The Prestigious Mail

If trains are special, 12657/58 mail is also unique for the fact that under normal circumstances, they don’t get a glimpse of the daylight. Guess the mail is the lone train to achieve such a rare distinction in southern region.

Initially we had booked in 12692 and the waiting list moved from 190 to 60 just three days before the date of journey. But as a matter of risk aversion, my friend sought the help of a booking agency and we finally ended up in getting tickets in the legendary mail. Of course, I was happy to go all the way till SBC rather than catching 12692 at KJM but my friends’ reaction was otherwise.

It was the journey day and we reached Majestic at 22.00 due to the insipid attitude of the driver of BMTC Volvo which ferried us all the way till the bus stand. It was complete chaos at majestic with hundreds of buses trying to get in and go out at the same time and the metro construction works added salt to the injury. We took the FOB followed by subway and in the next 5 minutes, we’re passing through the counters for unreserved tickets where the queue was standing till the horizon. For some known reasons, there was a satirical smile on my face. We procured some dinner to nullify our growing appetite.

The digital display boards were showing the arrival of 12027 SBC Shatabdi at 22.30, 56234 MYS-SBC Pass at 22.30 and 12647 Kongu to NZM at 23.15. The track of PF1 was waiting for the appearance of unoccupied rake of 12658 so as the thousands of passengers with drooped shoulders on the platform. Three diesel beauties from KJM shed – WDM3D 11294, WDM2 16669, and WDM3A 18824 were positioned in the adjacent siding. Empty rake of ‘long-ago-arrived’ 12678 ERS-SBC superfast was found on PF2. 11013 express to CBE was waiting to depart from PF3 and the power for the day was ED WDM3D 11178. In the meantime, the rake of Chennai mail arrived in PF1. I had told my friends earlier that we’ll be bang on time at central considering the punctuality of this train. But then I changed my opinion after seeing the white beauty 30271 from LGD – “Nah, we’re going to reach MAS at least 20 minutes earlier. I swear”. Countdown in minutes started for our departure.

Surprise events then begged me.

A train with the name board ‘Bangalore - Patna’ (seems IR is not interested in traditional names. I don’t think any train carries the name as Bengalooru) was sneaking into PF5. For a moment I thought it might be the late running sangamitra but what puzzled me were the empty coaches and shunting by WDM2 18502 (KJM?) into the platform. Meanwhile 12027 arrived at 22.40.

We’re given the signal to depart at 22.45. Apparently the mail seemed to have lost its charm with the U/R ticket holders getting asylum in SL coaches and the TTE/RPF didn’t try hard to vacate them at least till I was awake. Having said that, I missed the opportunity to enjoy the journey at the doorsteps. We blazed through the outskirts of Bangalore and halted at BNC where 12647 Kongu was waiting with WDM3A 18898 in the lead. Then my friend reminded me that we need to take dinner rather than catching the outside world through the window. It was then I felt the drastic hunger and the subsequent reactions in my stomach. For the next few minutes, we might have appeared as gobblers for the co-passengers. Never mind as long as they don’t ask a part of it.

Time for another surprise. We then slowed down before KJM. I thought it’ll be an usual thing to negotiate the curvy platform but astonishingly we came to standstill at KJM. There were raised eyebrows everywhere. People who were waiting for 12692 started to scramble. As I was occupying the window seat, most people came and asked me, “Is this Chennai express?” .I was too cautious in my reply, “No. This is Chennai mail. Train number 12658. Please check with your train number in the ticket”. Poor fellas. Between my friends gazed at me as if I’d set a trap for them. Their concern was – we stayed at hoodi, a place very nearer to KJM. We could have easily reached KJM without crawling through the city traffic, instead to fulfil my own whims and fancies; I brought them to city junction. Neither did I explain about the unscheduled halt nor about my impulse. Perhaps silence is the best solution well under most circumstances.I have always wanted the mail and shatabdi to stop at KJM. Else there would be no need for people like me to rely mostly on 12509 and 12291, both being non-dailies.

After the unscheduled halt, we departed in 2 minutes. Thereafter our big boss in the front cared only about his business. At WFD, we crossed a waggie led BOXN rake. I tried to overcome my slumberous mood but I gave up in the end. Tiredness engulfed me. When I woke up, we were in JTJ and the time was 10 minutes past one in the midnight. Amidst the darkness, my drowsy eyes found the WAP4 hauled CBE bound cheran in the adjacent platform. I then kept the alarm at 03.30 and succumbed to a more powerful snooze this time with the intention of watching the last leg of the marvellous ride.

But often we didn’t get what we craved for, isn’t it? I woke up at 04.15 and the train was stationary. Is it perambur? No a halt ahead of perambur. No idea of when we arrived central. 25 minutes ahead of schedule My presumption about our arrival at MAS went right. Huge chunk of crowd was moving along the platform and the PA was informing the arrived status of mail. I thought it was perhaps for the passengers sleeping inside the train.

We exited the central and were getting ready for a duel with the auto-wallahs to tackle the atrocious and exorbitant fare. After all, arrival at early morning is passenger’s Achilles heel and their boon.