Emotions on Patri-- Train-Fanning: May 2012

Finally , " ( Mumbai Central - New Delhi ) BCT- NDLS" Duronto Started , but at awkward time ( My Personal view ) , with Again BRC WAP-4 ( Well , i was expecting some three phase loco ) .

Here are shots of some memorable grand entry of first BCT - NDLS Duronto with BRC WAP-4 # 22560 at Vadodara Railway Station .

The challenge of retirement is how to spend time without spending money.

BRC WAP-4 E # 22560 was on duty with 22209 .

Incidentally or in a planned way , Many LP & ALP were gathered , before the arrival of the train , unknown to this matter , i was just maintaining the silence , When d train Entered & stopped , they Congratulated LP , for his last heroic & historical run .

My Euphoria was on zenith , wen i thought how the WR appointed - LP sir retirement celebration & Duronto Start-up Celebration .....

All d best LP Sir & a millions tons thanks for igniting

Carrying billions of star

2011 made Coaches with a brand new Board .

I loved the rose attached at each door .

Tried for low angle shot .....

Bye , bye , Happy Journey ahead .

Ahh, Finally , Vadodara got his own three phase locomotive , after successfully handling GZB three phase nearly for a decade .

It happened on the month of November - 2011 , On usual Sunday , i was at station to catch -Gujarat Exp towards Ahmedabad [19011] , as i reached station ,while moving towards platform no-2 , i saw a white shining,pretty, appealing ,double stripped dead loco -written WAP-5 # 30045 ( with no shed marking ) , hailed by BRC WAM-4 with a train -Valsad - Viramgam Passenger (59049 ).

All of sudden , a vociferous announcement echoed at my ears - that Gujarat express is late by 15 min ,

I peeped around the station , found empty station at noon ( especially RPF ) ,My smile betrayed my feeling , i exposed my small cam & took many pics .

As my inquisitiveness erupted & i interrogated some points with the ALP of the WAM-4 .

Me;- Sir , Is this a new loco or POHed ???

ALP- ( By pointing the disc brakes ) well dear , i don't know , but my experience says that this loco has POHed ?

Me;- Any idea !!! Where it has been POHed ??

ALP- ( Nodded his head ) - No .

Me;- Might be BSL ( Bhusaval ) , what do you say sir ?

ALP- Might be .

Me;- Sir , are you sure , if it has been POHed , than , why there is no shed marking ?

ALP- it must be installed by the loco shed .

Me;- so whose machine is this ?

ALP- GZB ( Ghaziabad )

Me;- ok ..

I thought i was just introspecting him too much ,like the loco has been stolen & he was hijacked to drive that one , I thanked him , take a pose on bench & just giving a stare to the white princess .

I made several phone calls to others rail-fans , narrating the same story , majority said It belongs to Ghaziabad .

Finally , I decided to visit Vadodara -ELS .

I do not, of course , have enough gumption , to enter the Loco shed premises just for a walk . But , yes , I am a marketing fellow , i have to promote & sell my brand , my product - wielding consumables.

I entered ELS ( Electric Loco Shed ) with a marketing motive & just a disciple of Indian Railway .Just met few officers with full zestfulness also give a idea that i love Indian Railway , the way you people move the train & trains moves us is what makes Incredible India .

I crossed my fingers may be Vadodara would get this beauty , but assertions were true that Ghaziabad locos are doing well . But , after AC conversion from DC locos were required to serve the Western Railway region as WCAM-1 (VALSAD) is on verge of scrap .

Humbled , the officer said - its not a one man work , its a institution.

Definitely sir , was my reply .

With all due permission , i entered the IOH , campus , Three brownie WAGGIS ( WAG-5) of BRC , were on ICU , the cab has been removed, each part , starts from Auxiliary motor , traction motors , panto-graphs , blowers , transformer were separated & sent to there respective home for maintenance.

Getting back to WAP-5 , i was anticipating 30045 , but as i entered the i saw 30045 &30044 .

The biggest stupefaction in my rail-fanning career , once again i had chat with many rail-fans , my balance of Rs 100 , was just vanished deliriously within a couple of minutes .

& what more - with BRC Written .....it was a party time for all Western Railway rail-fans ...... I was on zenith of temptation, so , i clicked some pic .

That day was my best day of my life . Finally we got Three phase !!!!!

It took 5-6 days for Primary inspection , to take the charge from CLW,( Chittranjan Locomotove Works ) to BRC ELS , after that , to felicitate by Western Railway ,BRC WAP-5 has been named "GAURAV" ( seen below )

Now , the question must be bouncing at your mind , which is first esteemed train , who kissed the white beauty .

Than hold your thought , It was - 59157 ( BRC-ANND PASS) with only 5-6 coaches.
Finally , i conducted a series of inquiry , why not Shatabdi , Rajdhani, Gujarat Mail , & other super-fast trains , the cogent reply was - T-R-I-A-l.