28th December 2014
It was a run for the money last time
to capture Golden Chariot at Malleswaram. So it was decided to leave early next
Monday to capture the return run of Golden Chariot. I will share about this
story soon.
4th Jan 2014
The plan was to go to Nidvanda by
taking Bangalore – Hubli / Chitradrga Passenger. Nikhil had bought tickets for me from Bangalore
which meant that I had to just go to Malleswaram and board the train. The train
arrived at 07:55 with Krishnarajapuram Alco in the lead, I boarded the second
coach from the loco where my friend had reserved a seat for me. As soon as I boarded
Mysore bound Golgumbaz led UBL WDP4B screamed past. We departed as the other
train was passing. We were given a caution at Yesvantpur home which meant that
we need to wait to enter Yesvantpur. At Yesvantpur, there was loco mela
starting from Erode to Mugalsarai ( MGS ). Yes, Mugalsarai WDM3A was seen next
to the rake of Tatanagar Yesvantpur. It was totally confusing for us as to
which train would get it as we stopped for a scheduled halt at Yesvantpur. We
soon departed and crossed a Chocolate WAG5 belonging to Vijaywada with
Tatanagar rake. As we further moved towards the Yesvantpur yard, I wished not to see
a loco with Yesvantpur Barmer AC Express
rake and the wish was granted. The next thing that came to our mind was seeing
that special visitor MGS WDM3A with AC Express. We had an amazing run to Nidavanda
behind KJM 16586, crossed 3 trains in the process. We reached Nidavanda at
08:55, WDM3A accelerated out in a typical ALCO style. We walked a km ahead and
settled down there to catch the trains which had planned to. Shimoga – Bangalore Passenger
and Bangalore – Tumkur Passenger were the first 2 trains. Time was almost 10:35
and there were still no signs of golden chariot. At exactly 10:40, the gates
closed and the signal turned proceed towards Bangalore side. The Golden Chariot
arrived in style led by beautiful looking ED WDG3A, the same loco that took out
the Golden Chariot on 28th December. The mission of the trip was done
and we were waiting for the bonus with 50 – 50 option in mind. We had informed
2 other railfans to check the link of the AC express but to our bad luck, both
of them missed it. Time was around 11:00, the gates closed and the signal
towards Bangalore was cleared, Shimoga Intercity passed by with a WDP4 in the lead. 5 minutes later,
gates closed again and it was a small prayer before the train sound was heard.
A classic ALCO honk was heard which meant that my prayers were answered and
soon dust were thrown at the Level crossing. The ALCO from MGS curved in
beautiful and it was like a mass hero entry from the movies. The Classic
Rajdhani ICF rake with few mismatch coaches flashed past us and soon it curved
out of sight. We then decided to head
back to station to board our return train back home. The train was Tumkur –
Bangalore Passenger, it arrived at 11:50 and dropped me at Malleswaram by 12:55
thus ending a short lucky trip. Pictures from the trip can be seen below
Bangalore - Hubli / Chitradurga Passenger led by KJM WDM3A arrives at Malleswaram
The Surprise at Yesvantpur, Mughalsarai WDM3A
Erode WAP4 at Yesvantpur
The Yesvantpur - barmer AC gets ready, a red hot ET WAP4 seen next to it
Erode WDM3D with Kannur - Yesvantpur Express waits for clearance to enter Yesvantpur
KJM WDG4 with Arsikere - Bangalore passenger departs from Bairanayakanahalli
KJM WDP4 with Tumkur - Bangalore fast passenger near Dodbele
KJM WDM3A accelerates from Nidavanda after dropping us
The first train at Nidvanda - Shimoga - Bangalore Passenger led by KJM WDP4
The next train, Bangalore Tumkur Passenger led by KJM WDP4
The Golden Chariot led by ED WDG3A
Shimoga - Bangalore Intercity Express led by KJM WDP4
A dry tree
MGS WDM3A with Yesvantpur - Barmer Express
Hope you all liked it.....
