A Trip by the AC Express to CBE!
Entered YPR at around 1340 hrs, and PFs 1,2 and 6 were occupied by YPR-KCG, Kondaveedu Exp and 12629 KSK. KSK left at around 1415 hrs and Kondaveedu Exp left sharp at 1430. Also, TK passenger came and left from PF#3 close to time.
At around 1435 hrs, our train was allotted PF#2, and rake was shunted in by a KJM WDM-3D 5 min later. Meanwhile, the DEMU to HSRA occupied PF#3 now while Chikmagalur pass was allotted PF6. At 1520, we showed no...
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signs of dep. And at 1530, KCG exp started from PF1, which meant we were delayed. We finally started at 1540 hrs (with a nice heavy jerk) and made our way. We halted at BAND for HWH duronto crossing, while a Goods train was stationed at another PF, headed by twin UBL WDG4. After duronto crossed, we made our way to KJM to halt at 1637 hrs. We left a couple of mins later.
After KJM, we started blasting, crossing a MEMU on the way. Since we were late and Shtb was running on time, expected it to OT us at BWT. But, at Tyakal, we were looped and after 5 min, Shtb OT us at 110 kmph, headed by a WAP7 (We were headed by a WAP4 btw).
Left soon and stopped exactly for 40 seconds at BWT, before leaving and continuing to blast to make up lost time. At KPN, we crossed 12609 and we moved on.
By Mulanur, I felt we had made up 5 min of time, and after Somanayakanpatti, it was dark outside and nothing much could be seen. We just slowed down near by-pass, didnt stop as TPTY exp and 12679 were already ahead and 12695 was chasing us. We got ahead of it and after crossing Tirupattur, we picked up speed and started to blast. Crossed 12244 Shtb at around 7 PM, which meant, if given priority, we could still make it in time. At morappur, we crossed a terribly late running Kovai Exp and continued our progress. We slowed down only near Magnesite Jn and entered Salem at 2013 hrs and left after a 2 min halt.
After SA, TPTY IC started trollingn us. We slowed down 2 or 3 times and even stopped at Cauvery Station to maintain the gap with TPTY exp. Finally entered ED at 2115 hrs onto PF2. Hoped to leave soon, but didn't move even after 5 min. Meanwhile, Chalukya from TEN entered PF3 with UBL WDP4 and announcements went for 12695 to arrive on PF 1. At 2130 hrs we finally departed, having had a 15 min halt and simultaneously trolling 12695 too. After ED, the run was not that fast. Max speed might have been 90 that's all. Rchd TUP at 2215 hrs, where we met 12778 to UBL and left after a 2 min halt. Moved on, and after a halt at CBF for 2 min, rchd CBE at 2305 hrs on PF#1, delayed by 30 min with run time 7:25 , not really bad but if handled well, this train could do 7 hrs ypr-cbe and cbe-kcvl another 7-7:30 hrs.
I felt, arrival time of tpty exp must be changed to 2225 hrs at CBE, else this train gets trolled. Also, seems like 12008 overtakes this on most occasions. And this train doesn't need B10 and B11 for sure. This surely could be upgraded to SF category. And the current set of halts are enough, no more stops should be added.