DoJ: 22nd March 2014
After planning a sudden trip to MV (Trip report later due to technical reasons), the next leg of journey was from MV to MS- after all possible combinations and PNR history giving not much confidence in PQWL, booked W/L 53/25 from KMU to Ms boarding MV by Uzhavan Express the farmer's train
The IRCTC sms at 7Pm gave a good news that ticket was confirmed in S3 coach berth 55 (SLB). Was completely excited- Reached MV station at 22:00hrs
The...
more... Railway station at MV is a desxcription of the old MG and new BG era- The station master rooms and other retirning being placed at the old MG era Pf level while the BG platform is at higher level (Pic 2)- After my trip to Chennai by the MG era Kamban in 1999 April, this was the next trip to Chennai and I remember awaiting here for the Kamban at 23:30hrs then, with its arrival time at Ms being at 8AM. things have changed for better now- later my memories went to April 1997 where me and my grandparents went by the Thanjavur FP from here and reached Mambalam almost 2 hrs late around 8:45AM owing to our train getting sidelined at St. Thomas Mount allowing all MG Expresses of chord line to overtake
As my mind went over these thoughts, my eyes went to the rake of VM-MV evening pass quietly resting on Pf-2 as a Erode wDM-2 rested on Pf-3. The announcement broke my thoughts at 22:10hrs that 16184 will be arriving shortly
At 22:15, almost 15 mins ahead of its schedule, GOC WDM-2 entered onto Pf-1 of MV with the 16184- S3 was a 2013 coach looking good and being KMU quota, i was the only person to board the coach and a middle aged lady occupying 55 as expected requested me to take over 53 the MB. Well didnt refuse and before train left, TTE came asking for seat No. 55 and i showed my ticket
Looked around the coach just to compare with the MG era tiny ones having 3 doors rather than 2 door BG and the Side berths present, Occupied my berth as train started keeping my bed sheet a bit away from me as the gentleman in the LB had shut off the glass window but all other windows ensured I am comfortably placed- The train raced past the small stations of Nidur and anandathandavapuram to slowly stop at Vaitheeshwaran Koil and Sirgazhi, giving me an impression that the TJ FP of the MG era has been made an Express in the BG era cosidering number of stoppages and ideal connection to Chennai from the delta
As these crossed, I slowly went off to sleep the train comfortable in speed and rocking swayed me gently that I was off to sleep within minutes after 11PM
Woke up at around 1:15AM to find we had stopped- the lenght of platforms and trains giving an impression that it could well be VM and we had stopped for loco change. announcement was made that 11064 SA-MS Express was on Pf-1 as another train left from our adjoining platform-Few minutes later, announcement went for 11063 Chennai-Salem Express to arrive on PF-5 and very soon a diesel hauled train entered onto Pf-5 around 1:35AM- At 1:45AM we were given the starter and proceeded
Woke up soon after at 2:10AM on hearing a loud horn- A WAP hauled train crossed us which I thought could be the Kamban to Karaikkal or the Uzhavan pair on opposite- very soon was back to sleep
Woke up to find lights on and time was 4:15AM- train slowing down and people all around were calling out"Tambaram has come" Got down from berth to find major of bay empty and settled down in SLB, watching the suburbs of chennai pass by and in the darkness, bright light soon found a place as we crossed Pavazhanthangal with the arches of the Airport well lit giving us company till Meenambakkam- after a scheduled halt at Mambalam, we proceeded without glitches to position ourselves on Pf-3 of Chennai Egmore 10 mins ahead of schedule at 4:45AM and on exiting found that WAP1 of AJJ was the lead for our train for the stretch between VM and MS
Thanks for reading
