Journey to beloved Andhra Pradesh

Map of the route taken by us. Courtesy: Poochi Venkat.

24th October, 2009.

It was 02:30. I had been preparing for my upcoming training and wasn’t sleepy. The alarm screamed at 03:35 and I woke up, wondering how to make it through the day. I wouldn’t keep awake for more than a day unless there’s something important to do. Near MadhyaKailas Junction, I boarded a bus (from Pondicherry) to Guindy and then a local train (EMU) to reach Chennai Central by 04:50. I spotted one of our Loco-Pilot-friends who had just brought in #2658 Bangalore Mail, then located our train (2611 Garib Rath) on platform #2; coach was J4, second from the locomotive.

Regular readers, schoolmates and college friends may understand it better. For others, let me explain! I love traveling and always spend some of my free time observing lifestyles of people while traveling by rail. I love watching scenery especially when the train goes through forests and ‘lonely’ lands.

This time I wasn’t traveling alone. Harish Kumar working in Polaris, a traveler and trekker, couldn’t join us. The other member was 44-year-old PoochiVenkat – veteran photographer and intrepid traveler. Anyone associated with photography at a professional level would know about PoochiVenkat. He’s one of my mentors too. Poochi is more interested in wildlife and nature than in machines! He was on a holiday from Nagpur and suggested we do the ring trip. I’m the first one to cancel any work/preparations if the travel involves Andhra Pradesh! Never miss a run between Katpadi and Tirupati or Renigunta and Gudur. Amazing rural scenery and fine people.

I always say my best friends live in these villages of Andhra Pradesh. But…… I don’t know them and they don’t know me…

Normally we’d first go to Katpadi, then to Gudur and return to Madras by Jan-Shatabdi. This time, the plan was different - something I was quite apprehensive about! Poochi insisted we do the ‘Ring’ in reverse: reason was the Loco-Pilot on duty with #2611 Garib Rath Express. He’s one of the best in IR, with legendary driving skills! It would be an unforgettable experience traveling in a train piloted by him.

The plan was to take 2611 Garib Rath Express from Madras to Gudur. Then board a passenger train to Tirupati. From Tirupati it’d be a DEMU (Diesel-Electric Multiple Unit) to Katpadi. Then return to Madras by 2676 Kovai Express. The entire trip was thus a ring: Begin at Chennai Central and end at Chennai Central! You start from platform #2 and get off at some other platform. But it would take 15 hours, four different trains and 460 kilometers roughly!

Please refer the attached map. The run between Gudur and Tirupati is an un-reserved passenger journey around 90 kilometres. Between Tirupati and Katpadi it’s nearly three hours through 103 kilometres, again in a passenger train without any reservation.

You need to rush for seats!


Katpadi-Tirupati section was indeed one of the best routes in Indian Railways.

Back to Chennai Central platform #2. WAP4 #22595 (from Lallaguda Shed) was the Power for our train. Poochi arrived at 05:10. We greeted our Loco-Pilot and we had a small chat with him. He was amused at our ring trip plan! Chidambaram, a friend of mine who’d just joined HCL, made it to Central in the morning to send us off. Amazing! How’d he manage the time? I thought he was a busy person.

Waiting until another train had entered its designated platform, we started three minutes late at 06:13. I was traveling in A/C for second time in my life. Poochi was tickled! I don’t travel in A/C for many reasons. I always love to watch through an unobstructed window and observe wayside stations as my train speeds through. I don’t like spending money for ‘silly things’ and always avoid filthy rich people! Maybe when I’m in corporate or college I would adjust with people but when it comes to personal life I have my choices.

My first journey by A/C was in May 2009 when I returned in Navjivan Express from Vijayawada after attending my manager’s wedding. I wanted my first journey by A/C to be in Navjivan Express and it was by my own salary. Had to wait seven months to do that. I’ve come a long way alone in my life and wish to associate a little of my success with Indian Railways. I like Navjivan Express. The name means a lot and it has inspired me to achieve great things in life.

As our train moved out of Madras, Poochi stood at the door. I wasn’t planning to stand near the door - I wanted to enjoy A/C travel from inside: our dear Loco-Pilot was known for efficient driving and smooth braking. This was the second time I was traveling in A/C and for the first time in an A/C Chair car. Luckily my seat was facing front and was by the window. No backward travel!

We stopped at Basin Bridge Home Signal to allow incoming Allepey Express cross the lines. A minute later we were cleared. The rake of Jan Shatabdi was being shunted into Central on the yard lines. True to his style our Loco-Pilot quickly notched up and we were doing 90 kmph at Tondiarpet! Another halt for a minute near Tiruvottriyur, a crawl through Ennore and a slow pace past Anupambattu. All of it must’ve irritated our Loco-Pilot! After Anupambattu we were accelerating madly. I could feel the track sounds clearly even in the air-conditioned coach! The cooling was good. I observed the coaches weren’t shaking much.

I felt as if I was traveling in a normal second-class coach with A/C! I was able to hear the sounds with more comfort. I felt the purpose of introducing Garib Rath for “poor travelers” had been achieved. Many classic moments unfolded in the trip. My train negotiated a curve after Kavaraipettai and though the locomotive was not visible (we were in the second coach), by looking backward I could see the long train curving at speed!

India’s diversity never fails to amaze me. As my train ripped through Gummidipundi at 110kmph, I was spellbound. A Hindu-Loco Pilot with a non-Tamizh Assistant-Loco-Pilot drives a train in which Sikhs, Parsis, Muslims, Christians, Hindus are bound for the National Capital where a catholic lady stepped aside for a Sikh to be sworn by the then Muslim President to manage a country having 80 percent Hindus. India certainly is divine. All Indians have won life and have shown the way to live! Without sending one soldier across the border, Indians have conquered the Planet and are now trying to expand their empire across the Solar System!


Sorry for the quality. Renigunta-Gudur section was a paradise on earth.

Malayalis, Kannadigas, Maharashtrians, Telugus, Odhiyas, Tamilians, Bengalis, the North-East, Punjab, Gujarat, Bihar and all Hindi-speaking people have together achieved a lot. In my opinion India is a Superpower! A Superpower more powerful than USA and even my beloved Soviet Union. A country’s wealth shouldn’t be measured by physical wealth but by the people. India is the richest on the Planet. For those who think India is a third-world country, I’ve something to say: KEEP DREAMING…. We are living every dream! The entire world is jealous of my country and they’re trying to break its unity by sending in terrorists.

Breakfast arrived. Poochi had Pongal-Vadai while I ordered Idli-Vadai. Fantastic! Especially vadai with chutney and sambar. I took a bite of vadai and observed the fast-moving landscape. Enjoying my life in my own way!

Our Loco-Pilot was in his element! He thundered through small stations. We crossed Arambakkam at nearly 115 kmph (my guess). Garib Rath’s average speed was a brilliant 74 kmph….. we covered the 138km to Gudur in less than two hours…. Exhilarating! We’d lost time in the suburban section; local trains running ahead. We would’ve reached early otherwise. Our Loco-Pilot’s braking style was awesome! Just one application, no jerks and the train came to a halt at the right place. While playing Microsoft Train Simulator, I’ve done my best in braking but never like this!


Pingali Venkayya-The designer of the Indian National Flag was born in Andhra Pradesh.

Chennai-Lucknow Express was already at Gudur on platform #3. The funny thing was this train would’ve started from Chennai Central at 05:15 and arrived much earlier than us. But, being an “ordinary express”, it was made to wait to for our “superfast”. The inmates of that train weren’t looking happy!

We disembarked and wished our Loco-Pilots a safe journey. I walked towards the rear of the train and observed that 3AC coaches were more silent and appeared dark inside. Many passengers were sleeping already! The train started on time. The last coach crossed us at almost 40 kmph! Indeed an aggressive Loco-Pilot! We had an hour at Gudur Junction. Having eaten Idly already, I couldn’t have the (now popular) Gudur Dosai. Poochi and I waited on platform #1. Chennai-Lucknow Express was given clearance nearly 15 minutes after Garib Rath had departed. Amusing!

A few minutes later, Kerala Express pulled into Gudur Junction. This train had come along the route we were to explore. Katpadi-Tirupati-Renigunta-Gudur! Poochi remarked that Kerala Express might overtake Lucknow Express at Nellore.

Tickets for the next leg of our journey were purchased. As always, I took a superfast ticket from Gudur to Katpadi. This meant we could either take an Express/Superfast or if we miss our connecting train at Tirupati, we’d be able to board a better train. Missing a train was unlikely - we had a lot of time to spare between trains. Since we had a through-ticket, no time would be wasted at Tirupati for another ticket.

2077 Jan-Shatabdi Express towards Vijayawada was announced and the blue-n-white short train smartly entered Gudur Junction on platform #2. The train was 15 minutes ahead of time! We recognized the Loco-Pilot. His braking skills weren’t good since he was applying the brakes too frequently in bringing the train to a halt at the correct place. Having arrived quite early, 2077 had to wait for 15 minutes. After its departure, Bangalore-Guwahati Express (toward Vijayawada) rolled through. Busy watching trains, Poochi and I discussed various aspects related to the Indian Railway system in India.


Map of the ring trip. I suggest that my friends should look at it before reading any further. I had drawn this using MS Paint.

After a 20-minute delay, 440SC Guntur-Tirupati Passenger arrived on Platform #3. Boarding it hurriedly we found no seats vacant but only space to stand – as always – near the toilet! This train was hauled by a WAG-5 freight locomotive from Vijayawada (BZA) Shed. I wondered how a freight locomotive would perform. (‘W’: Broad Gauge, ‘A’: AC-Electric, ‘G’: Goods). We were given immediate clearance.

I was disappointed not getting space by the door. Getting a window seat was impossible but didn’t matter. The Gudur-Renigunta section is my favourite and I must watch it at any cost. There was one fellow sitting on the doorstep and another standing behind him with a live chicken trussed securely; we both were behind the chicken guy. Poochi’s hunger reared its head - the bird seemed tasty!

Pulling out of Gudur, our train took the steep right curve. I wondered if it would derail! We kept below 30 kmph for some mysterious reason and then started accelerating. First halt was at Kondagunta. I couldn’t observe the station or anything as the train was overcrowded. Our next halt was Vendodu. The station was clean! Full marks to South-Central Railway. Some got out here and not many got in.


We are moving out of a station. Full marks to SCR! Neat well-maintained stations.

The Gudur-Renigunta section is double-line electrified but there isn’t much traffic. Few Passengers, Expresses and many Freights. The entire area is rustic with tropical deciduous forests and thorny scrub. Eucalyptus seemed everywhere: foolish thing to do - planting a water-hungry species in dry areas. That’s how the Government always works: half-baked idiots who think they know everything; not consulting locals who have much more knowledge about their area.

Now appear the distant mountains of the Eastern Ghats. Nallamalai and Velikonda Ranges. Nearly the oldest mountains in the world, having formed about three billion years ago. Our train would go through inspiring rock cuttings! After Kalahasti, you can observe rice fields and greenery but while nearing Rachagunneri/Renigunta, you can see many factories. In my opinion, this entire route is different from the rest of what I’ve seen in Southern India.


RU-GDR section was a different experience.

Our train started speeding only after Vendodu. Being a Freight Loco, the acceleration of WAG-5 was brutal! Poochi could feel every notch being applied…..Aggressive driving….Hard braking….typical of Loco-Pilots on the Gudur-Renigunta section! But this was also a mark of driving inexperience…. Nevertheless I enjoyed it. I would do anything to see Gudur-Renigunta section. My favourite. As our train entered the next station, I observed a WAG-7 waiting with a freight train. The Assistant-Loco-Pilot was standing at the Loco door, one leg behind the other similar to Lord Krishna. Only difference was that the Lord wielded a flute while the Assistant had the green flag!

During my school days, I always dreamt that I’d be a Loco-Pilot. My mother wasn’t interested, always wanting me to take big jobs for the sake of family prestige. I always wear blue shirt and black trousers as a dedication to that job. I’m 23 now and not sure how long I’ll live….. Might depart this World today or after 50 years. When I die I’d like to burn my mortal remains with a set of blue shirt and black trousers so in my next life I’d be a Loco-Pilot for Indian Railways. That’s my last wish.

God, are you listening?

I’m only a keyboard warrior. I haven’t the guts to stand on the border and fight for my country. Driving a train is a tough task with a lot of pressure and deadlines, but compared to fighting on the border, it’s easy. As my train zipped through the rural landscape, Poochi and I discussed railway accidents in India. Whenever there is an accident, Loco-Pilots are automatically blamed. The truth is top-level officers and station-masters are equally, if not more, responsible.

After reading the lines above, my friends would criticize I talk like a communist. Anyone can blame the driver, but whoever is the regulator should feel the heat! Consider the heterogeneous rail traffic: freight, passenger, fast-passenger, express, superfast. The amount has increased but infrastructure remains the same. The entire system is saturated and on the verge of collapse. Controllers and Loco-Pilots are under a lot of pressure adhering to timings. Time given to react is much less. This is the reason why accidents occur. Ultimately politicians should be blamed for introducing more trains without doubling the lines and improving infrastructure.

Our passenger-train 440SC was doing high speeds and the way it entered Yellakaru was simply fantastic….Another classic moment indeed! On the opposite line, WAP-4 zoomed past us with Himsagar Express. Two milk tankers attached to the rear.

Tadak-Tadak, Tadak-Tadak, Tadak-Tadak, Tadak-Tadak..... Amazing!!!

Our train was running 20 minutes late. In our coach a family was traveling with their baby boy. The little one was excited whenever a freighter crossed us! Other passengers were lifting and entertaining the baby. Even Poochi couldn’t resist making funny faces, bringing smiles on the baby’s face! This is perfect Indian Railway scenario. A family would be traveling with a child and other passengers would spend time entertaining it. Can such things happen in any other part of the world?

This is the fabric that outside forces are trying to tear – through biscuit bandits, drugged food and all else. But Indian Railways will surely keep the Indian fabric intact.


The stations in this route were amazingly clean!

I usually send SMS updates to select friends. I send to Sriram Karthik who, in turn, functions as Repeater and forwards to friends. This is because I cannot afford SMS rates when roaming! I then sent a message saying I was living every dream standing next to the toilet. One of our friends, Sridhar Joshi, called to say “Jr. KK is the only person who can actually live a dream standing next to the toilet in a train”!

We got more space as the journey progressed. At Kalahasti, people near the door disembarked and I sat there while Poochi stood beside me. Now came another classic moment. Twin Asansol WAG-5 Locomotives hauling a heavy Freight and pulling into the loop. These Locos were newly painted. Poochi felt they might’ve been painted in the BHEL Factory at Mukundarayapuram. Our train accelerated out of Kalahasti and a few kilometers later I noticed the signal on the line toward Gudur showing GREEN. I knew that Tirupati-Puri Express was approaching! In the distance I spotted the Loco. As it came near I recognized the BZA WAM-4. The entire train had only 14 coaches and it zoomed past. Simply awesome!

As we entered Renigunta, we saw a WAP4 - with front pantograph raised - shunting a HA1 coach. The loco wasn’t in motion. I was sitting at the door and when I suddenly looked at the loco, it appeared huge. Since the front Panto was up, the entire scene appeared different to me: I felt I could see Lord Vishnu’s universal cosmic form with AdhiSeshan covering the Lord’s head with his hoods. The pantographs represented the divine serpent AdhiSeshan. The sudden, mammoth expansion indicated the locomotive’s superiority and the pantos represented time. Since it covered the head of the Lord (WAP-4), it indirectly indicated that both Lord and locomotive have won time as Sesha (the panto) was covering the head! Not all can conquer and win time! WAP-4 has won time!


Pic taken from DMU.

We had a ten-minute recess at Renigunta. Our train then took the deep right-curve towards Tirupati. We had a short halt midway. Is this a station? If so, what’s the name? Can anyone throw light on this? I find my train stopping here always! We reached Tirupati at 12:20 with more than an hour to relax. Deciding on lunch at the restaurant on platform #1, I preferred Parotta with “side-dish” while Poochi ordered Vegetable Biryani. Poochi loved Veg. Biryani especially the kurma! I was content with my Parotta. I don’t prefer rice items outside. Just tiffin and snacks. We had Pista icecream too. I admit, when I rail-fan, I love outside food.

Our next train was a DEMU (Diesel-Electric Multiple Unit): similar to Chennai Locals but self-powered. The DEMU had already arrived and seats already occupied by people and handkerchiefs! I suggested the door. Starting on time, we never made great speed initially. Our next halt was Tirupati West. Many got in. Since we wanted to sit at the door, we got down first and boarded last! The train was so heavily crowded that for a while I was afraid to doorplate. I was clinging to the handles.

As people inside rearranged themselves I sat at the door while Poochi had enough space to stand beside. Chandragiri was the next halt. I expected a lot of people to board but not many did. Poochi managed to sit along with me at the door. It wasn’t easy since we haven’t got a window seat. Missing the Tirupati-Katpadi section is no option…. I would never ever do that! It’s my second all-time favorite route.


The section between Tirupati and Katpadi was scenic in my opinion!

The DEMU did good speed hitting almost 90 kmph. Hot Sun, brown landscape, great hills, farmers with cows ploughing fields, ladies busy farming in the lands, kids playing with tyres and girls returning from school. This is the stuff railfanning is all about! Girls here had “bindi” on their foreheads unlike those in cities infatuated with Western culture. If I had a sister, I would bring her up the way Andhra people educate and bring up their child.

Though I am a Tamilian by birth, I have great admiration for Andhra people. They’ve impressed me in many ways. The state is located in the southern part of India. Surrounded by Karnataka, Chattisgarh, Maharashtra and Odhisha. Exposure to both Dravidian and Hindi states has made the people friendlier and adaptable. Maybe that’s why my favourite Lord Venkateshwara decided to stay at Tirumala Hills.

If Kerala is God’s own country, then Andhra is God’s own empire. Every state in India has impressed me in one way or the other but what I appreciate in these people is conservativeness and self control. No wonder then that India’s National Flag was designed by a person from Andhra Pradesh, Pingali Venkayya. I feel sorry for terrorists and anti-social elements trying to break my country. I suggest they grow wheat and live peacefully in the villages of India.

My train’s next halt was a small station called Panapakkam. For a while I toyed with the idea of dropping everything in life, running into these villages growing wheat and rice. Meanwhile, Poochi couldn’t resist cracking jokes and making fun at my expense! Poochi always says I should be “taken care of” though I am already 23. As usual, I reduced Poochi to tears with my brand of humour! For each of our halts, we got down first and boarded last so we could sit at the door.

Halting at Putalapattu, we were on the platform road for nearly 10 minutes. Well-traveled passengers rightly predicted a crossing. But…what train? Freighter, Passenger, Express? Many disembarked with us to witness the event. Then…..Paaaaaam…a horn in the distance, approaching fast…. WAG-5 (from Arakkonam Shed), proudly hauling a freight train, zoomed through the mainline at 80kph! Simply fantastic! Simply wonderful! As the freight train came near, the kids in our train waved their hands! Glorious sight! A few things in life are still divine even if you grow old. Trains are one such. Even today, I enjoy every bit of my train journey. The mountains in the background, the moderate weather and cloudy sky added to the beauty.

At Chittoor, Poochi and I got seats inside the coach but not at the windows. I listened to music in my mobile: Michael Jackson’s “They Don’t Care About Us” and, of course, the catchy “Smooth Criminal”! Enjoying every bit of it. Mountains, coconut trees, sugarcane, rice fields and mango trees. Poochi even spotted Bamboo. The section between Tirupati and Katpadi was greener with more agricultural growth than the section between Gudur and Renigunta which was more suited to dry crops. My train halted at small stations like Siddampalli, Peyanapahalli, Ramapuram and Bommasamudram.

How simple are these people! From them I should learn a lot. Every word spoken is a blessing in this land. By the amount of greenery around, God has blessed them truly! When I get married, maybe four or five years later, I would come with my wife to places like Bommasamudram, Ramapuram, Siddampalli, Kotala, Kondagunta and Vendodu. We would watch these people and learn about living life in the simplest manner. I would take her in Navjivan Express till Vijayawada and show her the villages in Andhra Pradesh. (I am sure my foster sisters reading this article would find something to make fun of!)

Honestly, I haven’t been to many places in India but enjoyed wherever I’ve traveled. It’s bad that people fight in the name of religion and ritual. I was surprised to see people in these villages living peacefully in a sense of brotherhood. Reminded me of Axioms and Theorems. In Mathematics, the Axiom is a statement not proven conclusively but is believed to be self-evident, serving as a starting point for deducing and inferring other units. The Theorem is something that requires proofs and illustrations. Theorems are created by humans to cover up their inadequacies! Axioms are never created - they just exist and will continue to exist in life.

Life is to be discovered and not invented. Religious practices and rituals are like Theorems. Some need to be proved. Others are self-proven like Axioms. They can be understood only through self-realization. There are basic Axioms of life which serve as a base for Religions (Theorems). Love, non-violence, care, respect, understanding, patience are the basic Axioms of life. All Theorems (Religions) are written on the above aspects. These constitute Life. This is the Geometry of life. People might wonder why the need for Theorems (Religions) when Axioms (Love, Respect) hold well? The answer is Life is not a straight line and problems can be solved only through Theorems. This is one lesson I learned from these people. They know how to treat a fellow human being.

We reached Katpadi Junction far ahead of time at 15:50…. with more than three hours at hand to board Kovai Express! Our stomachs prodded us to Arenco Food Plaza on platform #3. Vegetable Biryani won the toss. Poochi was extremely delighted with the trip and the Veg. Biriyani. The next three hours join the list of classic moments. Feeling tired as I hadn’t slept the past day, I settled on a granite bench near the Starter Signal (toward Madras) on platform #3 and positioned myself in AnanthaSayanam (like Lord Vishnu) while Poochi explored the platform.

Many Freights blasted through Katpadi in both directions. Whenever the signal turned green I would gaze towards Madras and as the train passed I would turn my head towards Jolarpettai - while still in AnanthaSayanam! It was as if I was seated on my sofa at home. The best part was nobody disturbed us! Everyone went about their work – even the Police. My bench was exactly where the Loco of every Madras-bound train stopped. The Loco-Pilots would give me an amusing glance and continue their duties!

A highlight of the trip was the “new” locomotive at Katpadi. Poochi spotted it with a passenger train and we rushed across to take a look. Surprise! It was actually an old locomotive - WAP1 22031, originally with Ghaziabad Shed but now transferred to Arakkonam. The Loco looked absolutely new as if it had just been manufactured at Chittaranjan Locomotive Works! The paint job was immaculate and not one mark or letter was out of place. After a long halt, 22031 moved off toward Arakkonam with a 7-coach Passenger in tow.

BZA WAM-4 came in with Seshadri Express from Bangalore and took the curve toward Tirupati after a brief halt at Katpadi. This was another classic moment. The entire train was on the curve. An awesome sight at dusk…. Indian Railway rocks! Bhagalpur Express headed by WAP4 (from Howrah Shed) was the next visitor to Katpadi. Halted nearly 20 minutes! Wonder why? Poochi was enjoying hi-speed freight action while I was on the bench gazing at the stars. It was already night! Cool breeze, train honks, tatak-tatak and clickety-clack whenever a freight train crossed! Awesome!

Brindavan Express arrived with a WAP-4 and started almost at once. Our original plan was to board the un-reserved coach in Brindavan. Poochi then revealed that he suffered from acute claustrophobia! Brindavan’s UR looked too crowded for comfort so we decided to wait for Kovai Express. Alleppey-Dhanbad Express followed Brindavan. The joke was that Kovai Express, coming in much later, would ultimately overtake this train at Ambattur to reach Chennai Central first! Absolutely on time, #2676 Kovai Express finally pulled in with WAP-4 #22603 (Arakkonam Shed). We had reserved accommodation in Second-Sitting but, being true railfans, we knew the door held greater prospects…. Kovai is still one of the most prestigious trains in SR and it’s a real pleasure to experience the ride while ‘doorplating’!

Arakkonam WAP4 22603 is regarded a Monster Locomotive in IR. Obeying the Loco-Pilots’ commands faithfully, 22603 was soon accelerating and hit Maximum Permissible Speed (110 kmph) within minutes. Inside the coach, someone else had occupied our seats but we didn’t care! The seats were facing backward anyway! I was listening to favourite music collections in my mobile.

In a short while we rolled to a halt at Arakkonam and then were off. In Tiruvallur, we switched to the Fast-Line. Trundling through the platforms, we were blessed with a WAP4-hauled train thundering through the station toward Arakkonam! Paaaaang…..katak-katak-katak-katak……sparks flying from the panto like bright stars in the dark skies! It was the Chennai-Mangalore Mail. Amazing sound! DTS effect!

After Tiruvallur I sat at the door. My train was entering suburban territory and I loved railfanning in these parts…. to watch stations as they rushed by…. Our Loco-Pilot was obviously enjoying his job! Pooooaaang…..tattadak-tattadak-tattadak-tattadak……. Between Tiruvallur and Villivakkam, track sounds are the best as there are no Welded Rails.

At Avadi, as expected, we overtook Allepey-Dhanbad Express standing meekly on the platform road! Open-mouthed passengers helplessly watched us thundering past! Another fun classic moment was before Ambattur. Our train was running parallel to an EMU for a few seconds! Commuters in the EMU were sadly observing great Kovai hauled by His Majesty WAP4 22603 zooming all the way honking through the darkness!

Our train ripped through Korattur and Villivakkam. I wondered whether we would stop at Perambur…. Then…. Amazing braking! The loco stopped right before the signal. An experienced Loco-Pilot, it seemed! We pulled out of Perambur and another pleasant surprise awaited us at Vyasarpadi. Usually, from here, it’s a hit-and-miss game to see who’ll get entry first into Chennai Central! Trains slow down. Due to congestion and non-availability of platforms they’d wait outside Central. But….now….we were given through clearance! We even got a green (proceed) signal for BBQ (Basin Bridge)…. Never ever seen this before!! Poochi was thrilled. I was thankful. I was full tired and half dead. Desperately wanted to go home and crash!

Though we were in the seventh coach from the Loco, Poochi could spot the Platform Indicator at the Home Signal of MAS. It was to be Road #4 for us. We finally entered Chennai Central at 21:20. 15 hours ago our Trip had commenced from platform #2 and ended now on platform #4. The Ring was complete!

Not wanting to miss the bus, Poochi and I almost ran down the platform out of Central. We managed to catch only the next bus - Route A1. Poochi continued to Thiruvanmiyur while I got off at Adyar Signal and walked home. Damien was flat on the floor blissful in dreamland having devoured two full packets of biscuits!

I quietly went to bed.

-Krishna Kumar. S
Tamilnadu, India.



Credits to Poochi Venkat:-

Regular readers and friends may notice the change in style and language of the post. Few might note the difference between the previous posts and this post. The entire trip report has been double checked by Poochi Venkat and silly spelling mistakes and grammatical errors have been avoided. Though the idea and thoughts have been mine, Poochi has taken the trouble to remove the poorly framed sentences and bad choice of language. The map was also designed by Poochi Venkat. I feel that it's my duty to give credits to him.

Also in my previous post about the visit to Arasili, few photos have been taken by my friend Aravind and not me. Many readers have mistaken me as the photographer and I wonder why as I have clearly mentioned Aravind's name.