ads.



Followed by ERSX WDM 3A #14075 hauling a BCNA rake. Happy to see these in work.



Next was SC bound Sabari hauled by BZAE WAP 7 #37677. The coaches were in a pathetic condition. Waiting for the LHBfication.



QLN ERS MEMU was next (06768). MCs were #198636 and #198635. TCs were #198650, #198649, #198648, #198647, #198646 and #198645. It had AVD shed markings.



TVC bound Sabari crossed while having lunch, couldn’t capture it.







Then was the train I actually waited for, 16361 ERS VLNK, the only train to run with ERSX link.



The train was around 10mins late and was hauled by ERSX WDG 3A #14665. (150th EDDX loco and 3 Dimensional numbering on side profile of Locomotive).



The second last capture was 17422 QLN TPTY Exp hauled by LGDE WAP 7 #30299. It has RSA with TPTY MTM Exp.



After saying good bye and thanks to my friend and his father, reached KFE at 1350hrs to catch the 1410hrs train to ERS. The train reached KFE at 1408hrs, 2 mins BT and entered the MC #198633. Didn’t check other coaches.



Reached ERS PF 3 at 1430hrs, 0.5hrs BT (Sch. Arr 1500hrs). PF 2 had PGT bound MEMU, PFs1, 4 and 5 were empty. PF 6 had a VTAD G7 and a 12C MEMU stabled (Not MUed).



Captured the shunting of a “SPECIAL RAKE” (as per boards) and went home.







Sorry for this long post, but I’m super excited to share it.

Pics:

1. ERS in the morning
2. 16175/6, 16187/8 and KTYM Pass board
3. SBC ICE board
4. GZBE WAP 5 #30039
5. KFE SB
6. Old SB of KFE
7. CAN TVC JS
8. MAQ bound Parasuram
9. ERSX WDM 3A #14075 with BCNA.
10. QLN ERS MEMU
11. ERSX WDG 3A #14665 hauling 16361 ERS VLNK Express
12. ERS PGT MEMU
13. VTAD WAG 7 #28648 at ERS.
14. ERSX WDM 3A 14075 shunting a rake.