IRFCA Mailing List Archive


Messages 5341 - 5360

From: VIRAF P.. MULLA <>

Subject: Re: Snail speed?

Date: 24 Feb 1999 23:00:42 -0500


>
> Why no traffic or some at very slow speed on our huge network of
railfans
> these days? Or all the prominent drivers are busy with achieving year
end
> targets,annual exams approaching?

Yes Shri, thats very true from my sidings.

Viraf

==========================
Viraf Mulla
C-20/14, Jeevan Bima Nagar,
Borivali (West)
Mumbai 400103
Tel: +91-22-8954510
E-mail: sncf@godrej.email
==========================

From: SHRINIVAS V. JOSHI <>

Subject: Re: Snail speed?

Date: 25 Feb 1999 00:37:22 -0500




Hi!

May be tomorrow the gang will be alive again, after the proposed budget
for railways is presented by Rly. Minister just now.

So, let's keep our fingers crossed till we get details.......


Bye,

Shrinivas

From: Joydeep Dutta <>

Subject: Trainspotting

Date: 25 Feb 1999 00:45:18 -0500


Hi! Everybody

This a small note about some train spotting at NDLS(New Delhi) on 23rd
morning and 24th night

23.02.99

Prayagraj Express from Allahabad came in hauled by WAP5 30000, the
prototype WAP5. 4257up Kashi-Viswanath Express entered with WDM2 18748
of Janshi shed in charge. Appeared to be unusual since KV express has
TKD link. Spotted a WDS4 named INDRAPRASTHA
24.02.99
North East Express from Guwahati was drawn in on time by WAP1 22048 of
GZB shed and 2622dn Tamil Nadu was hauled by WAP4 22243 of JHS.
Incidentally WAP4 22242 is named SWARNANJALI. They wre announcing the
arrival of Shane Punjab mail. Is it mail or express. I think its
express.
Bye
Joydeep Dutta

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From: Apurva Bahadur <>

Subject: news from the grapevine

Date: 25 Feb 1999 02:17:14 -0500


A little birdie gave me the following info:

Today's DMU manufactured by ICF Chennai is powered by Cummins VTA
1710 (705 HP) and consists of a basic three coach unit (1 driving
power car, 1 trailer car, 1 driving trailer car). Multiples of this
three coach formation are added to make 6 coach
(DPC+TC+TC+TC+TC+DPC) or 9 coach formation
(DPC+TC+TC+TC+DPC+TC+TC+TC+DPC). However 705 HP per three coach
formation is okay for a branch line service in Punjab, but the
acceleration leaves a lot to be desired.
So the RDSO has proposed a new type of DMU (with electric
transmission) of 1400 HP with a Cummins KV 16 engine. It is hoped
that this DMU will accelerate on par with the Mumbai EMU. The added
power also enables an additional car to be added, hence the rake is
of 4 coaches (DPC +TC+TC+DTC). Now guess where these HPDMUs (High
powered DMUs) are to be introduced ?
Yes - In Mumbai !
These will be coupled in sets of 8 and 12 coach rakes and used
extensively when the 1.5 KVDC to 25 KV AC conversion will start. My
guess is that something like 200 rakes will be required for the
Mumbai region alone, if the idea succeeds. My guess is that the
Western Corridor will be electrified first in steps like Virar -
Borivali etc.
An order of 4 such HPDMUs are pending on ICF for acceleration trials
and confirming the specifications. The order is due to be completed
in June/ July 1999. The initial trials of this HPDMU will be carried
out near New Delhi.
Indian must be the only country in the world which uses electric
transmission for DMU application. The reason is that the IR has a
vast experience with the Diesel electric transmission and it is
easier to maintain from the IR point of view. There are Hydraulic
DMUs also on the IR (DHMUs vs DEMUs) - you would see them in the
Secunderabad area. These actually seat 50 more passengers as the
engines (2 X Cummins NT 855 R feeding a KPC/ Voith torque
converter) are under floor. IR has a poor record of the hydraulic
transmission, the hyd. trans need too much maintenance and extreme
cleanliness, which is difficult to achieve.
Will keep you appraised on the progress of the HPDMU.

Apurva

From: Shankar <>

Subject: Re: Mhow Travelogue...

Date: 25 Feb 1999 07:34:24 -0500


Hello,
Thanks for a visual feast. The pics of the gaily decorated and
embellished engine with the headlight on are terrific. The b/w pics
reminded me of the mid 1980s when my brother and I used to go
trainspotting,As school/college students, we had to make do with
primitive equipment,120 size film and less than shoestring budget.Taking
pics was one thing, but getting the film developed was quite another,
with dad and mom breathing down our necks: why do you waste your time
and money shooting all those trains? one or two OK, but a whole roll?

But why did you choose b/w? I thought b/w film, rolls and processing are
much much more expensive nowadays as compared to color?

Best regards.
Shankar




Bharat Vohra wrote:
>
> Hi All!
> Siddharth and I have finally put up our long overdue travelogue on
Mhow.
> Please have a look by cliking on the link on-
> <A HREF="http://members.tripod.com/~railinindia/mhow.html">http://members.tripod.com/~railinindia/mhow.html</A>
> It is about a year old.....Jan 1998 trip but its here alright!
> Thanks and regards,
> Bharat Vohra
>
> ______________________________________________________
> Get Your Private, Free Email at <A HREF="http://www.hotmail.com">http://www.hotmail.com</A>

From: Shankar <>

Subject: Re: My Wankaner website

Date: 25 Feb 1999 07:43:30 -0500


Hello Apurva,
Ati chaanglaa!
A terrific site. I have not yet been able to peruse it in its entirety
due to time constraints, but what I have seen is quite a mouthful!
Its a credit to our society to have dedicated train freaks on the list.
Sitting in an alien country, all I can do is gloat over the pics taken
by our fellow membersand eagerly look forward to my next trip cum photo
jaunt in India.
May your tribe prosper.
Apurva, I am dying to see what the WAG/7 looks with the twin sealed beam
headlights , which you said you had spotted.Are the lights fitted at
roof level or under the windshield at waist level? Do you have a pic,
can you post it?
Best regards.
Shankar





Apurva Bahadur wrote:
>
> Gang !
>
> Check out my Wankaner tour picture and report. It is a large site
(over 100 pictures
> !) so please have the patience to go through it all. Let me know ASAP
is a link does
> not work
> Go to:
>
> <A HREF="http://members.tripod.com/~ApuB/index.htm">http://members.tripod.com/~ApuB/index.htm</A>
>
> and click on the Wankaner link right at the bottom.
>
> Apurva

From: Vijay Balasubramanian <>

Subject: Railway budget highlights!

Date: 25 Feb 1999 07:48:55 -0500


Hi Folks,

Here are the highlights from the www.indianrailway.com page. Will
post my comments later.

Vijay

************************************************************************
*******************************************************

HIGHLIGHTS OF RAILWAY BUDGET, 1999-2000

PART - I

Introduction

Challenges before the Indian Railways -- brought out in "Status Paper"
and "White Paper"
Despite constraint in resources -- most of the announcements made
regarding trains in 1998-99 fulfilled

- 440 additional coaches attached in more than 100 trains
- generated additional capacity of 29,000 passengers per day
- 124 new trains introduced, 32 trains extended, frequency of 32
trains
increased

"1999-2000 Passenger Year"

1999-2000 declared as "Passenger Year"
One model station with upgraded terminal facilities to be set up on
each Division
Improved passenger amenities to be provided on 30 Mail/Express trains
apart from Rajdhani/Shatabdi trains
Efforts to make Calcutta, Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai free of touts

Passenger Amenities

Customer Care Institute to be opened shortly in Delhi for
training of
front line staff
PRS Centres of Delhi, Secunderabad, Calcutta and Mumbai already
networked - Chennai to be linked by 31.03.99
Computerised monitoring of passenger complaints started on 150
stations
"Interactive Voice Response System" extended to 44 stations
"National Train Enquiry System" to be established for real time
information about train running
Pilot Project for Tele-Booking launched
Indian Railways "Web Page" launched
"Tatkal" Scheme extended to hundred trains
Pantry cars to be introduced on eight more trains in 1999-2000
Rail Yatri magazine to be started

Safety

Sitting Judge of Punjab & Haryana High Court, Justice G.C. Garg to
head one-man Commission to enquire into Khanna accident
Walkie-Talkie sets for emergency contacts between driver and guard
provided on all passenger trains running on 'A' & 'B' routes -- to be
provided in goods trains in second phase in 1999-2000
Track Circuiting from "Fouling Mark" to "Fouling Mark" to be completed
on all stations of A, B and C routes by 31.03.99
Pilot project of Radio Based Automatic Train Control system to be taken
up in Delhi - Mathura section
Rail testing to be intensified. Self Propelled Ultrasonic Rail Testing
(SPURT) cars being procured
Stress on manufacture of quality rails
Two chairs set up at Roorkee University for advanced studies in
engineering aspects relating to safety
"Railway Safety Review Committee" set up to go into all facets of
safety

Accidents at Level Crossings

Rs. 2,200 cr needed to convert 24,359 unmanned level crossings into
manned gates
Separate Fund proposed for funding construction of ROBs/RUBs and
converting unmanned level crossings
A New Plan Head being created to focus attention on safety at level
crossings
Assistance sought from Members of Parliament to recommend manning of
level crossings through "MPs Local Area Development Scheme". Railways
to match with equal number from their own resources


Railway Recruitment Board (RRBs)

Functioning of Railway Recruitment Boards streamlined -- recruitment
process made more transparent for Group 'C' staff
Interviews after written examinations to be done away with in order to
eliminate favouritism and corrupt practices

Group 'D' Recruitment

Group 'D' recruitment procedure to be tightened and made more
transparent
Selection through objective written test of appropriate standard with
physical fitness -- no interviews
Separate Unit under a senior official to be set up in RRBs for the
purpose

Upgradation of technology

6,000 HP state-of-art electric loco manufactured at CLW --
unprecedented achievement by any developing country

Contribution to improvement in Environment

Ban on sale of cigarettes and bidis on railway platforms and trains
from 5th June, 1999 -- the "Environment Day"
Afforestation drive to be intensified -- in future, requirement of
wooden sleepers to be met inhouse

Commercial utilisation of land

Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation to mobilise resources through commercial
utilisation of land/air space

Operating and Financial Performance in 1997-98

Railways moved 429.30 million tonnes, almost achieving the target of
430 million tonnes
17.6% growth in Gross Traffic Receipts
Total Working Expenses increased due to implementation of Fifth Pay
Commission's recommendations
Dividend of Rs. 1,489 cr paid to General Revenues

Revised Estimates 1998-99

424 mt of loading estimated against Budget target of 450 MT -- due to
shortfall in demand from core sector -- reduced earnings of Rs. 1,056 cr
projected
Pensionary payment likely to increase by Rs.1530 cr due to impact of
Fifth Central Pay Commission's recommendations
Rs. 345 cr saving in non-Plan expenditure -- Plan outlay reassessed at
Rs. 8,755 cr from BE outlay of Rs. 9,500 cr
Rs. 1,313 cr to be withdrawn from Railway Fund balances -- market
borrowings to go up by Rs. 180 cr

Steps taken by Railways to increase revenues

Reduction in classification of some commodities and Volume Discount
Scheme to enhance competitiveness
Facility of two-point rake loading provided
Special package for steel sector to attract traffic
Reduced transit time from 95 hours to 48 hours between Delhi and JNPT
with new CONCOR wagons -- 40 CONTRACK trains to provide guaranteed
transit service for expensive goods
Full powers to General Managers to quote station-to-station rates
Front brakevan of all passenger trains to be leased
Production of parcel vans to recommence
Special parcel trains to be run
Two packet system to be introduced for awarding catering contractsof
pantry cars and refreshment rooms -- minimum licence fee to be more than
double -- security deposit to be sufficiently increased
Minimum penalty for ticketless travel increased to Rs.250
Rates for commercial advertisements to be increased
Efforts to provide single-window interface to major freight customers
Passenger Services in 1999-2000

New trains to be introduced :-

Chennai - Tirupati Shatabdi Express
Shalimar - Haldia Intercity Express
Secunderabad - Machhilipatnam Express
Mumbai - Sawantwadi - Madgaon Intercity Express
Kurla - Patna Superfast Express (Biweekly)
Amritsar - Dharbanga Express via Narkatiaganj (Biweekly)
Jaipur - Bangalore Express via Secunderabad (Biweekly)
Guwahati - Chennai Express (Biweekly)
Delhi - Gandhidham Express (Biweekly)
Delhi - Coimbatore Express (Weekly)
Pune - Ernakulam Express (Weekly)
Raichur - Gulbarga Intercity Service
Kamakhya - New Bongaigaon Passenger
Patna - Mughalsarai Passenger via Gaya

Frequency of following trains to be increased :-

8017/8018 Howrah - Purulia Express from 6 days a week to daily
8463/8464 Bangalore - Visakhapatnam Express from 2 days a week to 4
days a week
1095/1096 Pune - Ahmedabad Ahimsa Express from 3 days a week to 4 days
a week
2101/2102 Kurla - Howrah Super Deluxe Express from weekly to 3 days a
week

Run of the following trains to be extended :-

4047/4048 Delhi - Gorakhpur Express to Raxaul via Narkatiaganj
5207/5208 Amritsar - Barauni Express to Katihar
4737/4738 Bikaner - Jaipur Express to Ajmer (M.G.)
5741/5742 Alipurduar - Siliguri Intercity Express to New Jalpaiguri
(M.G.)
471/472 Vijayawada - Vizianagaram passenger to Rayagada
1555/1556 Guna - Khajuri service to Gwalior
1143/1144 Gwalior - Chhapra Mail to Barauni
8301/8302 Sambalpur - Nizamuddin Hirakud Triweekly Express to
Bhubaneswar via Talcher Road
2407/2408 Nizamuddin - Nagpur Gondwana Express on 2 days a week to
Bhusaval
6343/6344 Ernakulam - Nizamuddin Swarnajayanti weekly Express to
Tiruvananthapuram
2307/2308 Jodhpur-Howrah Express (daily) running via Grand Chord will
run via Main Line one day in a week

BG services to be provided on gauge conversion :-

Four pairs of passenger services on Narkatiaganj-Gorakhpur section
Three pairs of passenger services on Indara - Phephna section
Three pairs of passenger services on Lalkuan - Kashipur section

MEMU Services

Jhajha - Kiul section
Vijayawada - Kakinada section
Kakinada - Visakhapatnam section
Durg - Raipur- Bilaspur section

DMU Services

Anand - Khambat (B.G)
Vijayawada - Bhimavaram - Narsapur (B.G.)
Delhi - Shamli (B.G.)
Mehasana - Tarangahill (M.G.)


Rail Bus Services

Bangarapet - Kolar (B.G.)
Tiruturaipundi - Agastiampalli (M.G.)
Banmankhi - Bihariganj (M.G.)

Security

Efforts made to improve coordination between GRP and RPF
Action initiated to give more investigative powers to RPF
Two battalions of Railway Protection Special Force to be set up -
another two planned
Long standing demand of recognition to the Association of Railway
Protection Force fulfilled

Annual Plan 1999-2000

Plan outlay proposed at Rs.9,700 cr; to be financed through internal
resources : Rs 4,160 cr, Capital from General Exchequer : Rs 2,540 cr
and market borrowings of Rs 3,000 cr
Capital from General Exchequer meets 26% of the Plan resources
Rs. 1,000 cr to be withdrawn from Railways' Fund balances
Thrust on safety, Doubling, Traffic Facilities, Track Renewals, Signal
& Telecommunications and Passenger Amenities

New Projects

Pending projects costing Rs 34,000 cr including Rs 20,000 cr of New
Lines and Rs.9,000 cr of Gauge Conversion projects
Priority of various projects fixed with approval of Cabinet for better
investment
Necessary approvals obtained for a large number of projects included in
the previous Budgets



New Lines

Approvals obtained

Koderma to Giridih
Macherla to Nalgonda
Angamali to Sabarmati via Erumeli
Lalitpur to Satna, Rewa-Singrauli and Khajuraho-Mahoba
Diphu to Karong
Ranchi to Koderma via Hazaribagh
Dharmavaram to Penukonda via Puttaparthy
Chandigarh to Ludhiana
Taran Taran to Goindwal
Kalka to Parvanoo
Bishrampur to Ambikapur
Baramati to Lonand
Bangalore to Satyamangalam
Bidar to Gulbarga
Gadwal to Raichur
Dumka to Baidyanathdham

New Lines completed in 1998-99

174 km of Talcher - Sambalpur line
Panihar - Khajuri section of Guna - Etawah line

New line projects included in 1999-2000 Budget

Agra to Etawah via Fatehabad and Bah
Kakinada to Pithapuram

New Lines expected to be completed in 1999-2000

Goalpara - Guwahati
Kashinagar - Kakdweep
Bongaon - Petrapole
Goalpara - Kamakhaya
Peddpally - Karimnagar
Jaruri - Banspani
Kapadvanj - Modasa

Gauge Conversion

Approvals obtained

Jaynagar-Darbhanga-Narkatiaganj
Madurai-Rameswaram
Quilon-Tirunelveli-Trichendur-Tenkasi-Virudunagar
Katakhal-Bhairabi
New Jalpaiguri-Siliguri-New Bongaigaon
Bankura-Damodar Railway Line

Gauge Conversion completed in 1998-99

Tambaram-Tiruchchirappalli
Tiruchchirappalli-Dindigul
Shivsagar-Moranhat
Mariani-Jorhat

Gauge Conversion likely to be completed by 31.3.99

Narkatiaganj-Gorakhpur
Babupet-Balarshah
Solapur-Hotgi
Indara-Phephana

Gauge Conversion to be completed in 1999-2000

Pandharpur-Kurduwadi
Nonera-Seoni
Kashipur-Lalkuan
Mudkhed-Adilabad
Arakkonam-Chengalpattu
Yellahanka-Yeshwantpur
Lakshman Tirtha bridge diversion on Mysore-Hassan line
Morbi to Maliya-Miyana and
Dahisara to Navlakhi
Dharangdhara-Kuda
Gandhidham-Bhuj

Projects included in the Budget 1999-2000

Kaptanganj-Thave-Sivan-Chapra
Salem-Viddhachelam-Cuddalore

Doubling

Approval for Yeshwantpur-Tumkur obtained

Projects included in the Budget 1999-2000

Mathura-Bhuteswar (Third line)
Punpun to Taregana
Amroha-Moradabad
Dayabasti, Grade Separator
Chapra-Hajipur
Karpurigram-Siho
Ernakulam Jn-Ernakulam marshalling yard
Rajatgarh to Barang
Diva-Kalyan (Fifth and Sixth line)
Attipattu-Korukakkupettai (Third line)

Railway Electrification

Approvals obtained

Lucknow-Kanpur
Kusunda-Jamunia Tand
Ludhiana-Amritsar
Railway Electrification Projects included in the Budget 1999-2000

Ernakulam-Tiruvananthapuram
Mughalsarai-Zafrabad (as the first phase of Mughalsarai-Lucknow via
Sultanpur)
Patna-Gaya
Tambaram-Chengalpattu-Villupuram
Chengalpattu-Arakkonam

Suburban Transport Projects

Setting up of Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation approved by Cabinet
Ongoing projects in Mumbai progressing satisfactorily - doubling of
Belapur-Panvel line; Thane-Turbhe-Nerul-Vashi suburban corridor; Santa
Cruz-Borivali fifth line
Extension of Metro Rail from Tollyganj to Garia included in the Budget,
1999-2000
Princep Ghat to Majerhat single line also included in Budget 1999-2000
-- completing full ring of Calcutta Circular Railway and survey for
doubling and electrification undertaken
In Chennai, work of MRTS Phase II between Thirumailai and Velacheri
progressing well
Delhi Metro Rail Corporation starts work on Phase-I

Surveys

Surveys in the Budget for 1999-2000

New Lines

To bring Talcher station on Cuttack-Talcher-Sambalpur line
Agartala to Akhaura
Almatti to Yadgir
Anupgarh to Bikaner
Badlaghat-Alamnagar-Bhawanipur-Purnea-Dalkhola
Bakreshwar to Siuri
Bisrampur to Jabalpur
Chatra to Tori
Dahanu road to Nasik
Gaya to Daltanganj via Guraru, Gurva, Sherghat and Imamganj
Jabalpur to Panna via Damoh
Jaisalmer to Kandla
Punalur to Erumeli
Khandwa to Nardana via Khargone, Sendhwa
Murshidabad to Kandi via Khagraghat and Behrampur
Nagapattinam to Velankani
Ramganj Mandi to Bhopal via Jhalawar, Aklera, Khilchipur, Rajgarh,
Biavra, Narsingarh
Rohtak to Hissar via Meham and Hansi
Tindivanam to Cuddalore via Pondicherry
Patna By-pass line
Kovvur-Bhadrachalam Road
Parli Vaijnath to Ghatandur (for regrading)
Umrer to Nagpur via Khaperkeda and Koradi
Makum to Saikhova Ghat

Gauge Conversion - Surveys

Bardhaman-Katwa
Aunrihar-Jaunpur
Mehasana-Taranga Hill
Pilibhit-Sahajahanpur
Wansjalia-Jetalsar
Tiruchirapalli-Karaikudi-Manamadurai

Doubling - Surveys

Lalgola-Krishnanagar with electrification
Renigunta to Tirupati
Baruipur-Lakshmikantpur
Daund-Manmad with electrification
Seoraphuli-Tarakeswar

Konkan Railway Corporation

KRC operating seven pairs of passenger trains and plan to introduce
"Konkan Star Service" for passengers and "Roll-on-Roll-off" freight
service
Railways' to continue providing operational and financial assistance to
KRC

Production Units

All production units achieved their targets in 1997-98

Public Sector Undertakings

All PSUs performed satisfactorily showing net profits
IR received a total dividend of Rs.60 cr in 1997-98 from all its PSUs

Research Designs and Standards Organisation

Universal Emergency Communication System (UECS) developed to enhance
safety
Developed a dual three-phase EMU design to maintain uninterrupted
services in Mumbai during conversion of traction

Medical Facilities

Special contributions made towards Pulse Polio Vaccine, AIDS Control
and Family Welfare

Sports

70% recruitment through open advertisement for greater transparency
5 Gold Medals out of 7 won by Railways in Asian Games

Special Announcements

Concessions for handicapped persons with escort extended to AC Chaircar
and AC Three-tier (75%) and other AC classes (50%)
Accredited Press Correspondents of Central, State/UTs and District
Hqrs. to get 50% concession in all classes upto 30,000 km in a year
30% concessions for recipients of President's Police Medal, in all
classes/trains after 60 years of age
Licensed Porters to get one-set of PTO for self and spouse in addition
to one second class pass already given for self

Passenger Reservation Terminals

PRS terminals to be extended to Rail Agents on experimental basis




Highlights of Railway Budget, 1999-2000

PART - II

Budget Estimates 1999-2000

Freight Loading of 450 million tonnes
Growth in Passenger Traffic - 8.5%
Other Coaching and Sundry Other earnings to increase by 5%
Gross Traffic Receipts estimated at Rs.32,411 cr including realisation
of outstandings
Ordinary Working Expenses estimated at Rs.25,740 cr - increase of 10.1%
Pensionary Liability estimated at Rs.3,300 cr - Rs.200 cr to be
withdrawn from Fund Balance
Appropriation to DRF of Rs.1589 cr; drawdown from Fund Balance of
Rs.600 cr.
Total Working Expenses estimated at Rs.30,283 cr.
Net Traffic Receipt at Rs.2,128 cr.
Net Miscellaneous Receipt at Rs.430 cr.
Net Railway Revenue projected at Rs.2558 cr.
Dividend to General Revenues increased to Rs.1,914 cr. as compared to
Rs.1,752 cr in Revised Estimates
Excess works out to Rs. 644 cr - falls short of Plan requirement by
Rs.1,121 cr
Rs.900 cr to be mobilised additionally; with Rs.221 cr to be met by
draw down and interest in the Capital Fund

Proposals regarding freight rates

Minor increase of 4% uniformly on freight rate of all commodities
Minor increase in classification of Washed Coal and Caustic Soda Liquor
Concession of 25% in freight rate for traffic upto 50 km


Passenger Tariff Proposals

No increase in second class fare of Mail/Express/Ordinary trains and
Second Class Season Tickets - special gift to 90% of rail passengers in
the "Passenger Year"

Keeping fares of second class Mail/Express trains as base, fares for
Air-Conditioned Classes and sleeping accommodation to be rationalised
based on comfort levels as under :-

Sleeper Class - 1.55 times;
AC Chair Car - 3 times;
AC 3-tier Sleeper - 4.5 times;
First Class - 5.25 times;
AC-2 tier Sleeper - 7.2 times; and
AC First Class - 14.4 times.

In Ordinary Passenger Trains, Sleeper Class and First Class will be
1.55 times and 5.25 times of the Second Class (ordinary) fare
Fares of Rajdhani/Shatabdi Trains to be revised by making suitable
adjustments
Minimum distance for charge to be 100 km for all the Upper Classes
4% increase to be applied on all parcel and luggage scales
Above proposals to yield Rs. 900 cr --- Rs.700 cr - freight; Rs.200 cr
- Coaching traffic (Passengers, Parcel and Luggage)




*****

From: Apurva Bahadur <>

Subject: Re: My Wankaner website

Date: 25 Feb 1999 09:37:01 -0500




Shankar wrote:

> Hello Apurva,
> Ati chaanglaa!
> A terrific site. I have not yet been able to peruse it in its entirety
> due to time constraints, but what I have seen is quite a mouthful!
> Its a credit to our society to have dedicated train freaks on the
list.
> Sitting in an alien country, all I can do is gloat over the pics taken
> by our fellow membersand eagerly look forward to my next trip cum
photo
> jaunt in India.
> May your tribe prosper.
> Apurva, I am dying to see what the WAG/7 looks with the twin sealed
beam
> headlights , which you said you had spotted.Are the lights fitted at
> roof level or under the windshield at waist level? Do you have a pic,

No pic, it was 0200 hrs, and we were not expecting such a rare sighting.
The large round
headlight at the roof level was replaced by two small sealed units in
the same space.
Thanks for the kind comments on my site !

Apurva

>
> can you post it?
> Best regards.
> Shankar
>
> Apurva Bahadur wrote:
> >
> > Gang !
> >
> > Check out my Wankaner tour picture and report. It is a large site
(over 100 pictures
> > !) so please have the patience to go through it all. Let me know
ASAP is a link does
> > not work
> > Go to:
> >
> > <A HREF="http://members.tripod.com/~ApuB/index.htm">http://members.tripod.com/~ApuB/index.htm</A>
> >
> > and click on the Wankaner link right at the bottom.
> >
> > Apurva

From: Krishnan Anand <>

Subject: General Inquiry of trains

Date: 25 Feb 1999 21:10:25 -0500


Hi all,
Can anyone suggest a site(s) where there is on-line inquiry on
arr/dep and resv. inquiry of trains on different zones. I came across
some sites on WR and CR in one of our mails on the list but i seems to
have lost it. Does other zones also have such a facility. Please let me
have all the sites available in case one of you know of it.

regards,
anand

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From: Apurva Bahadur <>

Subject: Remove the kink at Daund

Date: 26 Feb 1999 00:35:01 -0500


Gang !

I have always wondered if the reversal at Daund for a train to/ from
Manmad can be avoided. Is it all that difficult for an triangle to
be made at the entry of the DD - MMR road so the reversal at Daund
is avoided. I think the problem is more to do with the staff who
stays at Daund and would love to touch home (even it is for a few
tens of minutes).
There is ample land available at the entry of the DD - MMR road, the
area is almost at the exit of the DD yard so controlling that point/
signals will not be such a problem.
If more trains are to sourced from Pune towards North and east
India the kink at Daund has to be sorted out. In the best of
circumstances it takes 30 - 40 minutes for a train to reverse out of
Daund. That is totally avoidable if a triangle is made at Daund end.
Today atleast three express trains and two passenger trains out of
Pune reverse at Daund towards Manmad on a daily basis. Biweekly
trains such as PA - HWH Azad Hind Express and PA - MUI (Manduadih
[Varanasi] to you ignorant lot) and Gyan Ganga express also use this
link. Maybe Pune Ahmedabad Ahimsa Express (now four times a week
as per the new budget) can take the Daund - Manmad - Jalgaon -
Nadurbar - Surat route and save some time (it will save time only
if Daund is avoided !).

Apurva

From: Apurva Bahadur <>

Subject: Re: General Inquiry of trains

Date: 26 Feb 1999 00:42:15 -0500


This may work out only if a nation wide PRS system is connected via
internet. How many internet users actually book train tickets ? We are
at
'information may be available on the telephone' stage of IT. But we
should
be at the internet within 1 - 2 years.
The CR website is listed below, but would you trust the info available
on
it regarding arrivals / departures ?

WWW.CR-MUMBAI.COM

Apurva

Krishnan Anand wrote:

> Hi all,
> Can anyone suggest a site(s) where there is on-line inquiry on
> arr/dep and resv. inquiry of trains on different zones. I came across
> some sites on WR and CR in one of our mails on the list but i seems to
> have lost it. Does other zones also have such a facility. Please let
me
> have all the sites available in case one of you know of it.
>
> regards,
> anand
>
> ______________________________________________________
> Get Your Private, Free Email at <A HREF="http://www.hotmail.com">http://www.hotmail.com</A>

From: Julian.Rainbow <>

Subject: This and That

Date: 26 Feb 1999 06:51:07 -0500


Hi,

Have been without email for several weeks so am just catching up with
recent mail and thought that I might add a few comments.

The only Indian model produced in the UK that I know of is an 009 scale
Darjelling B class kit by Langley Models, unfortunately the chassis is
made
by Arnold and is no longer in production.

Regarding seats outside drivers cabs, this happened on both the 3' 6"
and
Narrow gauge in South Africa especially on Garretts. I have also seen
this
on metre guage locos in Myanmar.

I am currently working of Nigeria and Lagos used to have a Santitary
tramway which was an extension of the steam tramway, this had two very
interseting Hunslet tank engines which had an enclosed area behind the
loco
which was supposed to be used for the carriage of mails. It was also
reported that as the prisoners were used to carry out the night soil,
prison was not popular.

Julian

From: Apurva Bahadur <>

Subject: Re: Railway budget highlights! Questions

Date: 26 Feb 1999 08:53:40 -0500




> Mumbai - Sawantwadi - Madgaon Intercity Express

What is the definition of an 'intercity' express ? How is it different
from any day
train like Pragati Exp or Karnavati Exp ?

>
> Lakshman Tirtha bridge diversion on Mysore-Hassan line

What is this Lakshman Tirtha bridge ?

> Dayabasti, Grade Separator

What is a grade separator ?

> Chapra-Hajipur

Hajipur to train jaane hi wali hai !

> New lines
> Dahanu road to Nasik

This is very interesting, the existing WR to CR NE line like the Vasai -
Diva and the
Udhna - Jalgaon are underutilised, so why another track ? Is there some
freight
traffic in mind ?

> Surveys sactioned:
> Daund-Manmad with electrification

By the time this track gets electrified will the electrification be
complete from
Solapur - Guntakal side ?

> Developed a dual three-phase EMU design to maintain uninterrupted
> services in Mumbai during conversion of traction

What does this mean ? What is 'dual' about them ? The dual voltage ?

Apurva

From: Pushkar Apte <>

Subject: Re: Railway budget highlights! Questions

Date: 26 Feb 1999 09:52:32 -0500


Maybe I missed it, but it is disappointing to note that doubling of the
Mumbai-Chennai/Bangalore/Secunderabad line is nowhere on the priorities
list. This is the ONLY major metro connection in the whole country
that is single-line, leading to seriously sub-optimal connections; and
yet there is no urgency to change this pitiful state?

-Pushkar




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From: Vijay Balasubramanian <>

Subject: Re: Railway budget highlights! Questions

Date: 26 Feb 1999 10:00:26 -0500


>> Mumbai - Sawantwadi - Madgaon Intercity Express
>
>What is the definition of an 'intercity' express ? How is it different
from
>any day
>train like Pragati Exp or Karnavati Exp ?
>
>
An Intercity exp. denotes a fast(?) day-train connecting two cities. If
such a train is identified by the terminii it serves (as oppposed to a
distinctive name) then the word "intercity" is included. Other examples
are the Bangalore-Hubli Intercity Exp. and the Ahmedabad-Jamnagar
Intercity Exp. Trains such as the Pragati / Karnavati Exp. have unique
names and do not include "intercity". I am not sure whether there is a
min. / max. running-time for a day-train to be qualified as an Intercity
exp.

>
>> Surveys sactioned:
>> Daund-Manmad with electrification
>
>By the time this track gets electrified will the electrification be
complete
>from
>Solapur - Guntakal side ?
>
No idea. Once this is energized, trains leaving Manmad towards
Daund-Pune/Solapur would not have to change locos. at Manmad. They can
do it at Daund and use the time spent on reversals. Who knows, the
Karnataka Exp. would probably be hauled by an electric loco. all the way
from N.Delhi to Daund (assuming that Daund Solapur.... is still
unelectrified).


>Vijay

From: Vijay Balasubramanian <>

Subject: Re: Railway budget highlights! Questions

Date: 26 Feb 1999 10:06:27 -0500




>-----Original Message-----
>From: Pushkar Apte [SMTP:pushkar_apte@hotmail.email
>Sent: Friday, February 26, 1999 12:53 PM
>To: Vijay Balasubramanian; iti@vsnl.email
>Cc: irfca@cs.email pushkar_apte@hotmail.email
>Subject: Re: Railway budget highlights! Questions
>
>Maybe I missed it, but it is disappointing to note that doubling of the

>Mumbai-Chennai/Bangalore/Secunderabad line is nowhere on the priorities

>list. This is the ONLY major metro connection in the whole country
>that is single-line, leading to seriously sub-optimal connections; and
>yet there is no urgency to change this pitiful state?
>
>-Pushkar
>
I have a similar concern as well. Was doubling of
Daund-Solapur-Gangapur Rd. already included in the previous budget?
According to one of the IR magazines, doubling of Daund-Bhigwan would be
completed within the next few months. Is this reliable info.?

>Vijay

From: Sridhar Shankar <>

Subject: Re: Railway budget highlights! Questions

Date: 26 Feb 1999 11:11:49 -0500


> >Maybe I missed it, but it is disappointing to note that doubling of
the
> >Mumbai-Chennai/Bangalore/Secunderabad line is nowhere on the
priorities
> >list. This is the ONLY major metro connection in the whole country
> >that is single-line, leading to seriously sub-optimal connections;
and
> >yet there is no urgency to change this pitiful state?
> >
> >-Pushkar
> >
> I have a similar concern as well. Was doubling of
> Daund-Solapur-Gangapur Rd. already included in the previous budget?
> According to one of the IR magazines, doubling of Daund-Bhigwan would
be
> completed within the next few months. Is this reliable info.?
>
> >Vijay

I travelled this section in December I do not remember seeing any
serious
doubling work south of Daund. Perhaps, Apurva can shed some more light
on
this.

-Sridhar

From: Sankaran Kumar <>

Subject: Re: Railway budget highlights!

Date: 26 Feb 1999 17:07:45 -0500



Hi folks:


> New trains to be introduced :-
>
> Chennai - Tirupati Shatabdi Express
This ought to compete favorably with air traffic between Chennai and
Tirupati. My guess is this Shatabdi will be a success. But how fast?

> Shalimar - Haldia Intercity Express
Has SER started running trains from Shalimar or is this the first train?

> Secunderabad - Machhilipatnam Express
An addition to the Secuderabad-Narasapur express? Via
Bibinagar-Nadikudi?

> Mumbai - Sawantwadi - Madgaon Intercity Express
Alas, not a Shatabdi. But why? Tracks not fast enough?

> Kurla - Patna Superfast Express (Biweekly)
via Jabalpur, I presume.

> Amritsar - Dharbanga Express via Narkatiaganj (Biweekly)
from Gorakhpur to Darbhanga via Narkatiaganj, Sagauli?

> Jaipur - Bangalore Express via Secunderabad (Biweekly)
via Surat-Manmad-Vikarabad?

> Guwahati - Chennai Express (Biweekly)
Truncated version of Guwahati-Trivandrum/B'lore train, or one with new
timings? I guess we'll need to wait for the new TT.

> Delhi - Gandhidham Express (Biweekly)
Via Palanpur-Bhildi? Looks like Gujarat MG lines are vanishing fast.

> Delhi - Coimbatore Express (Weekly)
Via Gudur, or Secunderabad, or Manmad-Raichur?

> Pune - Ernakulam Express (Weekly)
presumably via Konkan Rly.



> Run of the following trains to be extended :-
>

> 1555/1556 Guna - Khajuri service to Gwalior
What is the routing? via Bina-Jhansi?

> 1143/1144 Gwalior - Chhapra Mail to Barauni
I wouldn't buy a reserved ticket on this one!

> 2307/2308 Jodhpur-Howrah Express (daily) running via Grand Chord will
>run via Main Line one day in a week
IMHO spoils a good train. Why can't they attach coaches from Patna at
MGS?
>

> MEMU Services
>
> Jhajha - Kiul section
Looks like MGS-Sitarampur main line is getting electrified.

>
>
> New Lines
>
>Approvals obtained

> Bangalore to Satyamangalam
Why stop at Sathyamangalam? Is Sathyamangalam-Coimbatore already
approved? Will be a beautiful line to travel on particularly the
northern approach to Kollegal skirting close to Sivasamudram falls, and
close to Bandipur/Mudumalai sanctuaries. More daunting will be the ghat

section Kollegal on the Karnataka plateau to Sathyamangalam in TN.
Sathyamangalam-Coimbatore is flat and should be easy to construct.

> Goalpara - Guwahati

> Bongaon - Petrapole
Any corresponding connection from the Bangladesh side?
> Goalpara - Kamakhaya
What is the difference between this and the Goalpara-Guwahati line?
Kamakhya is the station just before Guwahati towards New Jalpaiguri.

>Gauge Conversion
>
> Approvals obtained
>
>Jaynagar-Darbhanga-Narkatiaganj
Wonder if Nepal will convert the NG line that extends from Jayanagar?
> Madurai-Rameswaram
May mean a new bridge at Pamban.

> New Jalpaiguri-Siliguri-New Bongaigaon
Effectively doubling the main line in Assam/N.Bengal.

> Gauge Conversion completed in 1998-99
>
> Tiruchchirappalli-Dindigul
when was this finished?

> Gauge Conversion likely to be completed by 31.3.99

> Arakkonam-Chengalpattu
Wonder if they will invite Kanchi Sankaracharya for inaugurating this
one :-) This could act as a Chennai -bypass for north/west - south
trains.

> Salem-Viddhachelam-Cuddalore
Probably to provide a second access to MAS port from Salem to relieve
the almost saturated Salem-Chennai line. Neyveli will benefit too.
>
What about Mangalore-Hassan?

Kumar

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From: Jayant S <>

Subject: Re: Remove the kink at Daund

Date: 26 Feb 1999 19:10:38 -0500



> I have always wondered if the reversal at Daund for a train to/ from
> Manmad can be avoided. Is it all that difficult for an triangle to
> be made at the entry of the DD - MMR road so the reversal at Daund
> is avoided.
There is already such a triangle, if I remember correctly. Seems
to be a single line which is entirely outside the Daund limits.
Probably used by freighters ?

--
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From: Apurva Bahadur <>

Subject: New PA - ERS weekly express

Date: 26 Feb 1999 20:18:28 -0500


Gang !

As per the newspapers today the new Pune - Ernakulum weekly express is
to take Pune -
Miraj - Castle Rock - Madgaon - Mangalore route. Which means that the
Briganza ghat is
open for business after a long delay. I spoke to the Hubli division
staff in Pune,
about a month back and they were quite sure that the ghat was not open
yet for
passenger traffic. But they were optimistic of the opening in the "very
near future".
But then a weekly train is hardly going to make a dent on the Keralite
population in
Pune.

Apurva