IRFCA Mailing List Archive
Messages 6601 - 6620
From: Apurva Bahadur <>
Subject: From the archieves of the IRFCA
Date: 15 Jun 1999 02:15:44 -0500
Some musings from the past, penned by super railnut Sundar.
Trainspotting in Mumbai
There are only a handful of places in Mumbai where
Trainspotting can be
a pleasure, and there are so few railfans in Mumbai! The
problems are
compounded by a disdainful administration that treats railfans
with
contempt, and a lack of organizational skills among ourselves.
1. Vidyavihar station on CR, the Mumbai CST end.
This station offers an unhindered panoramic view of around two
kilometers upto Kurla. Its proximity to a railway marshalling
yard
makes it the best choice for freight fanatics. You can spot a
rare WDM2
(Kalyan or Pune) at the head of a freight train, patiently
waiting for
the suburban traffic to subside. But a majority of locos at
the yard are
WCG2's. A standing loco shed for WCM, WCG and WCAM engines and
the curve
for Kurla Terminus are by the side. You can catch one of the
few express
trains that emerge or terminate at Kurla Terminus. This
station is
generally less crowded, and a profusion of college students
adds a
youthful aura. And there are no slums in the vicinity! There
are only
two platforms for the slow lines among the four line corridor
and the
best time is early morning, after sunrise. You can spot the
WCM1/WCAM3
hauled Pune-bound Shatabdi at around 7:00 am.
2. Khar station on WR, the Santa Cruz end.
Again, its close proximity to a railway yard adds a romantic
ambience
when the halogens come on at night. A loco shed for WCAM locos
and the
Bandra Terminus reside close by. The corridor is composed of
six lines,
as compared to CR's four. The best time is in the evening,
when you can
spot two Rajdhanis hauled by a Valsad WCAM2 whizzing by at
5:15 pm and
5:55 pm, on their way to New Delhi, not unlike many
politicians. The
Rajdhanis were much better with double headed Ratlam WDM2's at
the helm
of affairs. Frequently, you are interrupted by planes rising
away beyond
Santa Cruz. A curious curve immediately after Khar was
necessitated on
account of the expansion to a six-line system a few years ago.
3. Vashi station, Navi Mumbai, on CR Harbor, at the Mumbai CST
end.
This is probably the BEST station ever built in India and
beats every
single airport in the country. Its VT end view is
mind-blowing. On a
clear day, you can spot the Mankhurd station overbridge from
Vashi; and
they are separated by an astounding nine kilometers! You get a
horizon
extending for more than twenty kilometers, and the unending
salty creek
submerges life immediately after the station. The embankment
has the
shape of an S before rising into the noiseless, concrete Creek
Bridge
mating the Mumbai island with the world. Other sights are the
silhouette
of skyscrapers at south Mumbai, the reactor dome at BARC,
Anushakti
Nagar, and the monstrous cranes and ships at Nhava-Sheva port
in the
mainland. The only problem with the Vashi harbor line is that,
locomotive hauled trains don't appear on the route, and EMU
Local Trains
get monotonous. Nevertheless, you cannot miss the view of a
local train
appearing as a small speck from nowhere on the bridge, snaking
through
the embankment and finally crawling into the station, after a
good five
minutes! The best times for Vashi are late evening and nights.
Don't
miss the orange sun going down on the skyline. The night scene
is
unrivalled, with the shimmering lights of the parallel
road-creek bridge
on the still salty waters. If you're lucky, you'll meet a high
tide that
gets water upto the station periphery.
Tell me some better spots for Trainspotting in India! I'm
compiling a
list of cool curves of the railway kind. One is outside Wardha
East
station on CR, towards South India (Ballarshah) and two
formidable ones
lie on either side of Dharmavaram station, on SCR. One more is
between
Channasandra station and Bangalore. Please contribute
generously to the
list!
Sundar Krishnamurthy
From: Apurva Bahadur <>
Subject: More from the archieve
Date: 15 Jun 1999 02:18:00 -0500
Hints on how to trainspot from Sundar
Trainspotting can be a fine art when travelling in India. On a
long
train journey, a railfan can optimize his/her spotting
capabilities by
adhering to a few pointers.
Most of the trunk routes in India are double-tracked. And most
of all
double-tracked routes are electrified. The most notable
exception being
the Mumbai-Guntakal-Renigunta/Dharmavaram line for South
India, that is
not electrified beyond Pune and double-tracking is abandoned
beyond
Daund. Between Daund and Guntakal, the line is double-tracked
in fits
and starts, and the entire route is diesel
hauled, with WDM2's from Pune, Gooty, Kazipet and the odd
Krishnarajapuram or Erode Locomotive.
Double-Tracked Route
- ------ ------- -----
The only necessary qualification for starting a trainspotting
session is
a window on the right side of the train. In India, trains keep
to the
left track of a double-line system, and a window on the right
side
guarantees a running line on your side through the length of
the
journey. When the train leaves urban life behind and rushes
thro' rural
countryside, the journey can be optimized very profitably.
Watch out for
the advanced starter and starter signals at all stations for
your
adjacent track. Encountering a green signal means that a train
is coming
on the line, between the current approaching station and the
next
station. Now, keep your eyes pinned in the
forward direction, and your wishes will be fulfilled. Also,
home signals
that show green mean the same. This method is very preferable
as
a> You get to pass your time
b> You don't leave trainspotting to serendipity (and get
startled in
the process!!)
c> A very enjoyable game of speculation
(freight/passenger) and
who-predicts-a-train-first? can be played with fellow railfans
(only a
few oblige!). (I play this with my brother, who does not mind
at all).
The yellow glow on the home signal is a false start, and
frequently
people mistake them for a train. The surprises in this game
are
passenger trains, who don't get a green signal at the starter,
and you
encounter them suddenly on your route.
A few lines where trainspotting reaps rich rewards are :
a> Mumbai-Pune Route (192 kms)
Signal Speculation is useless for a major part of the route on
account
of automatic signalling in suburban sections. Very heavy
traffic. Watch
out for
i>Neral, 87 kms from Mumbai, where a Narrow Gauge ZDM1 hauls a
toy train
for 20 kms to Matheran, a hill resort.
ii>Karjat, 100 kms from Mumbai. A twin WCG2 pair pushes a
train up the
railway ghats from the rear. They are disconnected at Lonavla.
A third
line from Karjat to Lonavla distracts you from the
mind-blowing hills,
valley views and vegetation. This line is for the return route
of the
WCG2's that travel light to Karjat, to haul back other trains,
and local
people use the WCG2 livery and buffers to position and perch
themselves.
They use the locomotives for commutation! You'll find lots of
WCG2's
stationary on the through lines at Karjat station and a
standby loco
shed at Lonavla, the hill station.
A smooth long anti-clockwise curve between Ghorawadi(160 kms)
and
Begdewadi(164 kms) makes the whole train visible as you peer
out of the
window.
b> Bangalore-Chennai Route (358 kms)
A very enjoyable journey, as both the lines are usually on
twin
embankments, separated by some lateral distance. If you're
fast enough,
you can even read the name of the opposite train, as it
whizzes away.
This is obviously not possible when the double lines are close
together.
Again, a heavily used line; but freight traffic is very
frequent. Watch
out for
i>Krishnarajapuram, 14 kms from B'lore
A diesel loco shed for WDM2's is visible between
Krishnarajapuram and
Whitefield. WDM2's from KJM are characteristic in their Sky
Blue+Navy
Blue livery. These WDM2's haul trains from B'lore to Mysore
and
Guntakal. Between Baiyappanahalli (10 kms from Blore) and
Krishnarajapuram, you can see a triangle that forks towards
North, from
both ends of the line, towards Dharmavaram. The signals of
Channasandra
station appear in the distance, and there is no obstacle that
blocks
your view. Trains going north from Bangalore or those going
West from
Cochin take this by-pass line. The Blore Chennai route is
single-tracked
between WhiteField & Kuppam
ii>Jolarpettai Jn, 144 kms from Bangalore
One of the most important and complex junctions on Southern
Railway.
Huge marshalling yards, lots of platforms and by-passes
outside the
station. Ideal for a plate of Medu Vadai.
iii>Arrakkonam Jn, 292 kms from B'lore
An AC Electric Loco Shed, Twin Forks for Renigunta just before
Arrakkonam, and the first instance of an AC EMU make this a
watchable
station on the route.
Single-Track Route
- ------ ----- -----
Single Track Route journeys are a blessing in disguise for
railfans.
Frequently, the train drops speed and grinds to a halt at a
God-forsaken
station. This is frustration time for people who dread
late-running
trains. This is crossing-time! Check for the signals in the
adjacent
through line, and don't forget your signal in the loop line!
If the
through line signal shines green, alight from the train on the
side that
has the through line and walk a little distance away from the
through
line. My inferences are totally based on non-electrified
routes.
Shortly, you should see smoke, and the noise of diesel exhaust
fans
become audible. A train appears suddenly from nowhere and
zooms past
your train. Catch one of the boards (with your eyes, not
hands!) of the
train, to know its name/destination/origin. Now, quickly rush
back to
your train. It would leave in a couple of minutes!
Don't stand between your train and the passing train; unless
there's a
platform in the middle! Coz',
You can't examine a rushing train this way, and don't be a
guinea pig to
test people's throwing habits! You won't know what hit you,
and that
would be the end of your lovely mood on an occasional trip.
I frequently try alighting on the Mumbai-Bangalore route. A
few stations
where Murphy's laws always come true for your train are
Yelakanka
outside Bangalore, Kalluru before Anantapur and Krishna near
Raichur.
Notice that, always your train stops; not the other train!!
It helps to have a time-table/Bradshaw on your journey. You
can try and
predict the other train by peering at the timetable for the
opposite
direction and the current time! A good preoccupation!
Visit <A HREF="http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Shores/9024">http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Shores/9024</A> for IRIZ
- - The (unofficial) Indian Railways Info Zone. I need people
to
contribute their knowledge!!
From: Apurva Bahadur <>
Subject: Still more stuff from the Archieves
Date: 15 Jun 1999 02:20:51 -0500
Some long banter between Sundar and Auro:
Dear Auro,
You said
>
> I have always wondered why this Mumbai-Chennai rail route
>(so-called
> "trunk route") has not even progressed/developed a metre
since the
> 1920's, while all the other trunk routes : Mumbai-Delhi,
> Mumbai-Calcutta, Chennai-Delhi and Chennai-Calcutta are
fully
> developed (double line, most of them fully electrified).
>
There are so many deluxe / prestige or simply, superfast
trains in
India! There is a superfast train (2xxx series) from every
major city to
another! Even from Mumbai, there's a Shatabdi to Ahmedabad &
Pune,
Rajdhanis for New Delhi, Geetanjali to Howrah, Golden Temple
Mail &
Paschim for Amritsar, an Avantika for Indore, a Sayaji Nagari
for
Vadodara, one for JammuTawi etc. From one city to another,
there are
superfast trains connecting ALL the major cities and towns in
India!
BUT THERE IS NOT A SINGLE SUPERFAST / PRESTIGE / NICELY
MAINTAINED TRAIN
FROM MUMBAI TO ANY CITY IN SOUTH INDIA!!
Except for the Mumbai - Nagercoil/Trivandrum/Tirupati Express
that
leaves Mumbai CST at 12:15 pm, there is NOT a single
south-bound train
that has a pantry car!
The punctuality of south bound trains coming to Mumbai is so
abyssmal that people coming to recieve their relatives /
friends turn up
very late and still wait a couple of hours!!
South Indians have got so used to the alacrity and
indifference of IR
that they can now endure ANY ordeal in the world!! Everything
else seems
so tame in comparison!! And they talk of discouraging people
from coming
to Mumbai!!
Ask any Keralite on his/her experience in reserving a berth
for one
of the three trains - 1081 Kanyakumari Express, 6331
Thiruvananthapuram
Express via Madurai and 6635 Cochin/ M'lore
Netravati Express; and you remember partition! The prospective
passenger
has to come one night before the date when reservations for a
particular
train open. He sets up a bedsheet outside the reservation
center line
and goes to sleep with the latest copy of Manorama / Kumudam
magazine.
(Obvoiusly, some of you people out there would know, how you
get US
Visas in Chennai now!) There are a lot of tourists who give
him company
on the pavement! The next day, at 7:00 am, there are
approximately 500
people in the line, eagerly awaiting 8:00 am when the doors of
the
center open.
At 8:00 am, there's a stampede scenario as people rush inside
and
position themselves in one of the many counters that dishes
out tickets.
Tempers run high and frustration ensues as people realize, its
RAC time (all tickets sold) by 8:05, and WaitList Numbers in
some time!
AND IR FEELS THESE ROUTES ARE UNECONOMICAL!
We've had Railway Ministers from South India .... Shri C. K.
Jaffer
Sharif from Bangalore who introduced trains from Blore to
everywhere -
even a weekly one to Gorakhpur!, but did absolutely NOTHING
for
improving the Mumbai - South corridor! The complacency
displayed by IR
is so bad, that on many instances, 6011 Mumbai Chennai Express
has NO
water, NO power for the day!!
Ratlam, at a distance of 653 kms from Mumbai Central on the
New Delhi
Trunk, takes 8.5 hours by Rajdhani, 10 Hours by other
superfast trains
and 14 Hours by the slowest train - 9019 Dehra Dun Express. On
CR, Wadi
lies at a distance of 605 kms from Mumbai CST, but the fastest
time is
11.5 hours, by 7001 Hyderabad Hussain Sagar Express! The track
maintenance, speed limits and stoppages are ridiculous! On an
average,
every south bound train from Mumbai clocks a schedule speed
that is not
more than 50 kmph!!!
That's one reason why bus operators and travel agencies thrive
in
Mumbai! Start a bus service to any south Indian city and you
thrive!!
South India has been a very important tourist destination,
with rich
cultural heritages, beaches, temples, resorts, hill stations
etc. But,
invariably, tourists gravitate into the arms of private
airlines and
road
transport agencies.
> If the basic criteria employed to develop a rail route is
Traffic
>Potential
> and Expected Returns, then I am sure "Daund-Gooty" section
(Daund-Wadi
> section is on Central Rly, Wadi-Gooty is on South Central
Rly) is
> completely overloaded at present ...
All south-bound trains have 8 or more sleeper class cars, and
at any
point of day / night they resemble a peak hour local train in
Mumbai.
Unreserved people think sleeper class coaches are their
grandfather's
property, and carry on regardless of any TTC.
>
> some Super-fast trains and also a "Rajdhani". Who knows, in
the
future, we may
> also see a "Super-Shatabdi" on this miserable corridor - a
Shatadbi
that
> will just remain stationed in the schedule and time-table
and not run
>like
> a real one should !
>
Regarding the starting a Shatabdi on this miserable corridor,
it is
highly improbable as current track maintenance and single-line
bottlenecks would make the running speed of the train to be 50
kmph, and
for a train to qualify as a superfast, it has to have a
minimum running
speed of 60 kmph!
With no offense to people of any state, I feel that south
Indians are
generally more academically oriented and they feel that
everything else
is secondary. You don't get rich businessmen, politicians or
foreign
tourists travelling in these trains. Its invariably bank
employees,
computer programmers, officers that take their family down
south for
visiting relatives and hometown events. These people have no
direct
saying in railway matters. Unless we unite, stand up and
shout loud,
IR will not improve.
Keralites will rejoice when Konkan Railway starts service on
1st
December 1997. On account of KR being autonomous, we pray that
it should not take ANY influence from IR in its functioning.
With Mr. E.
Shreedharan's vision, even his Mumbai Metro project should
take off!!
From: Apurva Bahadur <>
Subject: Notes on Electric locos from the vault
Date: 15 Jun 1999 02:24:16 -0500
Bharat pens a long but significant explanation on the electric
power.
Hi! This is Bharat Vohra here,
am glad too that I have company out there.....thrilled in
fact!
Also a great writeup on trainspotting in india..so very true,
I can
picture myself doing all the same things!!!
Well to answer your querry on the inconsistency of DC, AC
locos in
India-
Central railway was the first in the country to get an
electrified
section which was soon followed by Western railway getting
it...the
suburban sections of both CR and WR started of with DC
traction rated at
1500 Volts DC. and continue to be so today.
Calcutta also had DC lines till shortly after independence,
but they
were converted. The Indian railways found that AC lines were
far more
efficient and had lesser maintainence hassles, also in the
long run,
costs would be brought down, so as a policy decision all lines
hence
would be rated at 25,000 KV Ac! that is exactly the scene
today!
I am to believe that till very recently Southern railways
metre gauge
network had DC traction, but recent photgraphs prove
otherwise.
Also a loco preserved at the rail museum at Delhi is marked
YCG1!!
As of today however only CR and WR for sure have DC traction.
WR between Churchgate and Virar, a distance of about 60 odd
kms and CR
has a mush broader area covered by DC. From VT to Igatpuri
(via Kalyan)
in the north and kalyan to Pune in the south. Also all of
their suburban
lines in Bombay are on DC traction. Thier total area would be
approx 400
odd km!!!
Once the decision to electrify all other lines in india at 25
KV AC was
made, Bombay(CR and WR) were isolated with their DC sections!
On the western railways, trains ran out of Bombay on steam and
diesel
all the way till the late 70's. Parel steam shed closed down
in 79'!
In 1977-78, Chitaranjan turned out the first of 53 (numbered
21800-52)
WCAM1 class locos that could run through the suburban section
on DC and
beyond on AC, since it was electrified beyond.
In 1995, BHEL turned out more powerful and air braked WCAM2's
rated at
3200 HP to haul the rajdhanis and other airbraked trains of WR
from
Bombay, which were earlier in the hands of WDM2's.
At about the same time a few WCAM1's were modified and
converted to air
brake. As of today , in the Bombay area of WR, except for the
DMU trains
all traffic(frieght and passenger) is handled by WCAM1's and
WCAM2's.
All locos of these classes are sheeded at Valsad, Gujarat
On the Central Railway, things were a little different. Since
CR was
only electified in the ghats area and Bombay and had a much
broader
network than WR they needed a whole fleet of DC powers from
the
beginning. These needs were met by importing DC locos in.
England ,
Switzerland and Japan were the contributors. Hitachi of Japan
supplied
the WCAM 4's, Swiss loco works, Winterthur supplied prototypes
for the
WCG1 which were also supplied by Metropolitan Vickers,
Manchester. Then
came the WCM1, 2 ,and 3 from the English Electric Company.
Chittaranjan came into the act much later and by the 70's
started
supplyng the WCM5's and WCG2's which you mentioned.
Last year after CR tested some WCAM2's (on loan from WR), it
took
delivery of 5000HP WCAM3's from BHEL....a slow replacement for
the old
WCM1,2, etc...
As of today CR has all its locos shedded at Kalyan and has
satellite
sheds or outstation sheds at VT, Wadi Bunder, Kurla, Igatpuri,
Lonavala
and Pune! WCM3's and WCG1's have been removed from service 2
years back!
WCG2's and WCM5's (both Chittaranjan) and nowadays WCAM3's are
the main
stay on Central.
Plans are currently underway by IR to convert the Bombay areas
of CR and
WR to 25KV AC....so that will be the end of all DC in India,
whe it
happens..hope the info was useful
Regards, Bharat Vohra
From: Apurva Bahadur <>
Subject: IR and the Films (from the archieves)
Date: 15 Jun 1999 04:39:34 -0500
List of films with our first love from Sundar
A trainhopping query on Yahoo reveals a few sites on the
American Art of Hoboing and riding in freight trains as
stow-aways. I can
recollect a few scenes for freight trains in Indian Movies.
Some observations :
1. A freight/passenger train is usually hauled by WDS4 locos
in l recent movies - all hits! Examples: Yaadon ki Baraat, Ram
Lakhan,
Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge or the more recent Barsaat and
Daraar.
The producers look at these neglected shunters as good omen???
2. Nothing can match the beauty or romance of a steam
locomotive in a movie or a song! Recollect the Sholay raid in
the start. (The
scene where the meter gauge(?) loco ploughs through wooden
sleepers/logs is mind blowing.) The dacoits have a
free-for-all with Amit &
Dharam on the wagons.
3. The song "Haathon ki chand lakeeron ka" in Vidhaata starred
Dilip Kumar and Shammi Kapoor as driver & fireman on a steam
beauty.
I have recorded the song on VHS. It is probably one of the
very few
songs featured in locomotive.
4. "Hum dono do premi" from some Rajesh-Zeenat starrer had a
steam whistle adding music to Panchamda's music.
5. "Deewan Dil Deewana" from Kabhi haan Kabhi na had the
herione Suchitra travelling in a single train heading for Goa
that
alternately was pulled by WCM, YDM4 (yes!!), and finally a
WCAM1 that
brought it into Bandra Terminus, masquerading as Vasco Da
Gama!
6. Baaton Baaton mein had Tina Munim and Amol Palekar falling
in love as daily commuters on a local train!!
7. The hero/heroine invariably walk close to the railway
tracks in songs, at Lovedale / Coonor / Ooty and wave at the
Blue
Mountain express. Examples - Ram Lakhan.
8. Shah Rukh Khan gets into a local train (ladies) in
Chamatkar, but the interiors are those of the Rajdhani IInd
AC!!
9. Who can forget the heart rending climax of Mondram Pirai /
Sadma, that shows a tearful Kamal Hasan waving back at Sridevi
in the
Ooty train(again!).
10. "Hoga tumse pyara kaun" from Zamane ko Dikhana Hai has
Rishi Kapoor and Padmini Kolhapure sitting on top of the
Darjeeling Train.
This train is also featured in "Jiya Ho" from Jab Pyar Kisise
Hota Hai,
as well as the megahit "Mere Sapnon Ki Rani" from Aradhana.
11. Contrast with Rajesh's morose "Zindagi Ke safar mein" from
Aap ki Kasam. He boards a train, and they show the boilers of
the
steam locomotive, and Thakurli station as it whizzes by.
12. Dharam does a song, "Badal Jaaye agar maali" from Bahaaren
Phir Bhi Aayengi, sitting on the door of a quaint passenger
train. It
has an offbeat tanked steam locomotive. Can anybody tell me
what??
13. Dev Anand goes "Phoolon ke rang se" in a European train.
Its Switzerland I guess.
14. Romances bloom on foreign trains. Check "Dilwale Dulhaniya
Le Jayenge". The story of train anticlimaxes .. The first
scene
when they actually meet is on the British Rail HST. They enjoy
the
Eurail saga on Swiss trains and quaint electric locomotives.
The last scene
where they leave the viewer is on a WDS4 hauled Punjab
passenger (Ha Ha
Ha)(actually, the station - Apta is near Panvel, Maharashtra
and
lies on Konkan Railway Jurisdiction)
15. Lastly, THE ONLY RAILFAN to be ever featured in a Hindi
Movie -
Vinod Khanna as a railway engineer, playing with model trains
and ignoring wife and family for the flagship Rajdhani in B.R.
Chopra's The Burning Train (wonderful movie... only for the
trains, not for
the story/actors, whatever!!!)
Please add and contribute more instances of trains in movies.
Anybody heard of a Vijaykanth Tamil Movie - Sendhoora Poove
where the
last half-hour of the movie is a train delight as they embark
on a
freight fight and frenzy? There is another gory Andhra movie
where
Vijayshanti batters and bashes the villain in a WAG locomotive
on a
bridge, in the climax. Please get the name???
Sundar
As an afterthought I add to the list,
16. "Hai apna dil to awara" the evergreen number by Hemant
Kumar for Dev
Anand, in Solhva Saal, shot in a local train. Also, Dev sang
"Uparwallah
jaankar anjaan hai" referring to Waheeda Rehman in the upper
berth, in
Kaala Pani
17. In Julie, Lakshmi's father David is a fireman in a
locomotive!
18. In Mani Ratnam's tamil movie - Agni Nakshatram, the
superhit
Illayaraja "Raja" song, picturised on Kartik, is shot in
Madras Egmore
station, I guess. (Is it Chennai Egmore now??) They run on top
of an
empty train parked in the siding. Is this the same station
where "Chikku
Bukku Rayile" from Gentleman was shot?? I havent seen the
station in a
long time!
19. In Coolie, Amitabh is a porter in Bangalore City Station.
One of the
most elegant stations. I have passionate memories of the time
spent on
platform #1, waiting for various trains. Two things nobody can
forget
about Bangalore City Station - The "Flair" Cigarette ad &
jingle
constantly being played on the CC TV System mounted on all
platforms,
and the innumerable number of road bridges in the route upto
Krishnarajapuram. You get an excellent view of the city on the
north end
of the foot overbridge at the Bangalore City station.
20. In Parwane, Amitabh the villain, books a FC (First Class)
Ticket
from Mumbai to Howrah, alights the train at Dadar, goes back
to commit a
murder, rushes to Santa Cruz airport to catch a plane to
Nagpur, and
reboards the *same* train at Nagpur!! He thinks he cannot be
convicted,
as he was travelling in the train when the murder occured.
Sorry for
killing the suspense, but I think this story deserved mention.
It is an
old movie anyway.
21. Speaking about murders, #20 Madras Mail is a nice train
suspense
Malayalam Movie starring Mammooty and Mohanlal. A murder
occurs in the
train and Mohanlal is held responsible. A nice long train
journey where
passengers build friendships, have romances and get murdered.
I am not
killing the suspense in this one! This movie was remade in
Hindi as
Teesra Kaun.
22. Two DD serials - Yatra and Intezaar have been made on
railway life.
The first one examined the interactions among a diverse group
of people
as they travelled on the Himsagar Express from Jammu to Cape
Kanyakumari. The other one - Intezaar by Saeed Mirza/Kundan
Shah, dealt
with the trials and tribulations of a group of people
sustaining
themselves in different professions on the Railway Platform.
The station
master, driver, porter, chaiwallah and co!
23. Actually, Apta - the station featured as a Punjabi one in
Dilwale
Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge is near Panvel and under CR jurisdiction
at the
present. I think KR governance will begin from Roha upto
Mangalore.
24. In one movie - "Heeralal Pannalal", a steam train derails,
travels
for some distance and stops before a temple. I saw this movie
when I was
a kid, I have vague memories. Any details?? Such a derailment
and
pursuit scene was enacted in "Criminal" the Nagarjuna
adaptation of
Harrson Ford's "The Fugitive"
25. Another suspense movie is the Hindi one - "The Train"
starring Manoj
Kumar and Nanda. Its again the same murder and suspect story,
but
Igatpuri station gets featured. Its a unique station on IR, as
the
electric traction system changes in this station. I think, a
1.5KV DC
shift is given to the single-phase 25KV AC 50Hz voltage,
before
isolators separate the two incompatible systems from one
another. This
shifting from zero causes both, DC as well as AC locomotives
to travel
into the platform and get themselves detached before the other
locomotive can take over and continue the journey. I think,
equipment on
the locomotive blocks one voltage while allowing the other. I
have
walked from Igatpuri to Ghoti, the next station to inspect the
distribution equipment but the railwaymen are not cooperative.
You can
see a dead zone, also at kms. 63/16 on the electric support
pillars, in
the Virar-Vaitarna stretch on WR where this AC/DC conversion
occurs. Can
somebody explain how this works?? I have no proper idea, even
though I
am an electrical engineer (Shame and fie on me).
26. I also recollect Bengali actor Victor Bannerjee hosting a
three part
series on life on Indian Railways, in March 1992. It dealt
_totally_
from a lifestyle perspective, exploring lives on stations,
temples,
yards and quaint railway spots. It dealt with _passion_ of the
IR and
how trains change lives. I have recorded one of the episodes.
DD is
totally unhelpful in fielding enquiries on the same.
27. You cannot miss the DD briefer on the Railway Budget,
presented as a
half hour capsule every February end, and featuring standard
shots of
twin WAG5-HB hauled freight trains in Jamshedpur, the sea of
Humanity at
New Delhi station (half of the station is being temporarily
closed now
for renovation) and the Rail Bhavan exteriors.
Has the BBC program "The Great Railway Journeys of the World"
featured
IR?? The National Geographic video on IR is also not available
in India.
Sundar
From: Apurva Bahadur <>
Subject: More notes by Vijay on films with IR
Date: 15 Jun 1999 04:46:06 -0500
Vijay's addition to films featuring the IR - a railfan's
perspective from the archieves:
> was an Amitabh-Moushumi Chatterjee starrer in which a little
kid gets
> kidnapped in a Mumbai local. Finally, there was a movie
where Rajesh
> Khanna was a stationmaster of a small station and the whole
movie is
> played out there ... If anyone knows the names of these
three films,
> please do write...
The first one is Benaam, and the second one is Ajnabi. I
have about
30 mts. worth of various train clips from Hindi/Tamil films (I
record
them when I rent the movie) and also Coolie and The Burning
Train.
My pet peeve with train scenes is that they would sound a
steam whistle
while showing a suburban train or elec. loco. Also,
incompatibility of
the scene with the location - how can a train traveling in the
North use
DC traction?
1. The Burning Train shows the Rajdhani Exp. before it got
double
headed in 1981. It has numerous flaws:
- Various stretches from Delhi to Kota are shown as
electrified
even though Vadadara-Delhi was still unelectrified.
- The villian (Danny Denzongpa) removes the vacuum hose
and blocks
it while the train is supposedly at some station between
Delhi
and Mathura. This would disable the vacuum brake system
and the
train shouldn't even start.
- Once the drivers get killed by a bomb blast, the engine
is on its
own. The headlights, mysteriously, come on during the
night.
2. Coolie has some good shots of the green-yellow Karnataka
Exp. coaches
before the color was replaced. It shows the Bangalore -
Madras Mail
as having a green-with-white-stripes livery.
3. A sleek thriller, Inkar, starring Vinod Khanna, Vidya
Sinha, and
Amjab Khan shows Amjad planning an escape on the Mumbai -
Howrah Mail
via Nagpur. At that time, the coaches had a neat color
combination:
rust red on the top and bottom, a black strip across the
window
bordered by yellow stripes at the top and bottom.
4. Shor (Manoj Kumar, Nanda) has a couple of shots of the
Mumbai Central
passenger yard. Nanda is about to be run-over by a steam
loco.
What interested me is the Frontier Mail rake with its
cream-maroon
livery. One can also see the Rajdhani exp. rake.
5. Chunaoti (a Feroz Khan movie) has one shot of a WDM4 hauled
train
on a rail bridge (looks like the Malviya bridge over the
Ganga just
after Kashi station).
6. Patita (Shoma Anand, Vikram) has various shots of the WAP1
steam
loco. Couldn't get the station name.
7. Tiruda Tiruda (a Manirathnam thriller) has a fair amount of
footage
of MG rolling stock. The climax has the heroes battling
the
villians on a YDM4A hauled freight train.
8. Inaam Das Hazaar (Sanjay Dutt, Meenakshi Sheshadri) has
shots of
Mumbai Central station and WCAM1-hauled trains.
9. Virasaat (Hindi version of Devar Maghan) has some good
scenes of
YDM4As. Wonder which station was used.
10. I recorded some scenes from a few Malayalee movies. One
of them has
shows a coach with the original Grand Trunk Exp. color -
blue on
top and bottom, red in the middle, and white-red stripes
bordering
the windows.
11. The Train (Rajesh Khanna, Nanda) shows Igatpuri and Nasik
Rd.
stations. At that time, the I class coaches used to have
private cabins with doors directly facing the platform. I
have
faint memories of having traveled in one of these coaches
(I must
have been about 5 years old.) Igatpuri-Bhusaval was in
the process
of getting energized and only freight trains used to be
hauled by
WAG4s.
Vijay
From: Tim & Anita Wakeman <>
Subject: Archives
Date: 15 Jun 1999 10:35:24 -0500
Apurva,
This stuff is great!!! Keep it coming.
Regards, Tim
From: VIRAF P.. MULLA <>
Subject: Trains in Indian Movies.
Date: 15 Jun 1999 19:20:08 -0500
Hi All,
I remember an old Dharamendra & Sharmila starrer (Name of which I don't
recollect) where actress Ruby Mayers travelling in Bombay Suburban train
sees a murder being commited in first class compartment of an express
train overtaking it. The scene was copied from A.Christe's "Murder She
Said".
==========================
Viraf Mulla
C-20/14, Jeevan Bima Nagar,
Borivali (West)
Mumbai 400103
Tel: +91-22-8954510
E-mail: sncf@godrej.email
==========================
From: VIRAF P.. MULLA <>
Subject: Brake van
Date: 15 Jun 1999 19:36:57 -0500
Hi all,
Last weekend had a different experience of travelling along with the
Guard
in the Brake van of the Ahmedabad Passenger from Palghar to Borivali.
Since this train doesn't have a 1st.Class coupe we weren't able to take
"Patate" our Golden Retriver along with us in 2nd. and so had to leave
her
in the pet cage of the brake van. We all hate the idea of caging our dog
so we requested the Guard Mr.Kadam not to cage her and if I can travel
along with her. Mr. Kadam obliged and all the three of us Mr.Kadam,
Patate
and myself enjoyed the journey.
Mr. kadam's brake van was next to the locomotive and I had a grand view
of
our loco from his observation window. However I was unable to see
the raising & lowering of the pantos between Vaiterna & Virar since Patu
wouldn't allow me to go near the door.
Regards
Viraf
==========================
Viraf Mulla
C-20/14, Jeevan Bima Nagar,
Borivali (West)
Mumbai 400103
Tel: +91-22-8954510
E-mail: sncf@godrej.email
==========================
From: poras p.saklatwalla <>
Subject: Re: IR and the Films (from the archieves)
Date: 15 Jun 1999 20:32:08 -0500
On Tue, 15 Jun 1999, Apurva Bahadur wrote:
> List of films with our first love from Sundar
>
> A trainhopping query on Yahoo reveals a few sites on the
> American Art of Hoboing and riding in freight trains as
> stow-aways. I can
> recollect a few scenes for freight trains in Indian Movies.
>
> Some observations :
>
> 1. A freight/passenger train is usually hauled by WDS4 locos
> in l recent movies - all hits! Examples: Yaadon ki Baraat, Ram
> Lakhan,
> Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge or the more recent Barsaat and
> Daraar.
> The producers look at these neglected shunters as good omen???
>
> 2. Nothing can match the beauty or romance of a steam
> locomotive in a movie or a song! Recollect the Sholay raid in
> the start. (The
> scene where the meter gauge(?) loco ploughs through wooden
> sleepers/logs is mind blowing.) The dacoits have a
> free-for-all with Amit &
> Dharam on the wagons.
>
> 3. The song "Haathon ki chand lakeeron ka" in Vidhaata starred
> Dilip Kumar and Shammi Kapoor as driver & fireman on a steam
> beauty.
> I have recorded the song on VHS. It is probably one of the
> very few
> songs featured in locomotive.
>
> 4. "Hum dono do premi" from some Rajesh-Zeenat starrer had a
> steam whistle adding music to Panchamda's music.
>
> 5. "Deewan Dil Deewana" from Kabhi haan Kabhi na had the
> herione Suchitra travelling in a single train heading for Goa
> that
> alternately was pulled by WCM, YDM4 (yes!!), and finally a
> WCAM1 that
> brought it into Bandra Terminus, masquerading as Vasco Da
> Gama!
>
> 6. Baaton Baaton mein had Tina Munim and Amol Palekar falling
> in love as daily commuters on a local train!!
>
> 7. The hero/heroine invariably walk close to the railway
> tracks in songs, at Lovedale / Coonor / Ooty and wave at the
> Blue
> Mountain express. Examples - Ram Lakhan.
>
> 8. Shah Rukh Khan gets into a local train (ladies) in
> Chamatkar, but the interiors are those of the Rajdhani IInd
> AC!!
>
> 9. Who can forget the heart rending climax of Mondram Pirai /
> Sadma, that shows a tearful Kamal Hasan waving back at Sridevi
> in the
> Ooty train(again!).
>
> 10. "Hoga tumse pyara kaun" from Zamane ko Dikhana Hai has
> Rishi Kapoor and Padmini Kolhapure sitting on top of the
> Darjeeling Train.
> This train is also featured in "Jiya Ho" from Jab Pyar Kisise
> Hota Hai,
> as well as the megahit "Mere Sapnon Ki Rani" from Aradhana.
>
> 11. Contrast with Rajesh's morose "Zindagi Ke safar mein" from
> Aap ki Kasam. He boards a train, and they show the boilers of
> the
> steam locomotive, and Thakurli station as it whizzes by.
>
> 12. Dharam does a song, "Badal Jaaye agar maali" from Bahaaren
> Phir Bhi Aayengi, sitting on the door of a quaint passenger
> train. It
> has an offbeat tanked steam locomotive. Can anybody tell me
> what??
>
> 13. Dev Anand goes "Phoolon ke rang se" in a European train.
> Its Switzerland I guess.
>
> 14. Romances bloom on foreign trains. Check "Dilwale Dulhaniya
> Le Jayenge". The story of train anticlimaxes .. The first
> scene
> when they actually meet is on the British Rail HST. They enjoy
> the
> Eurail saga on Swiss trains and quaint electric locomotives.
> The last scene
> where they leave the viewer is on a WDS4 hauled Punjab
> passenger (Ha Ha
> Ha)(actually, the station - Apta is near Panvel, Maharashtra
> and
> lies on Konkan Railway Jurisdiction)
>
> 15. Lastly, THE ONLY RAILFAN to be ever featured in a Hindi
> Movie -
> Vinod Khanna as a railway engineer, playing with model trains
> and ignoring wife and family for the flagship Rajdhani in B.R.
> Chopra's The Burning Train (wonderful movie... only for the
> trains, not for
> the story/actors, whatever!!!)
>
> Please add and contribute more instances of trains in movies.
> Anybody heard of a Vijaykanth Tamil Movie - Sendhoora Poove
> where the
> last half-hour of the movie is a train delight as they embark
> on a
> freight fight and frenzy? There is another gory Andhra movie
> where
> Vijayshanti batters and bashes the villain in a WAG locomotive
> on a
> bridge, in the climax. Please get the name???
>
> Sundar
>
> As an afterthought I add to the list,
>
> 16. "Hai apna dil to awara" the evergreen number by Hemant
> Kumar for Dev
> Anand, in Solhva Saal, shot in a local train. Also, Dev sang
> "Uparwallah
> jaankar anjaan hai" referring to Waheeda Rehman in the upper
> berth, in
> Kaala Pani
>
> 17. In Julie, Lakshmi's father David is a fireman in a
> locomotive!
>
> 18. In Mani Ratnam's tamil movie - Agni Nakshatram, the
> superhit
> Illayaraja "Raja" song, picturised on Kartik, is shot in
> Madras Egmore
> station, I guess. (Is it Chennai Egmore now??) They run on top
> of an
> empty train parked in the siding. Is this the same station
> where "Chikku
> Bukku Rayile" from Gentleman was shot?? I havent seen the
> station in a
> long time!
>
> 19. In Coolie, Amitabh is a porter in Bangalore City Station.
> One of the
> most elegant stations. I have passionate memories of the time
> spent on
> platform #1, waiting for various trains. Two things nobody can
> forget
> about Bangalore City Station - The "Flair" Cigarette ad &
> jingle
> constantly being played on the CC TV System mounted on all
> platforms,
> and the innumerable number of road bridges in the route upto
> Krishnarajapuram. You get an excellent view of the city on the
> north end
> of the foot overbridge at the Bangalore City station.
>
> 20. In Parwane, Amitabh the villain, books a FC (First Class)
> Ticket
> from Mumbai to Howrah, alights the train at Dadar, goes back
> to commit a
> murder, rushes to Santa Cruz airport to catch a plane to
> Nagpur, and
> reboards the *same* train at Nagpur!! He thinks he cannot be
> convicted,
> as he was travelling in the train when the murder occured.
> Sorry for
> killing the suspense, but I think this story deserved mention.
> It is an
> old movie anyway.
>
> 21. Speaking about murders, #20 Madras Mail is a nice train
> suspense
> Malayalam Movie starring Mammooty and Mohanlal. A murder
> occurs in the
> train and Mohanlal is held responsible. A nice long train
> journey where
> passengers build friendships, have romances and get murdered.
> I am not
> killing the suspense in this one! This movie was remade in
> Hindi as
> Teesra Kaun.
>
> 22. Two DD serials - Yatra and Intezaar have been made on
> railway life.
> The first one examined the interactions among a diverse group
> of people
> as they travelled on the Himsagar Express from Jammu to Cape
> Kanyakumari. The other one - Intezaar by Saeed Mirza/Kundan
> Shah, dealt
> with the trials and tribulations of a group of people
> sustaining
> themselves in different professions on the Railway Platform.
> The station
> master, driver, porter, chaiwallah and co!
>
> 23. Actually, Apta - the station featured as a Punjabi one in
> Dilwale
> Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge is near Panvel and under CR jurisdiction
> at the
> present. I think KR governance will begin from Roha upto
> Mangalore.
>
> 24. In one movie - "Heeralal Pannalal", a steam train derails,
> travels
> for some distance and stops before a temple. I saw this movie
> when I was
> a kid, I have vague memories. Any details?? Such a derailment
> and
> pursuit scene was enacted in "Criminal" the Nagarjuna
> adaptation of
> Harrson Ford's "The Fugitive"
>
> 25. Another suspense movie is the Hindi one - "The Train"
> starring Manoj
> Kumar and Nanda. Its again the same murder and suspect story,
> but
> Igatpuri station gets featured. Its a unique station on IR, as
> the
> electric traction system changes in this station. I think, a
> 1.5KV DC
> shift is given to the single-phase 25KV AC 50Hz voltage,
> before
> isolators separate the two incompatible systems from one
> another. This
> shifting from zero causes both, DC as well as AC locomotives
> to travel
> into the platform and get themselves detached before the other
> locomotive can take over and continue the journey. I think,
> equipment on
> the locomotive blocks one voltage while allowing the other. I
> have
> walked from Igatpuri to Ghoti, the next station to inspect the
> distribution equipment but the railwaymen are not cooperative.
> You can
B> see a dead zone, also at kms. 63/16 on the electric support
> pillars, in
> the Virar-Vaitarna stretch on WR where this AC/DC conversion
> occurs. Can
> somebody explain how this works?? I have no proper idea, even
> though I
> am an electrical engineer (Shame and fie on me).
>
> 26. I also recollect Bengali actor Victor Bannerjee hosting a
> three part
> series on life on Indian Railways, in March 1992. It dealt
> _totally_
> from a lifestyle perspective, exploring lives on stations,
> temples,
> yards and quaint railway spots. It dealt with _passion_ of the
> IR and
> how trains change lives. I have recorded one of the episodes.
> DD is
> totally unhelpful in fielding enquiries on the same.
>
> 27. You cannot miss the DD briefer on the Railway Budget,
> presented as a
> half hour capsule every February end, and featuring standard
> shots of
> twin WAG5-HB hauled freight trains in Jamshedpur, the sea of
> Humanity at
> New Delhi station (half of the station is being temporarily
> closed now
> for renovation) and the Rail Bhavan exteriors.
>
> Has the BBC program "The Great Railway Journeys of the World"
> featured
> IR?? The National Geographic video on IR is also not available
> in India.
>
> Sundar
>
>
PORAS P.SAKLATWALLA
TEL :5773535/3636
EXT :4226/4232/4237
Gang,
Good movies mentioned, but I think one of you all forgot the best movie
of
Dharmendra and Shotgun Sinha - DOST with the memorable song, GAADI BULA
RAHI HAIN, SITI BAJAA RAHI HAIN ON SIMLA NG I THINK.
From: Jayant S <>
Subject: Trainhopping/Film
Date: 15 Jun 1999 20:54:57 -0500
> > A trainhopping query on Yahoo reveals a few sites on the
> > American Art of Hoboing and riding in freight trains as
> > stow-aways.
Apparently this is turning into a serious law and order
problem in the US, if you believe the anti train-hopping
sites. Incidentally, did a US hobo-style migrant worker
culture ever exist in India ? I don't recall ever seeing
freight train riders in India.
> > 1. A freight/passenger train is usually hauled by WDS4 locos
> ........
> > The producers look at these neglected shunters as good omen???
Hmm....possibly IR would charge CONSIDERABLY more to rent
out a mainline loco, WDM2 or WAM4 etc., for a film shoot.
Only railfans recognise the delightful absurdity in the
depiction of a WDS4 on a mainline train....though I
remember the Karjat-Khopoli passenger being hauled by a
WDS4 in the past. Used to look almost toylike seen from
the elevation of a Pune-Mumbai train approaching
Palasdhari, with three or four coaches and the
connecting rods of the WDS4 flailing away.
> > 2. Nothing can match the beauty or romance of a steam
> > locomotive in a movie or a song! Recollect the Sholay raid in
> > the start. (The
> > scene where the meter gauge(?) loco ploughs through wooden
> > sleepers/logs is mind blowing.)
I remember that scene: the loco rocks on its springs when
it hits the barricade which is a little surprising. Did
they use a model for that shot ? I saw the film when I
was very young and could not have made out. Must see it again.
There was a remarkable steam loco performance in "Pakeezah"
where the loco runs over Meena Kumari after she is caught
in a switch. Does anyone remember what loco type this was ?
"Mere Huzoor" had a song sequence set on a train, pulled
(I think) by a WP>
--
JS
--
From: SHRINIVAS V. JOSHI <>
Subject: IR and the Films (from the archieves)
Date: 15 Jun 1999 21:13:09 -0500
On Wed, 16 Jun 1999, poras p.saklatwalla wrote:
> Gang, Good movies mentioned, but I think one of you all forgot the
best
> movie of Dharmendra and Shotgun Sinha - DOST with the memorable song,
> GAADI BULA RAHI HAIN, SITI BAJAA RAHI HAIN ON SIMLA NG I THINK.
HI! Poras, Apurva & others
Another one missed out this time but discussed earlier is Do Anjane,
starring Amitabh, Rekha, Prem Chopra ,Mithun , a small but nice roll
& Utpal Dutta. This one has scenes abroad a First Class rake, from where
Amitabh is pushed off by Prem Chopra & later Amitabh as a producer films
a
same sequence , just to bring the past happenings to Rekha's notice.
A good plot but the movie didn't click at all.
Shrinivas
From: SHRINIVAS V. JOSHI <>
Subject: Nashik-Dahanu line!
Date: 15 Jun 1999 21:23:08 -0500
Hi!
From many reports published in Mumbai newspapers :
On 12th June 1999, survey for Nashik- Dahanu railway line was officially
announced to have started . A function to mark this occasion was
organised
at Jawhar Palace, in the adivasi belt of Western Maharashtra in
presence
of Rly. Minister Mr. Naik & many local leaders.
This route is in demand since long. So, hopefully the survey will be
over
by Feb. 2000 as promised by the Minister. And the work will follow soon.
This will be single line , with few tunnels en route.
Bye,
Shrinivas
From: Don Mills <>
Subject: Re: Trainhopping/Film
Date: 15 Jun 1999 21:50:12 -0500
I was under the impression that many hobos ride on India Rails. If a
person does not pay and sneaks onboard, is he not a hobo? With the
population of some of India's cities I do not see how a country could
not
have this type of problem. Don in WV
-----Original Message-----
From: Jayant S <sank@telco.email
To: IR List <irfca@cs.email
Date: Wednesday, June 16, 1999 12:07 AM
Subject: Trainhopping/Film
>
>> > A trainhopping query on Yahoo reveals a few sites on the
>> > American Art of Hoboing and riding in freight trains as
>> > stow-aways.
>Apparently this is turning into a serious law and order
>problem in the US, if you believe the anti train-hopping
>sites. Incidentally, did a US hobo-style migrant worker
>culture ever exist in India ? I don't recall ever seeing
>freight train riders in India.
>
>> > 1. A freight/passenger train is usually hauled by WDS4 locos
>> ........
>> > The producers look at these neglected shunters as good omen???
>Hmm....possibly IR would charge CONSIDERABLY more to rent
>out a mainline loco, WDM2 or WAM4 etc., for a film shoot.
>Only railfans recognise the delightful absurdity in the
>depiction of a WDS4 on a mainline train....though I
>remember the Karjat-Khopoli passenger being hauled by a
>WDS4 in the past. Used to look almost toylike seen from
>the elevation of a Pune-Mumbai train approaching
>Palasdhari, with three or four coaches and the
>connecting rods of the WDS4 flailing away.
>> > 2. Nothing can match the beauty or romance of a steam
>> > locomotive in a movie or a song! Recollect the Sholay raid in
>> > the start. (The
>> > scene where the meter gauge(?) loco ploughs through wooden
>> > sleepers/logs is mind blowing.)
>I remember that scene: the loco rocks on its springs when
>it hits the barricade which is a little surprising. Did
>they use a model for that shot ? I saw the film when I
>was very young and could not have made out. Must see it again.
>
>There was a remarkable steam loco performance in "Pakeezah"
>where the loco runs over Meena Kumari after she is caught
>in a switch. Does anyone remember what loco type this was ?
>
>"Mere Huzoor" had a song sequence set on a train, pulled
>(I think) by a WP>
>
>--
>JS
>--
From: Jayant S <>
Subject: Re: Trainhopping/Film
Date: 15 Jun 1999 21:51:36 -0500
Don Mills wrote:
> I was under the impression that many hobos ride on India Rails. If a
> person does not pay and sneaks onboard, is he not a hobo?
I meant "hoboes" as in the types who ride
freights. Of course, tickless migrant labour
on passenger trains is a persistent reality,
specially on trains out of Bihar.
There is a fine difference between "hobo"
and "stowaway" here.
I suppose the design of Indian freight stock,
along with the shoot-at-sight .303 rifle-toting
RPF types in IR yards, deter people from riding
freights in India.
--
JS
--
From: Tony Bailey <>
Subject: Re: Trains in Indian Movies.
Date: 15 Jun 1999 21:54:01 -0500
-----Original Message-----
From: VIRAF P.. MULLA
The scene was copied from A.Christe's "Murder She
>Said".
Was it not "4.12 from Paddington"?
Tony Bailey
From: Jayant S <>
Subject: Re: Pakheezah
Date: 15 Jun 1999 21:55:19 -0500
Viraf wrote:
> It was WG. Remember the famous steam whistle towards the end of the
> mujra song "Chalte Chalte" in the same movie.
Oh yes ! As a kid I wore out that song on my
sister's "Pakheezah" LP (last song on side II),
just for the thrill I got when that whistle
kicked in.
Somewhat sadly poetic that the WG has gone the
way of the LP record.
Any WG preservation likely anywhere ?
My favourite loco, you see.
--
JS
--
From: hvc <>
Subject: Re: IR and the Films (from the archieves)
Date: 15 Jun 1999 22:01:07 -0500
That was a great effort, Apurva and Sunder. This is a subject of my
interest
too and hence I noted some minor errors as below :
>2. Nothing can match the beauty or romance of a steam
>locomotive in a movie or a song! Recollect the Sholay raid in
>the start. (The
>scene where the meter gauge(?) loco ploughs through wooden
>sleepers/logs is mind blowing.)
The engine shown here is a BG loco of H/4 class. Their are however more
sequences in the same movie where MG YPs have been used including the
song
`Koi Hasina jab rooth jati hai'.
>3. The song "Haathon ki chand lakeeron ka" in Vidhaata starred
>Dilip Kumar and Shammi Kapoor as driver & fireman on a steam
>beauty.
>I have recorded the song on VHS. It is probably one of the
>very few
>songs featured in locomotive.
The best known song as per my knowledge(and taste of course) is `Dhanno
ki
aankhon mein hai pyar ka surma', also picturised in a WG 9499 loco of
Kalyan
shed. This less known movie called `Kitab' has Uttam Kumar, Vidya Sinha
and
Master Raju in the lead. A great part of the movie is based around the
WG
hauled train(to Amreli) and railway station. I know of instances when
children were inspired by this movies to run away from their homes
hiding in
the coal tender. For those interested it is shown on Zee Cinema/TV quite
frequently.
>10. "Hoga tumse pyara kaun" from Zamane ko Dikhana Hai has
>Rishi Kapoor and Padmini Kolhapure sitting on top of the
>Darjeeling Train.
Iam afraid this is Nilgiri Passenger again. The song is picturised from
air
and is simply superb. And some people thought that Shah Rukh was the
first
person to do it!
>12. Dharam does a song, "Badal Jaaye agar maali" from Bahaaren
>Phir Bhi Aayengi, sitting on the door of a quaint passenger
>train. It
>has an offbeat tanked steam locomotive. Can anybody tell me
>what??
It is the erstwhile Banglore - Mysore MG line.
>17. In Julie, Lakshmi's father David is a fireman in a
>locomotive!
Julie's father is a loco driver and not a fireman. The movie has some
great
sequences of AWC, HPS, WG and WP locomotive plus a glimpse of the famous
roundhouse at Shoranur Jn. and and station platforms.
>25. Another suspense movie is the Hindi one - "The Train"
>starring Manoj
>Kumar and Nanda. Its again the same murder and suspect story,
IT is Rajesh Khanna and not Manoj Kumar. It has sequences of WP, WG and
DC
locomotives. It is made at the time when there was no AC traction and
steam
locos used to take charge from WCMs beyond the ghats from Igatpuri
onwards.
Harsh
From: Anne Ogborn <>
Subject: Re: Trainhopping/Film
Date: 15 Jun 1999 22:04:28 -0500
Jayant S wrote:
>
> > > A trainhopping query on Yahoo reveals a few sites on the
> > > American Art of Hoboing and riding in freight trains as
> > > stow-aways.
> Apparently this is turning into a serious law and order
> problem in the US, if you believe the anti train-hopping
> sites. Incidentally, did a US hobo-style migrant worker
> culture ever exist in India ? I don't recall ever seeing
> freight train riders in India.
>
Well, the seriousness of it is questionable.
The sites about it are, most of them, pretty ridiculous -
a little like trying to learn about the Indian countryside
by watching Bandit Queen.
I've seen fewer train riders over the years -- I think as
the RR police get more serious about arresting them, they
hide better is all.
--
Anniepoo
Need loco motors?
<A HREF="http://www.idiom.com/~anniepoo/depot/motors.html">http://www.idiom.com/~anniepoo/depot/motors.html</A>
From: VIRAF P.. MULLA <>
Subject: Re: Trainhopping/Film
Date: 15 Jun 1999 22:14:27 -0500
>
> There was a remarkable steam loco performance in "Pakeezah"
> where the loco runs over Meena Kumari after she is caught
> in a switch. Does anyone remember what loco type this was ?
It was WG. Remember the famous steam whistle towards the end of the
mujra song "Chalte Chalte" in the same movie.
>
> "Mere Huzoor" had a song sequence set on a train, pulled
> (I think) by a WP>
>
Correct it was a WP.
Viraf
==========================
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Mumbai 400103
Tel: +91-22-8954510
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==========================