March of the electrics - AJJ invades TVC

Once upon a time, train number 39, called Brindavan express used to pull out of Madras Central hauled by a WP steam locomotive. Brindavan used to have the pride of place back then (some will argue, not incorrectly, even today). Here is an interesting speech that mentions Brindavan express, among others. This WP was then based out of Arakkonam (AJJ) shed.

Pic above: Madurai bound Vaigai serviced by Erode WAP-4 till Villupuram. Will it go all the way in the future?

Then came the diesels. 1965 or '66 saw diesel traction taking over from steam on most major trains out of Central. SR homed most of these diesels in Krishnarajapuram (KJM), a Bangalore suburb, and Erode. For a while, diesels ruled the roost here, and of course, our Mr. 39 used diesel power (from Waltair -WAT) with good results '65 onwards. People, they say, could set their watch with Brindavan arriving at Central.

The eighties saw the advent of the electrics. Ever since, they have been marching relentlessly, conquering new territory every year, much to the dismay of the Diesel lovers. This year was no exception to this trend. Anyway, I will come to the present presently.

Mr. 39 took an electric out of Central in the eighties. These electrics had found a home at AJJ, finally displacing those mighty elegant steamers. It was the beginning of a new era. Mr. 39's electric hauled the train till Katpadi, then Jolarpettai (JTJ), to the accompaniment of the famous twin tones of the WAMx locomotives. Diesel still ruled the territory beyond JTJ, but not for long. It was like the floodgates of Mettur dam had been forced open. The electrics expanded their territory ruthlessly, and the nineties saw complete electric traction till Bangalore. Mr. 39 came fully under electric supervision.

Alas, it did not stop there. Beyond JTJ, the Coimbatore line was the next prey, and soon Salem and Erode fell to electric power. So much so that the electrics decided to establish a camp at Erode, to rival, and eventually replace its famed Diesel shed. It has not happened yet, and for Diesel enthusiasts, hopefully will not. After consolidating their hold over Erode, eventually populating it with the largest fleet of the (then) latest WAP-4 and WAG-7 locomotives, which hauled the most important trains over SR, these folks decided to press on with their campaign. With Bangalore having fallen, the remaining interesting places were Coimbatore and Ernakulam. These fell soon after, and soon, Shoranur and Trivandrum too came under wires. India's longest-distance daily express train, the Kerala Express was now consigned to the capable hands of Erode's pride of electrics, end to end. Victory for the electrics! The period of expansion is complete.

Or so you thought! The next battle is taking place all the way back in the electric bastion of Madras. Egmore is the new frontier, with AJJ now marshalling its troops towards Villupuram, prying as many trains as possible from the reluctant Diesel stained hands of Golden Rock (GOC) and Erode. Now that Villupuram and Pondicherry are under wires, AJJ is eyeing the territory beyond to Tiruchi and Madurai, and maybe, just maybe Nagercoil and Trivandrum. Will that happen? Let us wait and watch.

Pic: Madurai still deep in Diesel territory, but for how long? WDP-2 hauled Koodal express at Madurai Jn.

I for one, would still want some Diesel action on the southern line, and hope that electrics do not proceed beyond. Much as I love electrics, I also feel the need for some variety. With innumerable WAPx at Basin Bridge, one does want some change at Egmore. Also, the Madurai bound line is single, and there is not much goods traffic, and so electrification would not possibly justify the investment. But there is already news of feasibility studies being conducted, and maybe political pressure might come into play too. It will certainly be boring in Madras if and when the diesels are sent packing!

Will AJJ invade TVC? It already has, through the main route, and I hope not the other route too.

Acknowledgement: Thanks to Mr. V. Anand for coincidentally providing some nuggets of Brindavan Express history on IRFCA.