The Baroda Broadway V

With the convention done, we made our way to the Vadodara railway station in batches. Of course, none of us ever wanted to leave but then, flights, trains and buses and the monday morning blues awaited us, and so off we went, like children who do not want to go back to school after a fun vacation.

As we entered the platform, the Okha Ernakulam Express pulled out and the Ramnagar Bandra Express came in. This was to be our Shatabdis first victim for the day.

A lot of delegates were on board the Shatabdi, and spread across all coaches. Anubhuti, EC, and CC. Abhilash Anna, Rakesh anna, Professor Ian Manning, Mani Vijay sir, PVS Praveen, Raghu Jayaraman sir, Poochi sir and many more were on this train and many delegates were on C4.

Soon, the WAP 4 Hauled Bandra Express left and the excitement increased amongst the delegates, for the Shatabdi was to come next and it arrived with a BRC WAP 7, HOG on. And as the loco pulled in, the delegates took out their cellphones and captured the loco, an all important ritual.

We settled into our coach and a Bit of drama ensued. As we were arranging our luggage on the overhead rack, a lady started shouting at us saying we were occupying the gangway. Abhilash Anna and Rakesh anna admonished her and she kept shooting dirty looks at us.

The train pulled out of BRC and Chechu maama went to doorplate, and the pantry attendant came by to serve a bottle of water.

The conversation in the coach turned to trains and we were eagerly awaiting the overtakes and MPS action, but there was a problem immediately. A CONCOR rake was ahead of us and we were being trolled by it. We passed by Vishwamitri and bid a fond farewell to Vadodara City.

The train slowly picked up speed and snacks were served. Kachori, cake, Sev from Haldiram, Juice and the chai

The talk in the coach, soon turned into trains and we were exchanging stories of various train journey, GC and many more and the passengers kept shooting bemused looks at us , a bunch of grown men, talking apparent gibberish.

Bandra bound Ramnagar Bandra Express OTed, we bow picked up speed and were doing MPS. 130 was done and this was hr fastest I had ever travelled in a train. The stations were simply a blur and we could barely make out the stations. The only notable stations we could make out were Bilimora, Miyagam Karjan due to the NG rolling stock. Miyagam Karjan was bustling on the NG side with a couple of trains getting to leave with the evening shuttles.

Now, the AC was not up to the mark and Rakesh anna sent out a tweet, and the matter was solved soon. The train superintendent came and apologized to him.

At dinner time, as I sat down in my seat, the gentleman next to me, enquired what sort of people were we who were keen on trains. I explained about IRFCA , BRC2018 and he seemed either impressed or had passed a certificate mentally, that I was mental.

At Udvada, we overtook the Nizamuddin Trivandrum SF and now up ahead was the Twin ALCO led Okha Ernakulam Express. And what a fine job the ALCO was doing.. We had given up all hopes for a OT, and thought we would have to trail it till Vasai, but thankfully, the OT happened before that and then, it was MPS action.

Stations skipped, Creek crossed and we were now in the suburbs of mumbai again. The train was running slightly late and we pulled into BVI by 8:45. Many got down here, to head to the airport, LTT, CSTM, and a few carried on to BCT. Kushal and I went to Gokul hotel, where a long bus journey to Bangalore awaited us.

.. to be concluded