A short trip report:
It was a clear monsoon morning. 5:30 a.m. and it was already quite bright outside. I pulled up the Konkan Railway train position site and had a look at different trains heading down towards Mangalore. All were running pretty much on time. It's 6:20 a.m. as I left home for Mangalore Junction station. 6:25 a.m., I was walking across the foot overbridge after buying a ticket to Udupi. The Passenger to Madgaon was expected to arrive shortly and as usual, there were many passengers waiting to board the train. 6:36 a.m., the passenger arrives and a ERS WDM3A is the power. I'm not amused. I board the second last coach and wait for the train's departure. We wait...
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for quite a long time since a freight has left Thokur towards SWR. Meanwhile, the star of the day, 11098 Purna Express arrives from Ernakulam on Platform #1. Why is it being referred to as the star? That's because it's being powered by an offlink KJM WDP4! Soon, our train departs and enters Konkan Railway. No crossings enroute and the train arrives at Innanje on time. I get off here and wait for another railfan, Mr.Sumath from Udupi to arrive on his bike. The station is located in the middle of a dense jungle inhabited by Leopards. I'm the lone human out there along with a few different birds chirping their hearts out after the train leaves. 15 minutes pass by and I hear the sound of a bike's engine. I know it's Sumanth. At the same time, a honk is heard at a distance. I hurry towards one end of the station and take position. Meanwhile, the other railfan has also reached the station. I signal him to take position as well. Soon, the WDP4 monster thunders past my camera with the Poorna Express, a couple of hello toots are also exchanged....
Here's the video: click here
More to come soon...