Trip Report
Major changes have happened over the years over the previous decades with regard Railways. One of the trains was the 85/86 SC-SBC Express in the MG era, which later became a round about, low prioritized, poorly patroned 7085/86 express to Hyderabad, later extending to Kacheguda, getting diverted to the older route on conversion of gauge, getting a byepass for GTL and later becoming a Superfast
Any chance to travel in this 12786 is a sort of nostalgia for me, reminding of the 1710 hrs dep from SBC and arriving SC...
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way past 0930 hrs generally running late. A warm summer afternoon in the mid 90's, booked the tickets with RAC a day before departure and getting it confirmed the next day despite being vacation period was the kind of patronage it had. But thanks to my dad, who patorized trains to buses, this was the regular mode for us no matter what kind of time or route it took
The 1st major difference cropped up there. A ticket for 4 of us booked 2 months in advance- A ticket for my cousin joining in last minute had to be dependent on tatkal. No current availability despite being a monday evening, only 2A having about 4 tickets under it. Things do change a lot
27.11.2017.. A nice winter evening. Boarded ola at 1705 hrs, 20 years back the departure time of the train. Waded through the Bangalore City traffic and at 1735 hrs, my uncle messaged that he had reached BNC and 12786 rake is stationed there.. No more is 12786 the dear darling of PF-2, being shunted to some of the lines at BNC/BAND and coming back before departure for ready leaving. Reached SBc at 1745 hrs and was allotted PF-3.
When 7085/86 left at 1710hrs, SBC used to be at a standstill. Except for the 2008 at 1620, the announcers used to be silent. The evening sun used to penetrate through the region signalling the significance that the day is ending. But today, all Pf's were occupied. 12627 on Pf-1, Late running 22501 NTSK-SBC on Pf-2, having entered post 17235 departure to Nagercoil, Pf-3 with heavy crowd awaiting their beloved train to KCG, Pf-4 waiting for 22608 ERS weekly, Pf-5 with tthe commuters trains Chamundi Express to Mysore, Pf-6 taking a small breather, Pf-7 with tthe 76553 Dharmapuri DMU, PF-8 with 17325 Vishwamanava running late and trying to take precedence over Chamundi with slot and crowd, Pf-9 with the Kolar bound DMU now coming from Channapatna and Pf-10 with the MEMU to Hindupur.
Announcements were continous informing all the passengers, long travellers, daily travellers regarding all the trains that have possibly squeexed into the respective Pf's. At 1805 hrs, KJM WDP-4D 40298 entered with the 12786 rake.. It was quite a surprise that despite being a patronized prime rake, majority of the coaches belonged to the earlier millenium. The average of Sleeper coaches seemed to be of 1998 with one coach of 2004 suddenly popping up in middle of nowhere. Another KJM WDP4 brought in the 22608 rake on Pf-4. KJM WDP-4D reversed and went back to attach to the main end. The alocs were replaced for the day with the EMD. Not too impressive.
The announcers themselves seemed to be a bit confused now, announcing that 16216 Chamundi as well as 17325 were ready to depart. Couldnt make out who left 1st, but may be Vishwamanava citing early arrival might have left the station 1st. At 1830 hrs , we got the starter to proceed. 10 mins late
Contrary to the slack filled schedule of 1990's, this train is now squeezed into a very tight schedule. An average of 55kmph is not a major achievement, but this is on a track of single line, with crossings enroute, having a few slow moving terrains, various SR's enroute and negotiating freight traffic on the way. The slowest slack is fixed at DMM-ATP section at 46kmph but the speed for the last section is given at 52kmph. The train is highly in hands of section controllers with need to rush through. And we have already got a 10 min delay in departure.
Crossing the SBC home, we move towards BNC, where the 56261 pass came in behind carrying the IT crowd with it. A short halt at BNC, we are given the starter and my uncle joins us in the bay, making it us a 5 of family. Of course, my railfan instincts refuses to leave the window though its on non track side.
The 76652 DMU from Kolar makes its entry next at BNCE, as we try to go close to MPS. the 56513 pass from KIK is our next crossing, having a slight lazy movement. BYPL is skipped through and slowed, to make a turn. From East, its our turn now to move towards the North
An unknown train crosses us at Channasandra not able to make out who. A slow run again giving respects to the SR in the region. We then pick up speed , the Hebbal Twin towers visible at a distance and make our entry past the traffic bustling Airport Road, filled with both Hyderabad bound as well as Airport bound vehicles. The line from YPr joins us, signalling the entry to YNK. We are sent on the corner PF-5..As we clear the loop, could see the familiar blinking.. The red light from LV of a train entering YNK Pf-1 almost parallely but a bit ahead of us. Who could it be.. My watch ticks to 1920.. We have lost 20 mins into our schedule by now
As we move to a halt, i try to make out the board of the other train who is scronfully staring at us. A minute l;ater, the board gets deciphered. 16571 YPR-BIDR Express leaving YPR at 1900 has reached YNK and now waiting for 12786 to take precedence. Within a 2 min halt, we move only to be stopped again for a minuite for some last minute boarding. We move out soon
We move past the Bangalore suburbs at descent speed, and stop at the last station, which is now a part of Bangalore if the City bus services are considered. A quick 15 min run brings us to DBU but someone waiting for us there.. 56504, BZA-BNC Passenger, running 4 hrs late,waits at DBU with its tired passengers.
A quick stop halt, we proceed. Me and my cousin are directed to go to SUB to have dinner comfortably. As we climb up, the train to has a small ghat to tackle, the Makali ghats.. The familiar boeing sound is heard.. 11013 CBE-LTT waits for us, we our honking pierces the darkness of the ghats. A good chapatti sabji meal later, packed from house, we descend now,as we cross Gauribidanur
The worst I always dread in the early evening departures, ready to happen again.. latying of MB.. We give off one othe LB and sit on the other, but the senior citizens want the window closed. Completely disgusted, I head of to the door, telling my relatives that till DMM arrival I will not be sleeping.
At 2050 hrs, we reach Hindupur, where a WAG7 hauled BCNA rake welcomes us. The MEMU is stationed on PF-1 having a sound sleep and we are put into 3. Hoardes of commuters deboard from our train. Surprising , despite the fact that we have followed the MEMU totally, we still had to discharge a load of 100 UR passengers from us, carrying at a much costlier fare
The Loco pilots were making the treat of the tracks as the rattling started. One of the windows stayed in its position sans a latch and I didnt want to risk putting my head on the bars there. The coach interiors too were rattling with certain missing nuts. Of course, cleanliness of the coach to be appreciated. The tempatation to check the GPS meter didnt wait and oh it did reach mid 90's, ticking close to 100's owing to vibrations, before reducing back to 95-96 again
We slowed down before Chakralapalli, before picking speed again to cross over the Hindupur pass from Guntakal behind a Alco. A good run later, brought us to Penukonda, with again a BCNA freight waiting for us to enter, before it proceeded as we came to a halt. Time was now 2130, the delay extended to 30 mins now
A good rush through tracks sees us through to reach DMM at 2215 and time for parents to call it end of the day. Samosa, bajji, idly being sold like hot cakes, as we halt on Pf-1. Dad reminded his share now, as how the earlier 7086 used to reach DMM by 2115 giving a good dinner halt there and at times when delayed used to be wished by the 2627 Karnataka creeping in from behind before the 7085 departure. The slack schedule that 7086 had used to even give an opportunity for overtake by Karnataka. However things have changed for bit now with increasing traffic and detour of Karnataka.
We leave Dharmavaram, and decide to retire for the day. Berths laid and go off to sleep and before long into long snores. A very deep sleep until a chatter of noise woke me up again. Thought train had crossed Falaknuma, oh no wait- Watch is still showing 2315.. has it stopped.. Checked my mobile.. 2315 there too.. Train has halted at ATP, and there is a group boarding there with about 5-6 kids. That was the reason for the flutter in coaches. Time to be back to sleep
Sleep was quite long but could sense our train not easing to slow down and making a average 80-90 on tracks. But the speed wasnt sufficient, as when I woke up next, the morning sun was trying to make way through. Watch showed 0605 but still no berths laid down. Train was slowing down so got down to explore. My dad noticed me and said "Falaknuma" .. Oh great thought to myself and opened the door
We were brought to a halt at Falaknuma.. The palace was hidden by the morning mist and the station made a pleasant sight. "Paaam"" Hey wait signal is red still.. A Lingampalli bound MMTS departed ahead making our wait longer.. After 15 mins we were given clearance as clock ticked to 0625.. So delay still accumulating. We move on slowly, crossing 2 other MMTS and a Umdanagar bound DMU, finally making an entry into PF-1 of KCG, as the rake of 17604 YPR-KCG is being taken into the pitline at 06:44AM delayed by 64 minutes.. 64 mins I remarked, for which Dad replied " 7086 with high slack itself used to be delayed by 60 mins on average.. You are talking about this being delayed. We move out of the station
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