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A day with Kargil Heroes

Protectors of my Motherland. For the sake of our happiness, these gentlemen have decided to throw away their life's desires, comforts. It was my life's greatest honour when these gentlemen agreed to pose for a snap with me.

Thanks to my good friend Ram Karthik Seshadri, I was able to achieve one of my dreams. This wasn't the first time he was doing something great to me. The sun was ready to set. At that time, I noticed a group of Indian Army Soldiers near Tanks and Infantry guns. I went nostalgic. I remembered the Republic day parades. Brave soldiers marching! Sadly, many marched to death. Young widows accept medals from the President and Prime Minister for their husbands sacrifice. Women becoming widows at an early age of 18-19. My nation has never waged a war against anyone! What sin has my Motherland done that God punishes my nation so harsh despite my country being the most humane? And if by any chance my favourite God Perumal is reading this blog, I hope that He grants salvation and accepts them at Vaikuntam, His Heavenly Abode.

IFG of Indian Army Artillery Division, similar to the one deployed by the Soviet Union during World War 2.

I was talking to Sepoy Kalaivanan(seen right) as he painfully recollected the events of Kargil War. He is from Bodinayakkanur, near Madurai. I was observing his eyes closely. A few drop of tears. He served in the border for 3 years. The ill-fated Kargil War took place very soon after he was posted there. He said that the Indian Army needed to deal with professionally trained infiltrators who had been equipped with mines, anti-aircraft guns, grenades.

He said that he had just finished twelth and was waiting for results. He got the calling order from the Indian Army. After joining, he was immediately trained in all disciplines and was trained even in Hindi for 3 months. He even commented that everyday at the border was like "A diwali". He even commented that even as the nation celebrated Diwali at home, he fired the howitzer gun to prevent an infiltration on the same day.

Characteristics of 105mm/37mm IFG(Infantry Fighting Gun). This gun was deployed during Kargil war.

Havildar Boomi Balan said that protecting the NH-1A was tough during Kargil War. The infiltrators had captured suitable vantage points and NH-1A was clearly visible. It was the route connecting Leh and Srinagar. Under many circumstances, traveling during the day was impossible as you would be a clear target for the infiltrators. Even at nights, you are a clear target as your headlights will indicate your location. Many Indian Army trucks often drove at high speeds without headlights to escape possible attacks. I was amazed as the "Havildar" narrated many events and odds faced by the Indian Army.

The sun has set over the "Red" Flag. Lost but not forgotten! Guess what I am referring to actually.

I also had my own share of fun with Ram Karthik. I was on top of the tank and I was able to play with the gun. Though the ammunitions weren't there. It was still fun. I was slightly afraid that I was too nosy so personally I avoided much of "touchings". As I went crazy, Ram Karthik captured everything in his camera.

It's myself on top of the tank. Atlast got permission! Earlier, the officer didn't allow me. 2008 has been great when it comes to my hobbies. I was under engines, on top of engines and now on top of tanks. If God closes one door, he does opens the other door.

I was amazed at the engineering marvels. Amazing designs and amazing brains. Though destructive in nature, yet we need to appreciate it. We can still use it to defend ourselves from infiltrators. All the events brought back memories of childhood where my father purchased a battery operated tank for me. He also taught me how these machines work. Later, he taught me about the engines, which later became one of my major interests and a hobby.

A close picture of the wheels.

This is how a tank moves on land. Due to such gears and belts, it is able to move even in tough terrains.

The General with his most trusted machine. Brings back fond memories of school life. Dear friends, remember me playing Red Alert during my ninth standard?

It's me checking the gun.

The same tank but on a trolley now. Soviet designed T-72, manufactured in 1972 at Kharkiv, USSR(now Ukraine). Later, the Indians changed it and made greater modifications. Ajeya is the tank's name.

Commander, let's invade! No stopping anywhere.

After shooting photos we bid good bye to our dearest comrades and myself and Ram Karthik went to the nearby lake. We took some interesting photos . It was much more like a forest. Then we talked of other topics and the day ended.

Sri Kalahasti-Part 4

We are just moving out of a station.

The stations in Rengunta-Gudur section are Renigunta, Yerpedu, Rachagunnari, Sri Kalahasti, Akkurti, Yellakaru, Yataluru, Venkatagiri, Nidigallu, Vendodu, Kondagunta, Gudur. We boarded 439SC TPTY-GNT passenger at Sri Kalahasti. The next station was Akkurti. I could observe that the stations weren't crowded, but the train had a lot of people from Tiruapati. Many were boarding it in Tirupati, Renigunta itself. A huge crowd at KHT but not many later on. We got the door in the right side and we got ready to take snaps.





The stations in this route were amazingly clean.

Nishant was to observe the signal on the line towards RU. If it was yellow or double yellow, RK was to get ready and shoot videos/photos. I was standing at the door behind them and did some good railfanning(rail jollu or rail sighting or rail drooling). Amazing. The sun went down slowly and the entire place looked like heaven. I observed a green and I shouted to RK that an incoming train was on the way. Very soon a WAP-4 hauled train was coming at an high speed

We just got down at a station called Kondagunta to relax. The train waited here for a few minutes extra.


Then somewhere before Yetaluru, our train stopped. Our train stood before the platform itself. I couldn't understand. The signals were saying ''all-clear''. The ALP got down. Were we in for something? RK told that he would get down. But I insisted that he shouldn't do it. We simply stood there for 10 minutes. Level crossings were closed. Well, it doesn't matter either, there wasn't any car or bus. A few people got down and proceeded towards their town. I wondered where the town really was located. As far as I could see, I saw only empty stretches of land.

The train was on time till Gudur outer. For some dumb reason we were put on outer for half an hour. However, I enjoyed it. You know that I like passenger travels than express travels? We just got down. I got a message from Ashwin saying that if I could make it to Gudur by 17:45 I could see the Rajdhani with a WAP-5 or WAP-7. I could hear some honks now, Nishant said that it was the Rajdhani. Then after that , a passenger came towards RU and crossed us. RK took a video of that. By now myself and RK were talking "freely". RK offered to take a snap of me as if sitting on the tracks. Nishant was shy but still posed. I just checked the signals. It was RED in both directions.

We didn't know when the train will start. RK said that he will sit down in the tracks and asked me to take a snap. The signal was still at RED in both directions, I was still in caution. I told RK that it may not come well since it was already dark. I was urging him not to move further away from the tracks, since any time the train will start. That too a WAP-4 for a 11 coach load, the pickup might be like an EMU. It was hard to convince RK.

Ponnnnng!!!!!!!

WAP-4 honks and starts moving. The whole crowd lying in the track was terrified and moved towards the door. Ponnnnng!!!!!!!

We all boarded it well in advance. There was an hilarious laugh inside the coach.

Courtesy: Ram Karthik Seshadri. Nishant and myself were relaxing on the tracks. For unknown reason we were waiting at the outer. It was also dark.

As we pulled into Gudur Jn, we got the announcement that Sangamitra Express was coming. I was surprised to see the power. It was an Itarsi WAP-4#22757. Generally, this train gets a WAG-7(as far as I have seen). We had Gudur dosai and chutney. It was spicy. I felt as if a current was going through my body after having it. A voltage was being generated in it. I felt that power. For all males passing through Gudur, try out Gudur dosai at least once!! You will feel the power!!

Video taken by Ram Karthik Seshadri. WAG-5 hauls a passenger towards Renigunta from Gudur.

AJJ WAM-4#21228 came with 2078 BZA-MS Jan Shatabdi. One way or another, I am not happy with these AC coaches. Will you believe if I say that I haven't travelled in A/C so far? Not even Shatabdi, Rajdhani, 3AC, 2AC, 1AC? The reason is that I cannot see my nation properly in A/C. I want to be recognised as an normal Indian citizen than a wealthy person. Morever, I want to look out of the window seat!

Very soon the train was notching up! Exciting. Amazing. It was drizzling slightly. The weather was cool. Somewhere, high in the skies pre-diwali celebrations were on! I think it was "seven shots" crackers. Nice colourful display as the train blasted through the night. We were hitting tremendous speeds. Signals appeared more clear than during the day. WAG-9's blasted through with freight. WAP-4#22695 was seen with a small rake in a loop. A couple of WAG-5's passed with freight. An express hauled by WAM-4. Somewhere near Sullurpeta I saw Hyderabad Express. By the time the train crossed Odur, I believed it was doing MPS. Not sure though. We blasted through Pedapriya. Near Nayudupeta, the train was slightly slow, but still fast. There was some station in the name of "Chatram". The train was so fast that I could read only little. Surprisingly, at Polliredipalem we had a halt of 15 minutes in the main line itself. I saw that there was some other passenger in loop. The signal towards Bezawada turned to yellow. In the distance, I could see headlights. A WAM-4 hauled express crossed me at a good speed. Circar Express? I couldn't understand why my train was made to stop. That too in a double line section. I am sure no train was travelling even before me.

Our train did great speeds। RK and Nishant were in their seats while I doorplated all the way. For this trip I never sat in the seat! Generally, I am known for sitting than doorplating. I could see an Indian Army soldier also standing along the door. His cap bore the majestic Ashoka Emblem with the words "Satyamev Jayate".

We crossed all the sub urban stations and crossed Basin Bridge. I could see various types of WAP-4's and WAM-4's at BBQ. A WAM-4 proudly had the wordings,"Bharathiya Rail" in Hindi. We reached Chennai Central bang on time! 21.05hrs! The trip has ended.

-Krishna Kumar.S

Sri Kalahasti-Part 3

After seeing the Padala Pillaiyar, we to see the main deity. RK was not at all interested in buying special tickets. He felt that it shouldn't be the way to see the God. Same with Nishant. However, I was different here. Don't know why. I stressed that special tickets should be bought and the queue should be bypassed! We had a good darshan of the deity.

Pic taken while climbing the hill.

I was excited to climb the hill. We were cracking jokes and climbing it. It was not like Tirupati or Sholinghur. Climbing was easy. The weather was hot. We were without chappals. Unbearable heat! We climbed up and had a view at the city.

Swarnamukhi river has no water. Pic taken from top of the hill.

Some Saivite traditions believe that Kannappa was the reincarnation of the Arjuna. Arjuna worshipped Siva for seeking the Pasupatha Astra (a divine weapon) and failed to recognize Shiva when He appeared before Arjuna in the form of a hunter. Thus, due to this reason, Arjuna had to be born as Thinnan/ Kannappa, the hunter and adore the Lord before attaining final liberation. This belief is not adopted by all Hindus though.

View of Kalahasti town from the top. Pic taken from my camera mobile.


About Kalahasti:

Kannappa Nayanar was born in a tribal family in and around the temple town of Kalahasti. He was a hunter and a staunch devotee of the Vayu linga of SriKalahasti which he found in the forest while hunting. Being an illiterate he did not know how to properly worship Lord Shiva. It is said that he poured water from his mouth on the Shiva lingam which he brought from the nearby river Swarnamukhi. He also offered the Lord whatever animal he hunted. But the Lord accepted his offerings since he was pure at heart and his devotion was true. Amazing! There lived such a great man. Proud to be a part of India. In one way, his way of approach can be used professionally. One need not approach a psychiatrist for anything. All are present in Indian culture itself. Every story illustrates a moral.






Another shot of the town.

One day, Lord Shiva tested the unshakable devotion of Kannapar. With his divine power, He created a tremor and the roof-tops of the temple began to fall. All the sages ran away from the scene except for Thinnan who covered the linga with his body to prevent it from any damage. Hence he was named thereafter as Dheeran.

In another incident (thiru vilayadal of Lord Shiva), one day Kannapar noticed that one of the eyes of the Shiva linga was oozing blood and tears. Sensing that the Lord's eye had been injured, Kannapar proceeded to pluck his one eye out with one of his arrows and placed it in the spot of the bleeding eye of the Shiva linga. This stopped the bleeding in that eye of the linga.

The Almighty testing Kannapar.

But to complicate matters further, he noticed that the other eye of the linga has also started oozing blood. So Thinnan thought that if he were to pluck his other eye too, he would become blind to exactly know the spot where he has to place his own second eye over the bleeding second eye of the lingam. So he placed his great toe on the linga to mark the spot of the bleeding second eye and proceeded to pluck out his other and only eye.

Moved by his extreme devotion, Shiva appeared before Thinnan and restored both his eyes.

"Nillu Kannappa" ("Stop Kannappan!")

He made Thinnan as one of the Nayanmars and henceforth he would be called as Kannappan or Kannappa Nayanar.

Pic taken inside Kalahasti station.


We weren't sure where to have lunch. There was a Thanjavur Iyer mess there. But no one seems to be interested in that. A nearby shop keeper suggested a Saravan bhavan. We went there and ordered two plate meals(limited) and one unlimited for RK. Generally, I don't take rice much. But love tiffin-chat type items. Andhra meals was excellent. Fantastic! I couldn't resist taking more. However, even one plate of rice was too much. I ate only half of it. Maybe it's because I had too much of water?









My face lost it's complexion due to dust. Ram Karthik made an amusing comment. Read that in the trip report.




Kalahasti was situated on the banks of river Swarnamukhi which is a tributary to river Pennar. There were three lofthy gopurams which resembled one of the finest Indian architecture. The temple town of Tirupati is only 35km away. RK later told me that Sri Kala Hasti is actually derived from the name of the animals which prayed at this location. Sri(Spider), Kala(Snake), Hasti(elephant). The sleek and stylish infrastructure of Tirupati is spread till Srikalahasti and they are more oftenly regarded as Twin Cities. Pilgrims visitng Tirupati also visit Kalahasti temple , rendering it many footsteps each day , making it the second famous temple in the state. The town depends on agriculture and tourism. Most people were able to understand Tamil and English.






Ram Karthik was in full form that day.



RK took a lot of snaps of the Gopuram. He took in different angles. Later we boarded an auto to the station. It was only Rs.20 this time. I thought that by seeing RK and Nishant's personality they would ask even more! We got at Kala Hasti. Out of nowhere, I got a call from one of my friends. Praveen! Amazing school chap. I was amazed at the technology. I shouldn't be talking like this as I am an engineer. But forget all your degrees, achievements and just spend a moment appreciating the marvel of humans. I should be atleast 160km away from him but I was still felt that I was near him. Well nowadays, people have even communicated from the moon! However, I didn't want to get obsessed with anything. Infact, I hate anyone if someone says that I am obsessed with machines, idealogies or various habits. Nothing can be enjoyed if you are obsessed because you are only doing it under compulsion!


Courtesy: Ram Karthik Seshadri. A lonely dog sitting below the goods train.



Myself and Ram Karthik tried taking a lot of snaps. There was a honk. I knew a train was coming. But the level crossings weren't closed! WAG-5's twins came in a curve and blasted through the station. The LP's gave a curious look at us. Check the video below! It was taken by the great RK himself.

My face was very dark. Ok! Ok! The reason could be dust and lot of other nonsense which came flying past me as I doorplated. I asked Ram Karthik that my complexion was gone. RK was amused and he replied, "ஆமாம், நீ பெரிய கமல் ஹாசன் கலர்".




Suddenly out of nowhere there was an honk. Bhilai WAG-5 twins cruised at a good speed with a freight train.


Photo of Lingam to which Kannappar gave his eyes.

Bhilai WAG-5 twins with a freight rake passing through Kalahasti.

Sri Kalahasti-Part 2

TPTY-MAS Sapthagiri Express pulls into Renigunta from Tirupati.


Nishant and Ramkarthik at Renigunta Junction.


Kanya Kumari-Jammu Himsagar Express pulls into Renigunta.

Look who is shunting. WAP-4!

WAP-4#22318 was shunting. I wonder how they can use Passenger dedicated superfast locomotives to do shunting?

Surprisingly, Himsagar was attended more quickly unlike Dadar Superfast. WAP-4#22318 attached a tanker to the rake.

Unsung hero of the Indian Railways. There are lot of people similar to the man in the picture who toil all night for the safety of lakhs of passengers travelling in Indian Railways.

Parcels were loaded and sealed. It was written RU-BZA.


WDM-3D#11115 was spotted at Renigunta. I took this pic taking some risk.

I was surprised to find a WDM-there. The joke was that the 3D stopped for fire. Maybe it's because its diesel tank is below and it would catch fire? The service staffs were busy burning the wastes near the tracks. Later, some officer came and blasted at them. Very soon the fire was extinguished. But the joke was that even such a big engine was afraid to cross fire.

Wastes were being burnt on the tracks. The senior officer came and blasted heavily at the service staffs. The WDM-3D stood for a long time and it moved towards me with the "Red Markers" switched ON. I took this pic as if pretending to adjust my shoes.










BZA WAM-4#21356 was to haul TPTY-PURI Express.


Himsagar Express came with WAP-4#22218. A mik tanker was later attached. WAP-4#22358 was shunting it. I was shocked. But atleast it had a job, unlike me. I was really jealous of WAP-4. Phew! I asked Ram Karthik, "Where's Puri da?". Ram Karthik cracked mokka jokes,"Inside your stomach". He cracked such jokes throughout the trip. BZA WAM-4#21356 was the power for our TPTY-PURI express. By seeing the coach condition, we wondered whether the rake would go to Puri in good shape. The door space was slightly less. The coach was dirty. I could see many garments tied to the windows.


This BZA WAM-4#21356 was a good performer in Nishant's opinion. Better than the WAP-1#22005. Maybe the reason is that the Puri Express is some 15 coaches long. WAM-4 simply made a meal of it. Are SCR drivers aggressive? I saw some brutal acceleration and aggressive braking. I can even get a smell due to brake shoes exerting force on wheel. We found a WAG-9 at the outer. We were doing great speeds soon. I could see SCR boards even beyond railway lines. Is that indicate that the railway territory is extended? Maybe SCR is interested in tripling? There was too much of dust. Already my face was having all sort of materials during the earlier train ride, now it was even worse. The weather was very hot. The wind was strong and hot. Dust everywhere as WAM-4 ripped through the telugu desam. Suddenly, I felt something hot on my neck. I immediately looked up to check if there was any crow. Later only I found out that a person has poured sambar over me and also on my bag. Ram Karthik's jeans pant was in the same state. But Nishant escaped! That person started talking with RK in Oriya. It was loads of fun to watch RK listening to him and simply shaking his heads. We didn't know whether he was apologizing or threatening us. Funny.









Kannapar donating his eyes to the God.


We got down at Kalahasti and boarded an auto. It cost Rs.30 to the temple from the railway station. We proceeded into the temple directly. But later we were requested to keep our bags outside. We kept it in a cloak room for Rs.20. We stood in queue to watch Padala Pillaiyar. Pillaiyar was lying atleast 50 feet below. I am not sure of the depth but at least two floors down. Ram Karthik daringly took a snap of the Pillaiyar. However, someone's head destroyed everything. But Ram Karthik cropped the image later on. It was adventurous! We crept down a passage and climbed down stairs. Interesting right? Only 10 persons were allowed at a time.







Lord Vishnu giving away His sister Parvati to Lord Shiva as Lord Brahma performs the rituals. Sadly, I have no sister.



I didn't take snaps of garbha grahams as I feel it shouldn't be done. But I like drawings. Especially the ones with story lines. I got critical of God slightly. The reason is a poignant tale. Generally in a temple you can find Lord Shiva, Mother Parvati together or in separate sannidhi's(rooms). You can find Vinayagar and even Murugan. A special sannidhi to Perumal too who is like a brother in law to Shiva. Gods are always found to be together? But I cannot understand onething. Why should a man quit his family including his mother, father and wife and come as a brahmachari and live alone as a celibate? Maybe time will answer the question.

Video taken by Ram Karthik Seshadri.

-Continued in Part III.

Sri Kalahasti-Part I

October 11th, 2008, Saturday.
Time: 03:59hrs.

The alarm rang! I woke up instantly. Around 04:50hrs I boarded a bus to Saidapet. From there I boarded a Chennai bound EMU to Mambalam and I got down at Mambalam. I was to meet Ram Karthik at Mambalam Railway station. Together with Ramkarthik and Nishant a.k.a Shivaramakrishnan I visited Kalahasti. Ramkarthik(RK) was my friend who is doing Ph.D in IIT and Nishant is one of my friends who visists temples often! I arrived on time at Mambalam and as usual Ramkarthik was not present in the station. I knew the guy would take his own sweet time. I was suprised to see Pandian Express at MBM. I felt it was a bit early. It came with a WDP-4#20046. I had vada and sambar at Mambalam station. Having Vada/Sambar in a railway station at 5AM in the morning is something divine and you really need to experience it. I can't explain that in words. I couldn't believe that I was doing a railfanning trip with RK. The reason is of late we have planned a lot but not even one trip was done. Either I would be at work or RK would be busy with his IIT Ph.D. I got an SMS from RK saying that he was directly from IIT. Gosh! He has stayed awake the whole night and didn't sleep for a day and he was coming for a hectic train trip!


The train starts. Ram Karthik and Nishanth take their places near the door while I stand behind them.

We reached Egmore on time and we found AJJ WAP-1#22005 "Jawahar". The engine was looking brave and majestic as our Rajnikanth. Old, but still going on. Ram Karthik has got fond memories with this engine. Nishant was bang on time and he arrived at 06:15hrs. I suggested that we should take the last coach. I felt the front would be crowded. Around 06:47hrs we entered into the second coach as Nishant personally suggested that it would be better. Ashwin Kumar offered to wave at me at Korattur. He is one of my friends and I wave to him each time when I cross Korattur in train. I asked him to stand near the station board of Korattur Railway station.


Beach bound EMU running parallel to us near Chennai Fort.

The train started bang on time and soon we were chugging along. RK and Nishant were sitting at the door. I warned RK and Nishant about passengers who would board the train in running as it crosses Chennai Fort, Chennai Beach as the train won't go fast and many passengers are known to board RU bound trains in running.. Surprisingly, those platforms were empty. Though, I had the other door for myself, I didn't go to it, as I wanted to stay with RK and also wave at Ashwin. WAG-9#31070 was waiting at Royapuram with a freight rake. Royapuram shed was being constructed.

Pic taken by RK while our train goes towards Vyasarpadi Jeeva. Our friend Ranganath Eunny was travelling in this train. It is the Chennai-Vijayawada Jan Shatabdi Express hauled by AJJ WAM-4#21228. He was doing a ring trip MAS-GDR-RU-AJJ-CGL-MS.



There were four TTE's in disguise inside our coaches. They started checking our tickets. They looked like typical bank office-goers of the 1970's and I couldn't even identify. The smart thing they did was to check the tickets after Royapuram. The next halt was at RU and the train doesn't stops at AJJ. So the offender could be caught quite easily.



Royapuram Shed. Our train is now crossing Royapuram.

RK took a pic of Jan Shatbadi with AJJ WAM-4#21228. As our coach crossed over the bridge, Ranga's Jan Shatabdi(JS) crossed beneath us. The JS was doing decent speed in my opinion. We entered into the main line and we were soon accelerating. It was loads of fun overtaking EMU's. I remembered my friend Sridhar when my train crossed Perambur and I remembered my friend Gowri when my train crossed Villivakkam. WAP-1's acceleration was simply fantastic! I waved at Ashwin at Korattur. We crossed all the stations in a flash. The speed was fantastic. I always find that trains in MAS-AJJ-KPD-JTJ doing more speed than the ones in MAS-GDR-NLR, but I like the latter more though.


WAG-9#31070 was spotted near Royapuram. I took this photo standing near the door.

Near Hindu College, WAP-1 won the race at a ferocious speed sending a message to all cute EMU's and fierce tiger faced WAG-7's, "அதிகமா ஆசை படர EMU'வும், அதிகமா கோப படர WAG-கும் என் கூட மோதி ஜெயிச்சதா சரித்திரமே இல்லை".


WAP-1#22005 "Jawahar" hauls 2164 Dadar Superfast towards Renigunta. Pic taken after Arokkonam.


The train was negotiating a long curve.

The train crossed Arokkonam(AJJ) at a slow speed. Suddenly, it stopped and we all felt a jerk. I couldn't believe that the train has actually halted at Arokkonam it wasn't a halt as per the Timetable. After two minutes, we started again and very soon we were doing great speeds. We crossed Tiruttani at a good speed. Freights took the loop and we got the preference. I never knew that WAP-1 can run so fast.


What a nice place. Icchiputtur is the station name. I love such lonely places.

As my train crossed the wayside stations, I observed the scenery around and the nearby village. The stations were nice. Most of them were deserted. Greenery everywhere. Ideal spot for railfanning. Peace! Nothing more and nothing less. I was amazed at the speed and the rapid moving scenery. I was eager and excited as I would be entering into one of my beloved neighbouring state Andhra Pradesh soon. I was even excited to observe Renigunta-Gudur. I never knew that later on in my life Renigunta-Gudur section(70km) would impress me so much and the impact was tremendous. As we neared Renigunta I saw a board saying, "South Central Railway welcomes you". Right from my childhood days, it's been a great pleasure for me to observe this particular board each time when my train travels into Andhra Pradesh.



"South Central Railway welcomes you". This board is found just before Renigunta Jn.

We got down at Renigunta Jn. Kalahasti would be a half an hour train journey from Renigunta. Taking a bus from Koyambedu is the best option, but since I am a railfan, I would rather take a train. After Renigunta, trains bound towards Mumbai change locomotives. Electric locomotives are detached and mostly WDM-2's or WDM-3A diesel locomotives take charge all the way till Pune or sometimes even till the destination. RK, Nishant and myself walked to the front and waited there to watch the loco-changing ceremony. No immediate efforts were taken for loco change at RU. They wasted at least 10minutes. Later WAP-1#22005 was removed and WDM-2#16500 came to take over the job. We moved over to the next platform and had our breakfast! I had poori masala and vada while Ram Karthik and Nishant preferred dosas. After having dosas, Ramkarthik suggested that Gudur dosa was better. I asked him what was so special about Gudur dosa. He said that it could be felt only by experience and not by words.The ticket to Kalahasti cost Rs.19 per head. The distance was 24km from Renigunta. We boarded another train called Tirupati-Puri Express. It was Tirupati-Puri Express.

WAG-9 hauled freight was waiting outside Renigunta. Ramkarthik took this photo from Tirupati-Puri Express. Ramkarthik isn't a big railfan, but I forced him to take this shot


AJJ WAP-1#22005 that hauled our Egmore-Dadar Superfast


WDM-2#16500 would be the power for the train from Renigunta to Pune.

Video taken by Ram Karthik Seshadri as our train negotiates a curve at an high speed.
-Trip Report Continued in Part II