Travelled between RJY-SC in 12737 on it's maiden journey after diversion via BZA Bypass line with stoppage at RYP. It was a much anticipated journey for me and I was very eager to travel on this landmark day when the first Daily Passenger Train is bypassing the historic Divisional HQ BZA. Despite heavy wait list I booked in SL for the best Railfanning experience. Luckily booking confirmed through HO Quota (Official Trip). I still can't log trips in RailCal app though.
I entered a Jam-packed RJY station witnessing Sankranti-like rush after the General Election. More than 500 CRPF personnel returning from election duty occupied the corners of the PF1 with the full battery of supplies and luggage. Hopefully they were waiting for...
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a Special Train to ferry them! Finally our beloved 12737 entered PF1 with HOG WAP7 30587 from LGD ELS with no waiting at the outer, 10 Mins after the departure of 17015. Occupancy was already very high with only 3 Locations passed with >80% seats full after RJY, RJY-EE section filled the remaining. Announcements were being made at all stations both manually & through PAS regarding diversion through RYP. Updated TT was posted in all coaches. Train was filled beyond capacity with people without reservation/WL/RAC. Our coach was filled with passengers sleeping on the floor between berths and even under them (mostly ladies). No Deen Dayalu coaches were present in the CBC rake even though the GEN coaches were filled to the brim. All coaches were Pre-2006 manufactured.
Crossed EE by 22.15 and after a few unscheduled stops in between due to signaling, we reached BZA outer at 23.10 and immediately proceeded to bypass line without any waiting. 12709 was arriving at BZA by the time. I was on call with fellow RFs all the way regarding the BZA Bypass moment!
Finally reached RYP at 23.25. It was a desolate wayside station where a few low level PF sheds were being built & coach position indicators were being fixed. This station has a long way to go to even being called a Satellite Station. TTEs changed here and there were not even Water Facility at all in PF 1. PF2 was far worse. We departed after a very brief stop at 23.32. 12709 too departed from BZA by that time. I slept off at 00.50 after crossing KMT. Woke up at 5 Hrs thinking we'll be reaching SC early, but it was not to be and we just crossed BG. 12709 was trailing us the whole way and we reached SC PF9 at 5.45 after a few momentary stoppages. It's interesting to see that only 30-50% alighted at SC and the rest proceeded to BMT, LPI. Overall it was a very eventful journey.