The traffic was scanty being a holiday and a relaxed cab travel, coming close to the railway station end marking end of the Holidays. Envying the BRTS taking the flyover , waiting for the day to take a journey by same , went past the route only to be stuck a kilometer before the station , courteousy the independence day celebration

After a lunch at Basaveshwara Khanavali, reached the station at 125PM , with a parallel run with a LHB rake of SWR, the 16533 Jodhpur Bangalore via Guntakal express . Settling...
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the cab driver , walked into the SWR HQ station , the rake of 12080 stationed on PF-2 covered by the Dharwad Bangalore Vande Bharat making a PF-1 entry , as I cursed the newbie for getting priority over the JS onto PF-1

Walked to PF-2 and settled down in the C2 coach, the last but one coach of the rake . Availablity revealed the train was 60% occupied , being a beginning of long weekend holiday . When people were planning to leave City, we are headed in opposite into the City

The VB quickly left and time ticked , as we waited for our schedule time. 16533 rake was sleeping on PF-3, having a scheduled departure behind us and having almost 40 mins to kill arriving ahead of schedule . It would be past midnight but not early morning when he would reach Bangalore. These long distance schedules are in need for a rewamp

The 11006 from Pondicherry to Dadar pulled into PF-1 at 1405 hrs and we too got the departure signal . Slowly pulled out , as the Chalukya rake ended , the terminal PF's showed of PF-6 and 7 showed up and PF-1 slowly extended into PF-8 , making it the longest platform . The rake of SC-UBL-DR was stationed on PF-8, not sure which rake it was working then

The initial runs were quite slow, a light drizzle in afternoon sun , and view of full trains as we approached the curves . The MPS didn't cross past 90 as the stations were dispatched soon .

A quick stop go at Haveri , a before time of 4 mins at Ranebennnur and I got into the PF for a quick stretch of legs with Dad. Both C1 and C2 seemed to be from consist of 12028 with Tamilnadu tourism ads behind all the seats . Bamban Bridge Rameshwaram was the highlight , as P got replaced by B . The line seemed to had a incline towards the PF, with the door failling to stay open A shrill whistle from the guard and we were back into the AC confines

A quick run again and across the Tungabhadra bridge for a halt at Harihara , followed by another quick halt at Davangere, 143 kms covered in 2 hrs 10 mins run , a slight before time . The AC in meanwhile showed it's full form and with unfilled occupancy , sent us into freezing mode

A quick departure from Davangere and we were back into full form now, speeds touching past 100. A flurry of Blue AC coaches indicated the Palace queen Humsafar bound to Udaipur crossing us equal speed . The line from Chitradurga joined us soon and we approached Chikkajajur and pulled out . The DCBA halt as started for us, an interesting one for this train

A quick cross with the Siddhaganga express bound to Dharwad . Soon we crossed the High sulphur diesel station (HSD- Hosadurga road ) . The sun and clouds played hide and seek , as we approached towards the hillly borderline , the clouds seemed to have opened up on the hills with the cloudline marked by a thick blanket extending over it .


The flyover over the line and a line from Shimoga joined us soon from right , indicating arrival into Birur junction at 545PM, delayed by few minutes . A quick run took us into Kadur where the Vasco bound 17309 was having scheduled halt. The Talaguppa bound superfast crossed us soon following the 17309


Time ticked soon and as we slowed down for next stop , approaching Arasikere . The scheduled crew change halt and a craving to have a light snack , approached the doorn, just to spot a vendor selling thatte idly . Collected 1 plate of thatte idly vade, increasing it to 2 & 3, just as dad approached from the other door to catch the 3rd plate filed with chutney . Idly was warn, chutney tasty and vade though cold was still crisp and not rubberish

A quick run past Tiptur, darkness sets in and flurry of lights and darkness indicates approaching stations and crossing . A few slow runs and pickups we arrive into PF-2 of Tumkur at 1940 hrs , as PF-1 is occupied by the 11021 Tirunelveli bound Chalukya cooling it's slack for an hour and waiting for us to take lead. God knows when they going to speed up this train involving multiple zone despatch and acceptances .

A blasting run and expected a slowdown at Chikkabanavara , but it was a glide through the station to reach the Yeshvantapur byepass at 2030 hours . Waiting for clearance, as a diesel hauled 16545 bound to Sindhanur accelerated past us , right to give us clearance to arrive into YPR PF-3 at 2035 hours , an exact 6 hrs 30 mins run for the 464 kms

PF-2 had the overcrowded rake of 11312 bound to Kalburagi , PF-1 with the 12257 bound to Kochuveli . The station was pretty bustling at the moment with continuous announcement. A ICF rake was pulled out from the pit between PF-3 & 4 towards SBC end . 16576 from MAJN pulled in giving a parallel run to the moving rake onto PF-4

12257 left quickly and followed by 11312 and we still waited . Thought we should leave sooner as 20653 will be leaving , but we were put on hold . PF-6 display showed 06545 BJP express and announcement went for 20653 arriving on PF-2 shortly , as clock ticked to 2105 hours

By luck would have had it, 20653 had a late departure and arrived into PF-2 at 2117 hours and we got the starter as soon as the loco crossed us , a 37 mins halt at YPR after a blasting line

A quick line on the opposite line of the twin single line , and annon stop run , puled into PF-10 of SBC, as announcement went for 16592 arriving onto PF-10 and 16511 to Kannur waiting for scheduled departure on PF-9

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Can we continue the call for another 10 mins , asked the partner , as clock ticked to 5PM. Quick call sir , I have to leave and finish lunch as well . Very quickly the conclusion matters were discussed and closed as clock ticked to 510PM, with my mom calling continuously on WhatsApp whether I have started . 5 to 10 mins I messaged , as they were already half the way through

A quick booking through uber and a 3 mins wait and auto was already there . A quick...
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run through Saturday traffic to the back gate . 1st time understood that the ramp connected into the station from the new flyover , instead of taking a U turn as earlier and 30 mins of boarding the auto recahed the back gate of KSR SBC as mobile called from mom ,

We have already reached PF-10 with luggage , you have coffee and come . We have got dosa for your lunch my mom said . Had a coffee at the entrance watching the display board

12786 had already arrived on PF-5 . 16595 was not in display and neither on PF. A MEMU had arrived from YPR end was standing on PF-8, ready to leave as Hindupur MEMU . 16232 was still showing as Mayiladuthurai express in display board


Took the ramp to reach PF-10 while my aunt and uncle came in opposite . Hi they said . Why use ramp when you can use trolley ramp at PF end I asked. Ok we will come back in that post coffee I said and went to the PF

Here have set dosa , told my dad handing over a packet . Put it in plate and filled with sagu. A packet of pakoda was also taken. The dosa was pretty sour , but with saagu managed to finish 2 of the 3 as Hindupur MEMU left from PF-8. A DMU took its position soon, to leave shortly as Kolar DMU . 16595 and 16511 were reported cancelled , following the landslip in the ghat section


Rake of 22691 Rajdhani was standing in the pit , with the staff cleaning up and arranging the coach accessories to start the evening . A WDP4B pulled into PF-10 with the ICF rake of Channapatna Bangalore passenger , to leave as Arasikere passenger shortly . Left after 10 mins halt with coaches full to seating but not standees

Mysore bound Chamundi express soon left from PF-6 as clock ticket to 1820 hours . Soon announcement was made for the 16535 to enter and KJM WAP-7 bought in the train on dot 1825 hours onto PF-10. No trolling , no held ups today thought to myself as the LHB rake was pulled in

Boarded the B3 coach. For lower berth sake had booked 2 tickets under senior citizen quota and 4 under regular quota resulting in 3 LB, 1 SL, 1 MB and 1 UB

The cooling was perfect , slightly high and at 1835 hours we started on dot . The coach was slightly empty , with about 10 berths vacant in our coach as per chart . A slow run for 10 mins, and weslowly pulled into PF-3 of YPR as 22688 Varanasi Mysore express pulled out of PF-2 . PF-1 was occupied by the 16571 Bidar express , fully packed with the weekend crowd in the UR and SL full

A quick stop halt go , and we exited YPR and picked up pace pretty quickly . At YPR outer , the Dharwad Bangalore Vande Bharat whiZed past , as we gained speed, but I was sure that speed won't last long . The Hassan Solapur express 11312 quickly went past behind the Vande Bharat

The passenger ahead would get clearance ahead us , and as expected , we quickly came to unofficial halt at Doddbele for passenger to clear the halt ahead . The next 2 stops were trotted past quickly , before coming to a halt again at Nidvanda and Dobbspet for the pass ahead . The same repeated at Kyatsandra and right at Tumkur outer , the 12080 Jan shatabdi whizzed past us towards Bangalore

Puducherry bound 11021 Chalukya express was on PF-1, the general half filled and sleeper full . The Arasikere passenger was looped here for overtake on PF-4 as we were on PF-3 . Left soon after a 2 min halt

Time ticked close to 8PM and time for dinner , and confines of AC couldn't spot much activities outside. The dinner was served then had and the time by then had passed quickly. A quick stop go at Tiptur just as we finished dinner . The stream of lights across the tracks wass blocked by regular freights blasting past us, giving an impression of lights flickering rather than train crossing

A quick run and at 2110 hours arrived into PF-2 of ASK. The Chennai Central bound 12692 weekly from Shimoga was stationed here on PF-1 , delayed by about 2 hours . The sleeper was about 50% occupied but UR was sparsely full. Announcement was made for the Mangalore Vijayapura express , short originating from Hassan owing to the landslide

A long stop for crew change and we were off again . In meantime the UB was exchanged for another LB, leaving an odd MB for me to take for the night . The 16209 Ajmer Mysore express closely followed the Chennai express .

A quick run and we slowly pulled into Kadur main line after about 25 mins run . The Shimoga bound DMU from Tumkur was ahead of us and we waited for it to clear the block ahead . A couple who had to deboard at Birur and head off to Chikmaglur took it as an opportunity to get off at unscheduled halt. After 3 mins we left and arrived Birur junction where few more people got off the train

It was time for us to sleep and laid down the berths to sleep . The sleeper took over me quickly as I reminded mom, dad and aunt to keep alarm at 415AM for getting off at scheduled arrival of 440 at Badami .

Woke up in middle of the night to find us standing at a station. Hubbali junction indicated WIMT as announcement went on that 16535 was on PF-4. Time was 135AM, a 20 mins before time arrival and a sharp 7 hours run from Bangalore for the 470 kms . Turned and tossed in bed for some time as we got clearance to proceed at 210AM and sleep took over me as we crossed the Hubbali yard and curved left

A good sleep later woke up to see clock ticking to 415AM and about 10 kms to Hole Alur . Checked for crossing with 17320 and he had already reached Gadag .


Woke up my parents aunt asking them to get ready slowly . Hole alur was quickly crossed and sharp 440AM arrived at Badami station in a very dimly lit PF-2 . There were works happening all across PF and PF-2 exit was blocked , as all passenger made a jump across tracks to PF-1, while we went back to stair case to climb over to PF-1 and slowly moved out of station . The auto stand was also away from station owing to station works and we made our way to the sound of the gurgling autos with crew calling our "Banashankari" and "Badami bus stand " to the passengers , as our visit to the historical capital started


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WAP-4 waits for the signal , handling a short rake on PF-3 . WAP-7 slowly crawls past PF-2 , without a stop , hauling the one of the longest distant daily , 12625 to New Delhi . A few passengers mistake it as the SMVT bound 12683 , making a run behind the AC coaches. Atleast read the board guys , the board is as bright to be ready across from the PF-3. Or may be my mind is already set to read it as such..Railfans mind you see . The rake was pretty full, UR's quite crowded

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Tirunelveli bound short rake via Palani , Madurai , Tenkasi soon gets the starter , and is on the move. It is now time to move towards the coach position from the comfort zone of the PF-3 where we settled down.

S8 - 7 from the engine -12683 - PF-2 , was said the blue marker on the white board near enquiry as we entered. Unlike the City counterpart, this station sees lesser footfall, except for few trains like ours , which skip the main city station taking the byepass . As long as it's a train , my family doesn't mind it , even if it starts from a remote Podanur jn and ends up at even more remote SMVT.

PF-2 seemed to have come from a different era pushing us back by years. The electronic displays were all silent . The markings on the PF indicated - Coach position 9 PGT end , coach 13 ED end ... We had a way to walk, bending down and reading the platform markings. The announcement in meantime read our the coach position of our train once again

Coimbatore Bangalore is close to as distant as Chennai Bangalore, but there are no sleep killers in this section. The so called superfast are available, but they utilize the double line section, increasing the distance by 50 kms . The short guy on this route in night ends up at Yeshvantapur while the demanded crawler shows his powers again via Tirupattur , time & again proving he is a superfast. The day time caterpillar primo supremo also takes short route , taking 6 hrs 20 mins for the section in single line, while his counterpart with double storey takes the longer route at 6 hrs 50 mins

Lallaguda WAP-7 pulls into PF-2 , coming in faster than the 12625 who actually crawled through. Fella you are supposed to halt here man, thought to myself , as the braking sound was heard.. a gleaming set of LHB coaches moved past, indicating a fresh rake set has been allocated to this train . This is one train that has still retained S-12 and 5 AC coaches despite becoming LHB .

S-8 stopped close to the coach 7 Erode end marking and the walk was short . The fresh interior caught my attention and my eyes went upto the black badge on top. Jan-2024 read the badge. Cool thought to myself

The fresh lit interior have a pleasant feel . In meantime the 18189 TATA ERS pulled into PF-4 , skipping the Main Town station . We had a long halt than expected , as clock struck to 2120 hrs .

The LHB jerk was felt , but the run was smooth . We were about 20 mins late , crawling behind Kerala with 13 mins delay and an extended halt here. The run was pretty slow, and we laid out berths to sleep , as our train slowed down to halt at Irugur junction outer for clearance from the Coimbatore junction line

Laid down to sleep and felt the train thundering past on the tracks , crossing Irugur and the likes and in no time, brakes were hard hit and Tiruppur was entered, a 32 mins run from Podanur . Our co-pass for lower berth boarded here . RAC was filled in our coach, TTE checked tickets, no unauthorised passengers, time ticked to 10PM and I went off to sleep

Woke up at 330AM and felt the train was speeding . Definitely hasn't crossed KJM thought to myself and turned on WIMT . Malur beamed the WIMT. Craned my neck to Middle berth, dad was awake .. shall we get off at KJM I asked. Yeah I thought of waking you up , we can he replied. Dad got off and woke up mom from the lB , as the presence of the IOC depot indicated we approached Devangonthi


Packed my bedsheets, wore the spectacles and waited as we crossed Whitefield, crawled past Hoodi halt . 16220 Tirupati Chamrajnagar left KJM 345 indicated WIMT . The metro line at Mahadevapura indicating KJM approaching and we got ready with luggage to deboard at 358AM as we entered PF-4


Let's have a cup of tea and go said my mom, so stopped near the enterance for tea . 12683 in meantime blew the whistle . A person drinking coffee next to us whispered oh God he left and ran to board the train with coffee in hand. My heart skipped a beat , he dropped the coffee tumbler down and tried to board the train . I turned away fearing the worst .. 15 seconds later sensing station was silent heaved sigh of relief that he was safe

PF-2 had a decent crowd waiting for the DBRG bound 22501 approaching in a short while .As we sipped into coffee, noticed a light at corner approaching , the WAP-7 coming in silently onto PF-3 crawling past, after having not received the clearance yet after 12683 as clock ticked 0405 . The "Sleep killer " 12657 from Chennai made the presence felt, the loco honking for clearance as the coaches passed by

Walked out of the station, as a BMTC 500D packed to core pulled out with the 12683 crowd , as another approached from behind . Booked for cab and waited for 3 minutes he said , only to see a train pulling into PF-4. The 1 hour late running 12835 Hatia SMVT Express !!!

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3 coffee please , I said at the Nescafe counter outside PF-1 of SBC. Time was 920PM, exactly 30 mins to go for my train . As per WIMT, the train was still at Bangalore East, which meant an ontime departure wasn't on cards , a minimal departure delay was expected , enough to consume the coffee. The display board beamed PF-4 , the most horrible platform of the station .


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Hmm, relaxing for coffee, asked my Mom as I took the 1st sip. Much more relaxed than the relaxed schedule of our train , I replied. Barely an hour back, I had the whole house in tantrums running on my toes , the face , mins, body completely tensed.



A Friday evening , leaving office at 650PM, waiting for auto till 710PM, auto fellow going in round and staying in same place at 725PM , the traffic and private buses standing still as if the entire weekend was available . Not for me, who had to go home, refresh, finish dinner and hop on to another cab to station and all I had was 2.5 hours in hand . Enough , but may not be .



The Hosur road signal , after eternity , changed to green. WIMT showed the train at Yelahanka, having arrived on schedule . The "relaxed" schedule for the train, not for me. The roads all seemed against me, lanes getting blocked and every passing minute was increasing the heart beat . Called up mom and asked them to finish dinner and pack my dinner. I can have it in the cab too



After what seemed like eternity , a good 1 hour after boarding the auto , reached Home at 8:05 PM. Changed into casuals and came back to gobble up the dinner. No worries said my Dad. We have Cantt why worry said my Mom. As if he will come on time , Kurla generally is delayed right said my dad. No pa, he is in Yelahanka at 730, no scope for delay I said, finishing my dinner and running to wash the plate and clear the table ,as time ticked to 840PM, 70 mins to go .



Uber had a very positive sign, a 40 mins schedule . Should be fine said Dad . Book it will give 30 mins buffer . Booked it, can arrived in 4 mins time and 845 we were off



I have a very bad habit in app based aggregator especially while going to Majestic . Generally don't allow driver to follow Uber route, but to take my route . Driver understood the route and despite Uber advising him to take a right, took multiple lefts and finally Uber let it go and came to my route . End result , a good relaxed coffee at enterance with Mom taunting me of the incident some time back .



Walked into PF-1 , Mail not shunted , we can take the trolley ramp instead of single FoB that connects to PF-4 . Slowly walked towards the ramp, and just as we reached, got a shocker...whistle blowing .. 12658 rake was getting ready to be shunted into PF-1 and whistle being blown at the end to prevent people . Mom was few steps behind and I wondered what next ?? Walk all the way to othee end and take the FoB .. suddenly Dad said , chalo move... The "X" was visible at PF end , and we crossed the line safely without hurry . The rake slowly was pushed into PF-1 .



12678 was asleep on PF-2, and PF-3 had the rumbling WAP-7 awaiting for 11013 . Walked over to PF-4, my parents S-2 and my S-4 being at the other end of the rake , so not much walking involved



Announcement came in for the 20664 Mysore Vande Bharat running 20 mins late and just as the announcement ended , Erode WAP-7 pulled into the corner with the 11013 , sans any announcement . Poor guy was pretty relaxed, looks like he slept , for he had taken 2 hours 15 mins for the YNK SBC section , arriving 40 mins late into SBC . My coach S-4 was a NFR coach, the red LHB being black in dirt. S-2 was much better with Red being red from CR



Settled my parents in S-2 and moved to my coach, with a water bottle and bed sheets, the luggage safely deposited with parents . The Vande Bharat in meantime came onto PF-7 at 945PM and soon Lalbagh followed at 950PM. The WAP-7 that bought in 11013 moved through PF-3, followed closely by WAP-4 that came with 12678



The rake of 16593 Nanded was shunted out in meantime from the pitline onto PF-6 as Vande Bharat moved out . At 1015PM the customary LHB jerk was felt and we too pulled out



Seat No. 55 occupant hadn't arrived yet , so sat by the emergency window . The sliding windows were half open and emergency grill wasn't there giving a temptation to drop something out through open. Pulled the shutter into half as we arrived into BNC at 1025PM, with a WAP-7 hauled 12027 shatabdi arrived on opposite .



Slowly we pulls out of BNC, picked.up good speed and arrived into BYPL, slowing to cross the track. KJM WAG-9 was on PF-1 with the KIK SMVT rake. We slowly went out climbing the gradient and picking up speed passing through the suburbs of Bangalore



Seat No. 55 passenger arrived soon and I set off to sleep . The TTE came shortly after and after ticket checking , went off to sleep



Lights switching on and people speaking woke me up , as clock ticked to 325AM. The passenger was waking up his younger son from UB , indicating arrival into Salem. Slept back again





Faintly heard my mobile ringing and woke up. Time was 535AM and it was my Dad . Are you awake ?? Come to S2 noone is there he called. Yes I replied and got up and walked to S2 and in sleepy town asked Dad - have we crossed Tiruppur ??





Tiruppur aa... That went too long back. We are almost at Irugur said my Dad . We pulled to a halt at the outer , then slowly pulled in and stopped inside the station for almost 5 mins, before pulling out again after 550AM



What a schedule allocated , said my Dad. Spend 2 hours for YNK SBC, almost 30 mins at Omalur to move to Salem and now crawling from Tiruppur to Coimbatore. Looks like even if they speed up by 4 hours he should still reach Coimbatore on time .



Slowly crossed the points, leaving the Podanur line and entering into CBE limits . There was a line up of trains at CBE, so PF could be a constrain . And of course we were ahead of schedule . Had a quick cup of tea from the vendor, a relaxed tea, much more relaxed than the schedule of the train



Zig zig zig zig flash went across, as the 22666 Bangalore bound Uday went past us , as we went past the COIMBATORE suburbs of Singanallur and Peelamedu . The Chennai bound 20644 Vande Bharat went past us soon and soon we pulled into Coimbatore North at 620AM



As a surprise we weren't held up at Coimbatore North , but slowly trotted past as WAP-7 pulled out with the Chennai bound 12680 intercity express . The hapiness soon went off as were held up at Coimbatore outer



The wait continued till a WAP-7 exited with a series of 14 D marked coaches , with 2 sleeper and 2 AC , the Nagercoil Dibrugarh special slowly pulling out from PF-1. We slowly pulled into PF-4 of Coimbatore , with Mayiladuthurai Jan shatabdi on PF-2, Nagercoil express on PF-3 , Cheran on PF-5 and 20642 Vande Bharat as PF-6 as announcement went on for the Raptisagar to arrive on PF-1





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