Tambaram-Rameswaram by Sethu Express

Trip Report: Tambaram-Rameswaram by 6713 Sethu Express
Date: May 1, 2004

It was a bright sunny morning as I woke up on the 1st of May, and the only thing that occupied my mind then was the trip on an MG train lasting around 18 hours!! It was going to be the longest trip for me on any MG train, and I certainly looked forward to it like any good IRFCAN :)))

We reached Tambaram (TBM) around 12 noon, leaving me with plenty of time for some local train spotting, as 6713 departed only at 1300. I had loaded my camera in anticipation of some good rail photos, my first such experiment. I had planned on catching two main things at TBM: the old YCG-1 which had been plinthed at the entrance of TBM station, and the WAP4 hauled 2635 Vaigai Express bound for Madurai (MDU), which was scheduled to arrive at 1250. After dumping the luggage in my coach, I set off seeking my targets. However, I was in for a disappointment. The YCG1 was no longer to be seen anywhere!!! I searched and searched, but to no avail. What a nice start indeed!! However, no disappointment would last for anyone, when they had something like the WAP4 to look forward to! Same with me, for the WAP4, which is incidentally my favourite machine, has never ceased to amaze me. What a beast!!!! Amazing, Amazing, and of course, looking so reliable!

I made my way back into the station, only to see a coal freighter hauled by a WAG7 passing through TBM towards Chengalpet (CGL). I could not see the number, which I knew would be of use to our veteran Rabibrata :))). Anyway, I told myself I would catch the loco before Villupuram (VM), as that was the last of electric territory on this route. I then positioned myself on the foot over bridge, facing the Sanatorium (It should be Sanitarium, actually) end of the station, waiting for the beast, which was expected to arrive at 1250. However, I thought things would be a bit too close, as Vaigai did not arrive till 1255 and my train was leaving in 5 min!! I rushed back to my train, getting a nice scolding from my worried parents :)). As soon as I occupied my window seat (lucky, am I not ;)))), I looked toward platform 8, and what did I see, but the number 22381!! It was a WAP4, no doubt with the Vaigai!! I knew that since 2635 was late by 10 odd min, it would certainly overtake us!!! A BG electric overtaking a puny MG electric!! What a scene it would make.....

Anyway, 6713 left at 1300 sharp, led by the puny little 21914 YAM1 of TBM (where else :)) with a small 14 coach load (1 FC, 1 2A, 2 SLR, 2 II, and 8 SL coaches). We pulled out of TBM and I looked back, only to see the WAP4 led 2635 following us!! My guess was right!! I promptly left my seat and made my way to the door, and saw the incredible pull of the P4. It came bearing upon our tiny rake (in comparison!!). The 22381 ED WAP4 had a load of 16 coaches (2 SLR, 2 II (unre.), 1 2A chair car, 1 CC, and 10 Second sitting coaches). Needless to say, Vaigai overtook us, though at a slow pace. There were four people in the P4 cab (2 in each). Seemed to be some training session.

By then the YAM1 decided to show what a fine fellow he was, saying that two people can play ball. He aggressively notched up, touching 72 kmph in no time. Alas, 75kmph was the MPS for the MG rake, and so the BG brute won the race. I was constantly looking out of my window, and could see the Vaigai ahead. So he was not going very fast either. 6713 was maintaining a constant 72 kmph, and what happened? At Urapakkam, we overtook Vaigai!!! It was held up at a red signal (no doubt due to the WAG7 freighter that had gone ahead). I mumbled my thanks to the WAG7, as I was witnessing a keen tussle between the li’l old YAM1 and the big brute WAP4!! 6713 maintained the speed constantly and things were quiet for a while. After sometime, I grew restless...where was Vaigai? And I could look ahead only, in the direction of motion, or had to turn my neck to see behind. So, I told my sister to tell me if the 'perisu' (meaning big one) came from behind, as she faced the back of the train. No sooner had I finished telling this, I heard the typical whining of the WAP4 motors, and sure enough, he came from behind. Sounding a long burst of the horn, the Vaigai majestically pulled past us, doing around 90 kmph and accelerating!!! What a sight!! Soon, he went ahead, no more to be seen. Soon we reached Chengalpattu (CGL) at 1335, 5 min before time. On the way, some further sightings:

23771 WAG 5 hauled NMG rake passed us towards TBM (AJJ loco I think)
27126 WAG 7 of AJNI was the coal freighter (which caused the magnificent race!!)

Some spottings at CGL:
2040 YDM 2 (????) coupled to TPJ CGL Pass.
21920 YAM 1 was being coupled to an oil tanker rake (with lot of hammering)
A UNIMAT machine made by Plasser India

We pulled out of CGL and hardly 5 min had passed, i.e. at 1350, when I heard a WAP 4 sound. This time it was the 2636 MDU MS Vaigai (very very late). The power was 22244 from ED. Soon we were back doing 72kmph, but then had to slow to around 60 kmph, reaching…

Madurantakam (MMK) at 1420 (10 min late)
Melmaruvathur (MLMR) at 1440 (10 min late)
Tindivanam (TMV) 1520 (20 min late)

Till then there was absolutely no activity on the BG line, making me wonder whether this line was really the highest passenger revenue generator for SR!!! Everything seemed so sleepy....Except one incident after Melmaruvathur, when our chief decided to race a public transport bus going our direction on the parallel NH 45. For some time the bus seemed to win, but not till YAM1 showed what an electric loco is capable of. Soon, we easily pulled past and were tearing down the tracks (in MG terms), until a speed restriction cropped up suddenly. :(( The bus obviously made off, much to my chagrin. I always hate it when a bus overtakes a train, even if I am travelling in the bus :)).

Only at 1525 (just outside TMV) did I see another train on the BG line. This time it was the Pondicherry-Tirupati (TPTY) passenger led by 18699-R WDM2 of GOC. Another thing I observed: at KM 133 from MS (or MSB??) is a neutral section. Also another such section just outside TBM towards Vandalur (so is that a neutral section every 100 km or so??). Soon, we pulled into a loop line (KM 135) to let the YAM1 21922 hauled 6854 Cholan Express bound for TBM cross. As we approached VM, the BG line seemed to wake up a bit, as two trains passed in quick succession: 18362 GOC WDM2A led the Trichy (TPJ)-TPTY special, and the 22232 ED WAP4 with the Pondy-MS passenger (this I presume would have been the loco for the 2631 Nellai that night, bound from MS). We reached VM at 1630 (5 min late-slack time??).

Some sightings here:
18694-R GOC WDM 2-I would be seeing this chap in a few days' time.
21919 YAM 1
22381 ED WAP4 (of Vaigai fame) (it was WAP4's day out in MS-VM, for I did not see a single WAM4 that day)
6139 YDM 4A
18597 GOC WDM 2A (14 days schedule loco)
6138 YDM 4 (All YDMs here belong to GOC)

Our diesel power was to be 6133 YDM 4A SHF. So, after some 7 years was I travelling by a MG diesel....wasn't I looking forward to it!! We pulled out of VM at 1645 and just as the tracks to TPJ and Cuddalore (CUPJ) diverge, an ED WDM2 18537 went past towards VM with a goods rake...the first ED diesel of the day.....and of course the last, for I was entering fully MG territory. The diesel (YDM) put up a decent show, though he couldn't match the YAM1 due to many speed restrictions. One thing I observed was the slower pickup, which, even my sister noticed...We passed through a station called Thiruppadrippuliyur, whose code is CUD!!!!! Another example of IR's sense of humour at work, isn't it? 6713 Schedule:

Cuddalore Port Junction (CUPJ) 1805 (25 min late)
Chidambaram (CDM) 1915 (45 min late)
Mayiladuthurai Jn. (MV) 2010 (40 min late)

Some sightings on the way: 6149 YDM 4A, 6225 YDM 4 at CUPJ; 6531 YDM 4 at MV.

At MV, I saw the rake of the 6854 Kumbakonam-Tambaram Cholan Exp. It had one coach labelled SC!! An orphan SCR coach, with no way to make it back to its parent zone, as all the routes linking SR and SCR are now BG!!!

We crossed Thiruvarur Jn. at 2130 (50 min late), where I saw 6137 YDM4. After Tiruvarur, I decided to hit the sack partly because the journey had become a bit dull and also I wanted to wake up early to catch the last leg to Rameswaram (RMM). However, I can't sleep much on a train, and I woke up at 2200. The train had stopped somewhere. Suddenly, I saw a huge flare next to my coach. Looking out, I saw a person standing in a separate enclosure holding a long burning stick on one hand and a token on the other....a token pass!!! My first such experience, that too in the dark! I suppose the flare was to signal the location of the token to the passing train. Soon a passenger train led by 6277 YDM4 came on that line (which incidentally was the loop line, so low speed), and the token was exchanged. The burning stick was stuck into a hole next to the enclosure and the flame promptly got doused. The fellow then calmly walked to the SM, who turned some machine in his office which gave him a token, which he tied up in the key and gave to our loco pilot. Only then did out train start....such a laidback and slow approach!!!! I could not help comparing the system in newer block sections and this one.....dating back some 50 (???) years.

Another break from sleep: Thiruthuraipoondi Jn. (from where a line branches off to Vedaranyam)... I saw a board on the pf saying MG Railbus....is there such a service here....from where to where??

We reached Ramanathapuram (RMD) at 0530 (40 min late). I woke up here, and after the customary morning kapeeee....kapeee, chaaya...chaaya here, I was back in business. 6713 maintained a constant speed of around 50 kmph and we were passing through lush (and I mean lush) scenery. For it was raining and all around I could see only green. I positioned myself at the door and could see all green mixed occasionally with black (from the loco:))). No people around, no villages, only green land, dotted with windmills and a lonely parallel NH 49 to keep company here. The train had mostly emptied at RMD. Amongst all of these was our loco blowing its two tones regularly (not necessarily at W/L sign locations)...he kept up the rhythm oooooooo-oo, oooooooo-oo. What a wonderful noise, that too early in the morning!!! Probably he realised that there was a passenger in his train appreciating his musical! Contrast this with the silent performance of the YAM1!!! Soon, after crossing Mandapam station, we reached the high point of this route.....the Pamban bridge. Labelled Pamban Viaduct in railway parlance, the train slowly chugs on the bridge with the customary ta dan-ta dan, of any bridge, except that this bridge is right on the sea!! I could see the horizon on the Palk Strait on one side, and the road bridge above us on the other side....what a wonderful sight!!! Soon, we passed through the part which opens to let ships pass and then we reached Rameswaram Island....25 min on the bridge. We passed through Pamban R.S. which was still sleepy and went 15 km to reach RMM at 0645 (5 min before time!!!). Quite a lot of slack time between RMD and RMM (1hr 55 min for a dist. of 45 km).

I had to get down here :((( as this was the last stop. However, I was happy that I had travelled on an MG line which along with the Pamban bridge would become BG, resulting in either modifying the present bridge or building a new one.....I would recommend this trip for all rail fans, especially the early morning bridge crossing by Sethu exp....a really wonderful experience indeed!!!

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