Token system in Electric Traction - Back to Basics?

Dated May 2004

This is about the new train service that has commenced on the Tirumayilai (MTMY) –Tiruvanmiyur (TYMR) section of Chennai's MRTS. This is actually the first of the trip reports I am writing, to make for easy reading, because today was a long rail fanning day :-) that includes Chennai Central (MAS), Chennai Egmore (MS), and Chennai Beach (MSB). Anyway, here we go....

I took the MRTS service from TYMR at 1130 to join fellow rail fan Karthik at Kasturba Nagar. SR is operating an hourly service (around 25min past every hour), starting from 0715 and ending at 1935 (ex. TYMR). Only 3 car rakes are being operated for now. The one I took (no. 097) was the rake that made the 1st trip (it was decorated with flowers and garlands, and was inaugurated by some railway official, for once no politicians :-)). The crowd was huge and the train was full. When the train came, the local kids clapped and cheered. However, one does not how many were ticket less; I suppose SR did not mind on that day. I talked to an SR official (who did not know about IRFCA). He said the response on the 1st day was very good, with more than 150 tickets sold per train (3 cars), the fare being Rs. 7 TYMR-MSB (seems to be reasonable). I learnt they would review the schedules after a week's operation. However, there was to be no weekend service (to allow for construction work). So no rail trips for people like me, as only weekends offered the time!

The train took 30 minutes to cover the 15km dist between TYMR and MSB, and offered magnificent views (TIDEL park, and the coastline at Adyar, etc.). Speeds were around 40-50kmph, with a run at around 60 (my guess). The ride quality on the ballast less section is very good, and there is little noise(except that of the motor car and wind). The track does not make the sounds associated with ballasted track. Without the noise, the journey was different. However, there must be some noise on any rail journey, or it does not feel complete!

Well, some interesting news here: the SR official told me that signals are not used in the new section. They follow the "one train one section" principle, wherein only one train is allowed on the new section. Only when one train comes back to MTMY, will another be allowed in. This is because only one track is used here, for there are no points anywhere on this stretch. Since only one train is allowed, the train does not require any signalling (the signal posts at many places were covered with an X symbol). To ensure safety, the driver of the train is given a token at MTMY when going toward TYMR and only when he returns it at MTMY while coming back, will another train be allowed (something like the diesel token exchange, minus the large tennis racquet like equipment!!). I guess this is the only place where tokens are used under electric traction.

The stations were well lit (as seen from MSB-TYMR 1800 service) though a major part was cordoned off in each due 2 construction work. Though Tiruvanmiyur is well located, many additional features are needed, like transfer to bus facilities and adequate parking space(today, parking was free!!). No return tickets were available anywhere in this section, and people were rushing to the ticket counters to purchase them before the train left, at TYMR. One commendable feature I would like to mention is, separate ramps have been provided at TYMR for handicapped people (at entrance and also ticket counter). Way to go, SR!

For further reports, please refer the menu on to the left side of the page. This report continues at Hanging out at Madras Beach. Thanks for a patient reading!