On a fine day in 2020, when the world was still blissfully unaware of the impending lockdown, we got an invitation for a wedding at our friend's home, Jodhpur.

We made some last-minute plans and decided to book tickets as a connecting journey as direct trains weren't available. From AF-JP, we decided on the AF-AII ICE, and after a few hours of layover at JP, we were going to take the Mandore Express, where another friend was joining us from Delhi.
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I was busy with something, so another friend of mine booked the tickets, and I was surprised that we got CNF window seats at such short notice. Good for us. So, another trip to Rajasthan, what could go wrong. On the day of the journey, we reached Agra Fort, and we got to know what all could go wrong, something we didn't even slightly imagine.

We boarded the C1 and started placing our luggage on the luggage rack. It was the center seat, and we had ordered from Domino's. Pretty chill friends trip. Except for the fact that after a few minutes, a family boarded and told us that we were in their seats. No, ma'am, we have the tickets. Look at them. Yeah, C1, but same seats, same day. I, being the master of sweet talk, persuaded them to leave us alone and talk to the TTE about this discrepancy. Everything sorted out.

And then I asked my friend to show me the ticket. Nothing seemed wrong until I saw the month of travel. In haste, my friend had booked the tickets for 18th March, which was exactly a month ahead of the day we were sitting on the train. So, I told everyone to calm down and went to that family who were still beating their heads over their ticket. I told them that we didn't check the refreshed status of our tickets, and we were allotted seats in the C2 coach. Apologized to them for the discrepancy and deboarded the coach.

Outside, all three of us gave the scolding of a lifetime to our friend who booked the ticket. But there still was an issue, how to reach Jaipur. After all, all the shopping and makeovers shouldn't go to waste, right. They checked, and there weren't any trains taking us to Jaipur with enough buffer for Mandore. I asked everyone to calm down and let the expert do the work. I checked, and luckily, 4 seats got available in current in the 2S of same train.

What else could we do? Let it be 2S for a few hours. First disappointment, bench type seats, no issues, there wasn't much of a crowd. Then came the second disappointment after the train entered Rajasthan, 2S became the GS and we had to adjust a lot more people on our seats, because that's what good samaritans do, not that we had another choice. Only relief being that due to our lady friends, the crowd was much well behaved in our cubicle than rest of the coach.

Anyway, the journey went a lot better than expected, we got a lot of laughs over the incident that happened earlier that day, even my mother joked about it after the initial scoldings over the phone. Got to talk to a lot of Rajasthani people, and it was fun. We deboarded at JP and took a stroll through the Bazars of Jaipur. We also went inside to take a look at the interiors of JP Double Decker as it was our first time seeing a Double Decker train.

After a well-deserved rest, we went on the PFs to board our next train. Well, we were waiting on the PF when the HWH-JU arrived, and looking at the empty coaches, it struck our minds that we could've got CNF seats despite the WL during bookings. And as the train departed, like a wave of regret, a wave of water soaked me. Have I told that we took the journey in February, and it was still a chilly weather outside. Some lazy waterman left the pipe watering connected, and it came out with pressure when the train departed.

You may think that here ends the string of mishappenings. But lady luck still had a last mischief up her sleeves. This second ticket was booked by our friend who was coming from Delhi to have all the seats together. Just that he forgot to tell us a crucial piece of information. Since 3AC had WL status, he booked in SL because how could five college kids afford 2AC tickets that were available. As soon as the train moved, it felt as if we were traveling through Siberia.

No one had brought blankets, well, except for me. I brought two, and the perk of being 6 feet tall, my jackets could be used as blankets. Now, who is laughing for over-packing stuff. The rest of the journey was uneventful. We enjoyed an almost empty SL coach, a beautiful sunrise, and the scenic beauty Rajasthan has to offer.

After the celebrations, roaming around the streets of Jodhpur and a great hospitality, we returned. Yeah, you guessed it, in the JU-HWH Express. Although we had to book the tickets via the HQ quota, the onward journey experience was enough adventure for us. Needless to say, I slept all the way back and woke up only at ETW.

So, this was my journey to the blue city which had enough twists and turns to tell it apart from the plain, regular train journeys and give it a special place in the section called 'Travelogues'.

Kumud.

The traffic was scanty being a holiday and a relaxed cab travel, coming close to the railway station end marking end of the Holidays. Envying the BRTS taking the flyover , waiting for the day to take a journey by same , went past the route only to be stuck a kilometer before the station , courteousy the independence day celebration

After a lunch at Basaveshwara Khanavali, reached the station at 125PM , with a parallel run with a LHB rake of SWR, the 16533 Jodhpur Bangalore via Guntakal express . Settling...
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the cab driver , walked into the SWR HQ station , the rake of 12080 stationed on PF-2 covered by the Dharwad Bangalore Vande Bharat making a PF-1 entry , as I cursed the newbie for getting priority over the JS onto PF-1

Walked to PF-2 and settled down in the C2 coach, the last but one coach of the rake . Availablity revealed the train was 60% occupied , being a beginning of long weekend holiday . When people were planning to leave City, we are headed in opposite into the City

The VB quickly left and time ticked , as we waited for our schedule time. 16533 rake was sleeping on PF-3, having a scheduled departure behind us and having almost 40 mins to kill arriving ahead of schedule . It would be past midnight but not early morning when he would reach Bangalore. These long distance schedules are in need for a rewamp

The 11006 from Pondicherry to Dadar pulled into PF-1 at 1405 hrs and we too got the departure signal . Slowly pulled out , as the Chalukya rake ended , the terminal PF's showed of PF-6 and 7 showed up and PF-1 slowly extended into PF-8 , making it the longest platform . The rake of SC-UBL-DR was stationed on PF-8, not sure which rake it was working then

The initial runs were quite slow, a light drizzle in afternoon sun , and view of full trains as we approached the curves . The MPS didn't cross past 90 as the stations were dispatched soon .

A quick stop go at Haveri , a before time of 4 mins at Ranebennnur and I got into the PF for a quick stretch of legs with Dad. Both C1 and C2 seemed to be from consist of 12028 with Tamilnadu tourism ads behind all the seats . Bamban Bridge Rameshwaram was the highlight , as P got replaced by B . The line seemed to had a incline towards the PF, with the door failling to stay open A shrill whistle from the guard and we were back into the AC confines

A quick run again and across the Tungabhadra bridge for a halt at Harihara , followed by another quick halt at Davangere, 143 kms covered in 2 hrs 10 mins run , a slight before time . The AC in meanwhile showed it's full form and with unfilled occupancy , sent us into freezing mode

A quick departure from Davangere and we were back into full form now, speeds touching past 100. A flurry of Blue AC coaches indicated the Palace queen Humsafar bound to Udaipur crossing us equal speed . The line from Chitradurga joined us soon and we approached Chikkajajur and pulled out . The DCBA halt as started for us, an interesting one for this train

A quick cross with the Siddhaganga express bound to Dharwad . Soon we crossed the High sulphur diesel station (HSD- Hosadurga road ) . The sun and clouds played hide and seek , as we approached towards the hillly borderline , the clouds seemed to have opened up on the hills with the cloudline marked by a thick blanket extending over it .


The flyover over the line and a line from Shimoga joined us soon from right , indicating arrival into Birur junction at 545PM, delayed by few minutes . A quick run took us into Kadur where the Vasco bound 17309 was having scheduled halt. The Talaguppa bound superfast crossed us soon following the 17309


Time ticked soon and as we slowed down for next stop , approaching Arasikere . The scheduled crew change halt and a craving to have a light snack , approached the doorn, just to spot a vendor selling thatte idly . Collected 1 plate of thatte idly vade, increasing it to 2 & 3, just as dad approached from the other door to catch the 3rd plate filed with chutney . Idly was warn, chutney tasty and vade though cold was still crisp and not rubberish

A quick run past Tiptur, darkness sets in and flurry of lights and darkness indicates approaching stations and crossing . A few slow runs and pickups we arrive into PF-2 of Tumkur at 1940 hrs , as PF-1 is occupied by the 11021 Tirunelveli bound Chalukya cooling it's slack for an hour and waiting for us to take lead. God knows when they going to speed up this train involving multiple zone despatch and acceptances .

A blasting run and expected a slowdown at Chikkabanavara , but it was a glide through the station to reach the Yeshvantapur byepass at 2030 hours . Waiting for clearance, as a diesel hauled 16545 bound to Sindhanur accelerated past us , right to give us clearance to arrive into YPR PF-3 at 2035 hours , an exact 6 hrs 30 mins run for the 464 kms

PF-2 had the overcrowded rake of 11312 bound to Kalburagi , PF-1 with the 12257 bound to Kochuveli . The station was pretty bustling at the moment with continuous announcement. A ICF rake was pulled out from the pit between PF-3 & 4 towards SBC end . 16576 from MAJN pulled in giving a parallel run to the moving rake onto PF-4

12257 left quickly and followed by 11312 and we still waited . Thought we should leave sooner as 20653 will be leaving , but we were put on hold . PF-6 display showed 06545 BJP express and announcement went for 20653 arriving on PF-2 shortly , as clock ticked to 2105 hours

By luck would have had it, 20653 had a late departure and arrived into PF-2 at 2117 hours and we got the starter as soon as the loco crossed us , a 37 mins halt at YPR after a blasting line

A quick line on the opposite line of the twin single line , and annon stop run , puled into PF-10 of SBC, as announcement went for 16592 arriving onto PF-10 and 16511 to Kannur waiting for scheduled departure on PF-9

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Can we continue the call for another 10 mins , asked the partner , as clock ticked to 5PM. Quick call sir , I have to leave and finish lunch as well . Very quickly the conclusion matters were discussed and closed as clock ticked to 510PM, with my mom calling continuously on WhatsApp whether I have started . 5 to 10 mins I messaged , as they were already half the way through

A quick booking through uber and a 3 mins wait and auto was already there . A quick...
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run through Saturday traffic to the back gate . 1st time understood that the ramp connected into the station from the new flyover , instead of taking a U turn as earlier and 30 mins of boarding the auto recahed the back gate of KSR SBC as mobile called from mom ,

We have already reached PF-10 with luggage , you have coffee and come . We have got dosa for your lunch my mom said . Had a coffee at the entrance watching the display board

12786 had already arrived on PF-5 . 16595 was not in display and neither on PF. A MEMU had arrived from YPR end was standing on PF-8, ready to leave as Hindupur MEMU . 16232 was still showing as Mayiladuthurai express in display board


Took the ramp to reach PF-10 while my aunt and uncle came in opposite . Hi they said . Why use ramp when you can use trolley ramp at PF end I asked. Ok we will come back in that post coffee I said and went to the PF

Here have set dosa , told my dad handing over a packet . Put it in plate and filled with sagu. A packet of pakoda was also taken. The dosa was pretty sour , but with saagu managed to finish 2 of the 3 as Hindupur MEMU left from PF-8. A DMU took its position soon, to leave shortly as Kolar DMU . 16595 and 16511 were reported cancelled , following the landslip in the ghat section


Rake of 22691 Rajdhani was standing in the pit , with the staff cleaning up and arranging the coach accessories to start the evening . A WDP4B pulled into PF-10 with the ICF rake of Channapatna Bangalore passenger , to leave as Arasikere passenger shortly . Left after 10 mins halt with coaches full to seating but not standees

Mysore bound Chamundi express soon left from PF-6 as clock ticket to 1820 hours . Soon announcement was made for the 16535 to enter and KJM WAP-7 bought in the train on dot 1825 hours onto PF-10. No trolling , no held ups today thought to myself as the LHB rake was pulled in

Boarded the B3 coach. For lower berth sake had booked 2 tickets under senior citizen quota and 4 under regular quota resulting in 3 LB, 1 SL, 1 MB and 1 UB

The cooling was perfect , slightly high and at 1835 hours we started on dot . The coach was slightly empty , with about 10 berths vacant in our coach as per chart . A slow run for 10 mins, and weslowly pulled into PF-3 of YPR as 22688 Varanasi Mysore express pulled out of PF-2 . PF-1 was occupied by the 16571 Bidar express , fully packed with the weekend crowd in the UR and SL full

A quick stop halt go , and we exited YPR and picked up pace pretty quickly . At YPR outer , the Dharwad Bangalore Vande Bharat whiZed past , as we gained speed, but I was sure that speed won't last long . The Hassan Solapur express 11312 quickly went past behind the Vande Bharat

The passenger ahead would get clearance ahead us , and as expected , we quickly came to unofficial halt at Doddbele for passenger to clear the halt ahead . The next 2 stops were trotted past quickly , before coming to a halt again at Nidvanda and Dobbspet for the pass ahead . The same repeated at Kyatsandra and right at Tumkur outer , the 12080 Jan shatabdi whizzed past us towards Bangalore

Puducherry bound 11021 Chalukya express was on PF-1, the general half filled and sleeper full . The Arasikere passenger was looped here for overtake on PF-4 as we were on PF-3 . Left soon after a 2 min halt

Time ticked close to 8PM and time for dinner , and confines of AC couldn't spot much activities outside. The dinner was served then had and the time by then had passed quickly. A quick stop go at Tiptur just as we finished dinner . The stream of lights across the tracks wass blocked by regular freights blasting past us, giving an impression of lights flickering rather than train crossing

A quick run and at 2110 hours arrived into PF-2 of ASK. The Chennai Central bound 12692 weekly from Shimoga was stationed here on PF-1 , delayed by about 2 hours . The sleeper was about 50% occupied but UR was sparsely full. Announcement was made for the Mangalore Vijayapura express , short originating from Hassan owing to the landslide

A long stop for crew change and we were off again . In meantime the UB was exchanged for another LB, leaving an odd MB for me to take for the night . The 16209 Ajmer Mysore express closely followed the Chennai express .

A quick run and we slowly pulled into Kadur main line after about 25 mins run . The Shimoga bound DMU from Tumkur was ahead of us and we waited for it to clear the block ahead . A couple who had to deboard at Birur and head off to Chikmaglur took it as an opportunity to get off at unscheduled halt. After 3 mins we left and arrived Birur junction where few more people got off the train

It was time for us to sleep and laid down the berths to sleep . The sleeper took over me quickly as I reminded mom, dad and aunt to keep alarm at 415AM for getting off at scheduled arrival of 440 at Badami .

Woke up in middle of the night to find us standing at a station. Hubbali junction indicated WIMT as announcement went on that 16535 was on PF-4. Time was 135AM, a 20 mins before time arrival and a sharp 7 hours run from Bangalore for the 470 kms . Turned and tossed in bed for some time as we got clearance to proceed at 210AM and sleep took over me as we crossed the Hubbali yard and curved left

A good sleep later woke up to see clock ticking to 415AM and about 10 kms to Hole Alur . Checked for crossing with 17320 and he had already reached Gadag .


Woke up my parents aunt asking them to get ready slowly . Hole alur was quickly crossed and sharp 440AM arrived at Badami station in a very dimly lit PF-2 . There were works happening all across PF and PF-2 exit was blocked , as all passenger made a jump across tracks to PF-1, while we went back to stair case to climb over to PF-1 and slowly moved out of station . The auto stand was also away from station owing to station works and we made our way to the sound of the gurgling autos with crew calling our "Banashankari" and "Badami bus stand " to the passengers , as our visit to the historical capital started


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Very happy to see that the forum is now again filled up with travelogues and shared railfaning experiences. It is a breath of fresh air to see that the IRI forum not being reduced to a platform for meaningless bickering and particularly a forum for complaining and disrespecting an entire region because a train got extended from your hometown, even if the train is a crawler and wasn't yours in the first place, it got extended from Varanasi !
We are ferroequinologists! Let's continue to enjoy those iron machines that are quite frankly indispensible to the modern style of life.
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while it is indeed very flattering to receive credit and inspiring so many of the present members to start sharing their railfanning and travel experiences, IRI has always been a platform where such write ups were commom. It is not a new trend rather an old and elegant character that I tried reminiscing while jotting my horrid experience while being on board the Ratna Superfast Express.
Credits to older members like PKV sir, Soumitra Sir and Zahwaib for inspiring me in my early years on this site.
Keep sharing your experiences guys, been loving everyone of them whether it was Kumund's vivid and clearly recollected travelogue, or Piyush's recollection of the journey that took a surprising twist, or Saurabh sir's insight into the circa 2003 when he was an hopeful IIT aspirant, or even Gagan's concise yet perfectly visual recollection...
Disclaimer :- Tagging the aforementioned train and station was fully coincidental and had no objective to offend any particular railway community and shouldn't be interpreted as such....
Signing off guys...
Arnab