Rail fanning at Salem Jn

Last Monday(23rd feb) night, I was in Salem junction to catch that day's 6525 island.With full two hours for its arrival, It was a galore of WAP4s, Super fasts, announcements and all about trains,

*After getting the UR ticket at 23.40, I entered the PF2 to see the legendary “Blue Mountain” powered by RPM WAP4 22820.In fact this is my first sighting of a royapuram loco and I believe all P4s of RPM are transferred from AJJ alone. I was taken aback by surprise when I read the destination boards as “Chennai-Coimbatore”. * Then 14081 WDM3A of ERS (ACD fitted) pulled 6232 MYS-MV express into PF2 at 23.55.It was moderately crowded.

*The crowd in the platform was quite high with majority from other states. I could hear more hindi and kannada rather than tamil.

*Continuous announcements were made for the arrival of 2602 Mail which entered PF1 at 00.05 being led by 22359 WAP4 of ED. There were no markings in Tamil in the destination board at the rear end( Guard cum parcel van?).

*Then 2623 Trivandrum mail entered PF 2 exactly at 00.15 and the power was 22647 WAP4 of AJJ.

* There was a running male voice in PA system as if he had the task of catching the same train after announcing it. Though it was clear, it was very fast.

*In the meantime, there were announcement regarding the arrival of 6309 ERS-PATNA express.6309 promptly entered PF1 at 00.20 and the monster in charge was 22775 WAP4 of RPM. To the best of my eye-sight, I didn’t see any logo for RPM locos or is it there? Most of the crowd in the platform embarked into this train towards lalu’s homeland.

*Then entered the 6527 YPR-CAN express being pulled by 14024 WDM3A of KJM into PF3 at 00.30.This is the first time, I’m seeing a 3100 hp loco from KJM shed.An inspection car was parked in the little bay between PF1 and 2.

*6042 Allepey-MAS express then arrived at PF1 at 00.35, powered by 22696 Wappie of Arakkonam shed.

*Amenities in the station needs to be improved but at the sametime, the cleanliness should be lauded.

* Then 2601 Mail and 6231 MV-MYS express simultaneously entered PF 2 and PF1 respectively at 00.50.The former was pulled by 22617 WAP4 of AJJ while the ED WDM3D 11223 was in charge of the latter.6231 had markings wrongly as Mysore-Mayiladuthurai express instead of the vice-versa.

*The PA system then proclaimed the arrival of Majestic cheran (Chennai bound) at 01.10 and ED WAP4 22269 in its typical red livery was assigned to it.

*I checked the running status of my 6525 in the information kiosk on a regular basis which was on time till erode.

*Again I had this opportunity to view two trains entering simultaneously albeit from opposite sides. First mysore bound 6731 in PF1 hauled by 14030 WDM3A from Ernakulam shed at 01.25 and then 0619 MAS-NCJ summer spl by 27030 WAG7 of GMO shed. For a moment, anxiety went all over my nerves as I misread G with P in the distance.

*I witnessed a set of coaches attached to 16586 loco which seemed to be belonging to WDMx category in the dead end of the station.

*Then arrived the famous 2671 MTP bound nilagiri in PF2 at 01.35 with 22716 AJJ WAP4 in the lead.

*It seemed to be a general thumb rule that trains towards DPJ/JTJ were admitted in PF1 and those going towards erode in PF2.Only the mails were halted for more than 5 minutes while other trains were given the starter quickly.

*Finally, yes finally my 6525 slowly gained access to PF1 at 01.40 with a short toot and a delay of 20 minutes. 22693 WAP4 of AJJ was given the responsibility to take us all the way till SBC.I entered the front UR coach. The crowd was comparatively less and my goodness, we need to learn about “Ergonomics” from the people who often commute in UR coaches in Indian Railway, Each and every available space was occupied by a pair of crippled legs(No offence though),a bent body, a tilted head. It’s worth to note the famous English proverb of “Be a roman in Rome” and I too joined their bandwagon very soon.

*As the line to Dharmapuri deviated from us, 6041 hauled by 22828 WAP4 whizzed past us but couldn’t note the shed which it belongs to. Later i came to know that it is a newbie of RPM shed.

*Quickly tiredness occupied me and I was left with only one choice i.e to sleep. I wake up again when a huge crowd boarded our train at BWT and the clock was ticking at 04.30.I then got down at whitefield at 05.20.

Thanks for your patient reading…!!!!