Guys..This is my very first blog. In this blog, I would like to share some of my memories about my one day trip to Trivandrum Kochuveli.
It was an usual day and very fine weather prevailed in my town. The sun started to rise over the horizon at about 20 minutes past 6.
I had plans to travel to Kochuveli only after 6:45AM, after being confirmed that two new WAP-7's of RPM were coming to Thiruvananthapuram the same day. So I rushed to Nagercoil junction with my dad and got tickets with ease. The train was almost empty with just two of us in the coach.
As our 56318 Nagercoil Kochuveli passenger was ready for its on time departure, 17235 Bengaluru Nagercoil express makes a before time arrival at Nagercoil junction. Golden Rock's dual cab alco was resting at platform 1A.
The time was 7:55AM and starters were given for our train. Our train slowly began to move out of Nagercoil junction. Under the hot and humid weather, Erode WAP-4 22568 was resting...sorry was probably taking a sun bath.
We crossed Nagercoil town railway station and hence the true landscapes of Nagercoil was witnessed through our eyes. 365 days a year, one could only see the same typical scene, inspite of varying weather conditions.
We were into the journey for over an hour, and at Kulitturai we met the late running 56311 Thiruvananthapuram Nagercoil passenger lead by Erode's Dreamliner WDM-2 18787.
Apparently our train had made up loss of time, when it reached Trivandrum central bang on time. As we depart from Trivandrum, RPM's red beast WAP-4 22845 welcomes us.
I was looking for the purpose I went to Trivandrum and this milky white new beast RPM WAP-7 30417 was resting calmly. Our train made swiftly through the outskirts of Trivandrum towards Kollam side well above 100kmph.
We were to arrive at Kochuveli railway station shortly, as welcomed by Ernakulam's shunter WDS-6 36003.
The time was 10:55 AM and I initially thought that some freight train bound to Tirunelveli was about to pass, but to my surprise well before time running 12623 Chennai central Thiruvananthapuram SF mail with RPM WAP-7 30420 crossed me at MPS, despite the signal not being given !!
Another shot of the milky white RPM WAP-7 30420 with 12623 Thiruvananthapuram SF mail.
Finally the LP and the ALP came to know there were no starters given and applied brakes and all of a sudden the 24 coach CBC train had come to a screeching halt. The loco passed me at about 95+kmph while the 17th coach was standstill. This is what WAP-7's are known for.
Well...It was now time for some rest. I and my dad were having breakfast after 12623 departed Kochuveli. Suddenly an empty freight rake passed at MPS towards Tirunelveli.
The time ticked 11:20AM and starters were given towards Kollam side. I knew who was coming surely. It was the "Kerala King". Erode WAP-4 22766 with a fresh coat of paint leads the 12625 Trivandrum New Delhi Kerala Superfast express.
It was almost over for what I had come to Trivandrum. Starters were given for 56317 Kochuveli Nagercoil passenger and I found something interesting. A cute dog rests under the Garib Rath coach, to keep itself away from the scorching sun.
We were to join the mainline from loopline, but still the "Hardworker" from ERS shed, WDS-6 was busy shunting coaches into Kochuveli yard.
On arrival at Trivandrum electric loco trip shed, spotted this workhorse from Arakkonam named "JAWAHAR" WAP-1 22005 resting. WAP-7 30417 was not seen here :(
Our train steadily reached platform 1 of TVC and I spotted 30417 loco getting ready to be coupled to 12624 Thiruvananthapuram Chennai SF Mail shortly. Erode's red beast 22224 was also resting.
Well...I initially thought to shut down my cam and continue to Nagercoil, but out of the blue I did spot the rarest loco resting at TVC, that too a diesel EMD from Siliguri (NFR) shed.
The return journey was all good till Kulitturai, but we were held for the 56304 Kottayam bound passenger for over 10 minutes.
This is what this section is known for...Green...green and green :D :D
I was about to arrive Nagercoil junction shortly, I imaged this first ever overbridge of Nagercoil, "The Putheri Bridge".
We arrived at Nagercoil junction late by 10 minutes, but still our hero Erode WAP-4 22580 really did a wonderful job !! Hats off to that guy !
As the day came to an end, the moon began itself to take shape and here is the final shot of the day :D
Hope this blog was interesting you guys loved it :D
