IRFCA Mailing List Archive


Messages 6761 - 6780

From: Apurva Bahadur <>

Subject: Re: Indrayani Express

Date: 22 Jun 1999 03:44:47 -0500


Many rakes like TK and BCX are still vaccum braked. Only light powers
and EMUs
(to work Pune - Lonavala suburban section) climb the ghats without a
banker.
Even a single coach train (like a GM or inspection special) is banked.
Most of the freight out of Pune are cement carrying BCN wagons.

hvc wrote:

> >There have been a couple of incidents where a climbing rake parted
> coupling
> >and rolled back.
> >In one such incident the climbing freight rake did not have a
banker. The
> >driver of the lead loco got an erroneous reading of vacuum being OK
by a
> rag
> >(or a dead rat ?) in the brake pipe.
>
> Are there still any vaccum-brake-only and without banker trains still
> running in the Bhore/ Thull ghats?

From: John Lacey <>

Subject: Re: Lost picture of a WP

Date: 22 Jun 1999 03:51:22 -0500


Apurva Bahadur wrote:
>
> Gang !
>
> Early last year when I started using the internet for the first time,
I stumbled on a
> site of an American museum (Smithsonian ?)- that site contained the
picture of a
> newly manufactured white coloured WP, without clearly starting that
this was an IR
> loco, the caption did say that this was a Baldwin power. I am unable
to go back to
> this site or find that picture. Any one with a lead ?
>
> Apurva

No lead on an Internet site, but the description reminded me of a photo
in a book. Facing p26 in Brian Reed's Locomotives ( The Power and Speed
Series for Boys, Temple Press, London, 1958 ) is " An Indian
broad-gauge streamlined Pacific locomotive " which is clearly an early
series WP in a light workshop grey. There are no decorations, or number
or lettering visible, and the downwards extension of the running board
ahead of the cylinders is straight rather than curved.
After writing the above, I checked Indian Locomotives of Yesterday (
M.A.Harrison, 1972) and the same photo appears in larger size. Here,
the number 13468 appears below the tender ( to identify the photo?) and
the owning railway is listed as being East Indian, and the builder as
Baldwin.

Hoping this helps the search!

John Lacey

From: Vijay Balasubramanian <>

Subject: Re: High-speed trains etc.

Date: 22 Jun 1999 06:34:50 -0500


>
> >Which is the best high speed track stretch in India ?
> >Is it the Bhopal-Agra section of CR ?
>
>That would be my guess. What about the Grand Chord from Asansol ->
Dhandbad
>-> Gaya -> Mughalsarai?
>

The high-speed sections in India (120 kmph. or more) are-
Faridabad-Agra Cantt - 140 kmph.
Mathura-Ratlam - 130 kmph.
Agra Cantt-Lalitpur - 130 kmph.
New Delhi-Howrah (via Gaya) - 130 kmph.
Virar-Godhra - 120 kmph.
Lalitpur-Bina - 120 kmph.

Both N.Delhi-Jhansi and N.Delhi-Kanpur have undergone trial runs of
160
kmph., however, current trains (Shatabdis) are restricted to
140 kmph. max. Can someone confirm that the LKO Shatabdi now goes at
140
kmph. max (it's N.Delhi-Kanpur travel was reduced by 15 mts. about a
year
back)?

Vijay


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Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit <A HREF="http://www.msn.com">http://www.msn.com</A>

From: Royston Ellis <>

Subject: Opinion poll

Date: 22 Jun 1999 08:04:26 -0500


The opinion poll sounds a good idea especially as (rail) travel writers
like me will pick up bags of information by reading all the answers.
Questions I'd suggest would be:
Best retiring room
Best station restaurant

Royston

From: Shanku Niyogi <>

Subject: DHR exchange with Wales

Date: 22 Jun 1999 08:38:17 -0500


Folks,

I'm not sure if you've seen this, but...

I ran into a website for Ffestiniog Railways in Wales - they will be
having
a program in 2000-2001 to exchange one of their preserved locos, an
oil-fired Hunslet 0-4-0 named "Linda", for a DHR loco. There are some
lovely
pictures of "Linda" on the site, along with a link to John Raby's DHR
website, which also has great pictures, of the DHR.

<A HREF="http://www.bangor.ac.uk/ml/fr/fr-loco2.htm">http://www.bangor.ac.uk/ml/fr/fr-loco2.htm</A>

From: Apurva Bahadur <>

Subject: Bomb Blast

Date: 22 Jun 1999 10:15:47 -0500


Gang !

There has been a bomb blast in a coach of a New Delhi bound train at New
Jalpaiguri.
Two dead and many injured. I wish these bastards would leave the
railways out of it.

Apurva

From: Anne Ogborn <>

Subject: Re: Marklin Train Sets.

Date: 22 Jun 1999 16:25:16 -0500


> Karthik Giddu wrote:
>
> Hi Gang,
> Can anyone tell me where do u get marklin Model train sets in India.
> In case of any other country what would the price of a basic model
set.
> Thanks,
> Karthik
>

KArthik -
Because of the balance of trade, a Marklin set will NOT be
inexpensive in India.

However, they occasionally appear used at train shows and
such in the US. I'm sure some of us in the US would be
willing to help shop for one.


--
Anniepoo
Need loco motors?
<A HREF="http://www.idiom.com/~anniepoo/depot/motors.html">http://www.idiom.com/~anniepoo/depot/motors.html</A>

From: Anne Ogborn <>

Subject: Re: Bomb Blast

Date: 22 Jun 1999 16:40:02 -0500


Apurva Bahadur wrote:
>
> Gang !
>
> There has been a bomb blast in a coach of a New Delhi bound train at
New Jalpaiguri.
> Two dead and many injured. I wish these bastards would leave the
railways out of it.
>
> Apurva

Oh, Apurva, I'm sorry for this terrible tragedy.
I too wish they would leave the railways out of it,
but even more I wish they would leave the people out of it.


--
Anniepoo
Need loco motors?
<A HREF="http://www.idiom.com/~anniepoo/depot/motors.html">http://www.idiom.com/~anniepoo/depot/motors.html</A>

From: Dr. K.J. Walker & Mrs. M.E, Heath <>

Subject: Re: DHR exchange with Wales

Date: 22 Jun 1999 17:44:59 -0500


Dear Shanku,
Please forgive the plug, but the exchange of "Linda" (an 0-4-2T
with
some advanced features) with the DHR has been mooted for the last 18
months.
It does look as if it will come off despite the considerable expense.
The
particular point of interest is the technical improvements, which could
contribute to the mooted "super-B" for the DHR.
Members of the various DHR Societies (one here in Australia, one in
England, and one brewing in North America) have been kept well posted on
the
prospective exchange.
There are many Ffestiniog people associated with both the English
society and the more informal "friends of the DHR", which has offered
substantial advice and help to those associated with the railway in
India.
Moral: join your your local DHR Society -- or start one!
Best wishes
Ken Walker

-----Original Message-----
From: Shanku Niyogi <shankun@microsoft.email
To: 'irfca@cs.email <irfca@cs.email
Date: Wednesday, 23 June 1999 1:57
Subject: DHR exchange with Wales


>Folks,
>
>I'm not sure if you've seen this, but...
>
>I ran into a website for Ffestiniog Railways in Wales - they will be
having
>a program in 2000-2001 to exchange one of their preserved locos, an
>oil-fired Hunslet 0-4-0 named "Linda", for a DHR loco. There are some
lovely
>pictures of "Linda" on the site, along with a link to John Raby's DHR
>website, which also has great pictures, of the DHR.
>
><A HREF="http://www.bangor.ac.uk/ml/fr/fr-loco2.htm">http://www.bangor.ac.uk/ml/fr/fr-loco2.htm</A>
>
>
>

From: Shanku Niyogi <>

Subject: Re: DHR exchange with Wales

Date: 22 Jun 1999 18:54:44 -0500


Point taken, and yes I'd heard about it too...I just thought the folks
on
IRFCA (many of whom are not in a DHR society) might want to check out
pictures of "Linda", as well as some new (to the IRFCA folks, anyway)
pix of
DHR.

My intent was not to provide "late breaking news" of any sort. :)

Cheers,
Shanku

-----Original Message-----
From: Dr. K.J. Walker & Mrs. M.E, Heath [mailto:kjw_meh@powerup.email
Sent: Tuesday, June 22, 1999 5:45 PM
To: Shanku Niyogi
Cc: IRFCA - mailing list
Subject: Re: DHR exchange with Wales


Dear Shanku,
Please forgive the plug, but the exchange of "Linda" (an 0-4-2T
with
some advanced features) with the DHR has been mooted for the last 18
months.
It does look as if it will come off despite the considerable expense.
The
particular point of interest is the technical improvements, which could
contribute to the mooted "super-B" for the DHR.
Members of the various DHR Societies (one here in Australia, one in
England, and one brewing in North America) have been kept well posted on
the
prospective exchange.
There are many Ffestiniog people associated with both the English
society and the more informal "friends of the DHR", which has offered
substantial advice and help to those associated with the railway in
India.
Moral: join your your local DHR Society -- or start one!
Best wishes
Ken Walker

-----Original Message-----
From: Shanku Niyogi <shankun@microsoft.email
To: 'irfca@cs.email <irfca@cs.email
Date: Wednesday, 23 June 1999 1:57
Subject: DHR exchange with Wales


>Folks,
>
>I'm not sure if you've seen this, but...
>
>I ran into a website for Ffestiniog Railways in Wales - they will be
having
>a program in 2000-2001 to exchange one of their preserved locos, an
>oil-fired Hunslet 0-4-0 named "Linda", for a DHR loco. There are some
lovely
>pictures of "Linda" on the site, along with a link to John Raby's DHR
>website, which also has great pictures, of the DHR.
>
><A HREF="http://www.bangor.ac.uk/ml/fr/fr-loco2.htm">http://www.bangor.ac.uk/ml/fr/fr-loco2.htm</A>
>
>
>

From: VIRAF P.. MULLA <>

Subject: Re: David Trotter's queries:

Date: 22 Jun 1999 19:33:36 -0500


> > Has anyone had experience of travelling on the roof
> > of passenger coaches ?
>
> To repeat, with hindsight: this is most certainly a
> DANGEROUS activity, and I do not recommend that anyone
> should try it. Particularly on electrified or MG lines.

Hi All,

I once did it on the Bombay bound Gujarat Express between Saphale and
Virar some 20 years back (before my marriage & I was travelling with a
friend). The electric traction had been recently introduced then. The
open
vestibule of my coach was just inviting me to climb up the roof and see
the pantos change.

Vaitarna station didn't exist then.

Though I would love roof top travel I would dare not do it on a
electrified section & certainly not if travelling with my wife &
kids.

Viraf



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

From: Douglas K. Howard <>

Subject: Unsubscribe

Date: 22 Jun 1999 19:33:52 -0500


Please unsubscribe me. Thank you.
Doug Howard
Brookings, Oregon, USA
dkhoward@wave.email

From: Jayant S <>

Subject: Re: Bomb Blast

Date: 22 Jun 1999 20:12:23 -0500


Apurva Bahadur wrote:

> There has been a bomb blast in a coach of a New Delhi
> bound train at New Jalpaiguri.
> Two dead and many injured. I wish these bastards
> would leave the railways out of it.

I don't see how anyone who does this sort
of thing can be considered a "freedom fighter",
to be lauded by "his" people.

Any sane person would agree that a "freedom fighter"
who picks on innocent civilians is dangerously
SICK in the head.

The only long term method to fight terrorism is
increased personal vigiliance, and to speak
up vocally against it, denounsing it as the
despicable, ineffective and immoral activity
it is.

--
JS
--

From: Jayant S <>

Subject: Re: DHR exchange with Wales

Date: 22 Jun 1999 20:17:40 -0500


"Dr. K.J. Walker & Mrs. M.E, Heath" wrote:

> Please forgive the plug, but the exchange of "Linda" (an 0-4-2T
with
> some advanced features) with the DHR has been mooted for the last 18
months.
> It does look as if it will come off despite the considerable expense.
The
> particular point of interest is the technical improvements, which
could
> contribute to the mooted "super-B" for the DHR.

Judging by the picture of "Linda", it will need
a change of couplers to operate on the DHR.

Is this loco air or vacuum braked ?

Also, have they announced a timeframe for operations
yet ? I would certainly visit Darjeeling to see
"Linda" in operation there.

--
JS
--

From: VIRAF P.. MULLA <>

Subject: Re: Marklin Train Sets.

Date: 22 Jun 1999 20:21:59 -0500


On Tue, 22 Jun 1999, Karthik Giddu wrote:

> Hi Gang,
> Can anyone tell me where do u get marklin Model train sets in India.
> In case of any other country what would the price of a basic model
set.
> Thanks,
> Karthik



Hello karthik,

Basic Marklin train sets are available in Bombay at Departmental Stores
like Akbarallis, The Gift Shop (next to Flora Fountain Akbarallis),
Benzer
and India Hobby Centre. The price of a basic oval with a shunter and
three
coaches should be somewhere near Rs.10,000/- pretty expensive.

They are also imported by: Mr.Hasit Jhaveri
Rolex Lanolin
Princess Street
Mumbai.

There are a couple of secondhand Marklin sets in very good condition &
prices available here in Bombay these days. You may get in touch with my
friend Mr.I.S.Anand - 5226163 or send a mail to me for further details.

Regards
Viraf

PS: Hornby train sets are easily avaiable here.

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

From: Muhammed Khan <>

Subject: Re: information

Date: 22 Jun 1999 21:11:35 -0500


Hi David:
Women coaches was a speaility of the Indian Railways and was a strange
concept for west. Now it is astonishing to know it being tried
elsewhere.
Regarding the incident of the "dead body" on the Itarsi platform!!!
Many a
times it is a con artist who plays on the sympathy of the public to earn
some money. I have come across such bodies suddenly come to live after
sufficient money was collected. Once on my Inspection rounds on the
Railway,
The RPF (Railway protection Force) guy proded a similar dead body on the
platform and the "Dead Body" suddenly came to life. It was the only
miracle
I saw with my own eyes!!
Hope it was not the same body which you saw. India is a land of many a
color.
Muhammed

-----Original Message-----
From: David Trotter <david@dtrotter.email
To: hvc <hvc@vsnl.email Indian Rail <irfca@cs.email
Date: Monday, June 21, 1999 10:03 AM
Subject: Re: information


>Hi hvc;
>Many thanks for your kind reply:
>I would appreciate your and the "Gang" reaction to the following
points.
>
>1 Has anyone had experience of travelling on the roof of passenger
coaches?
>
>2 Has there been a list of locomotive codes available in the past? I
would
>find it of help to identify what type of loco lies behind the code
letters.
>
>3 Today on the BBC radio it was announced that the provision of women
only
>coaches on English railways for late night trains is to be
investigated.
An
>example of the UK following the example of IR.
>
>4 Have we any Civil Engineers (Permanent Way) who subscribe to the
Club?
>
>5 Is deafness a problem for the crew of Diesel Locomotives? Having
been
>lucky enough to have had a cab ride I was very conscious of the high
level
>of decibels created by the almost continuous sounding of the horn. In
>addition the high temperature in the cab in late March did not help
matters.
>It was great as an experience but I was glad to get back into the coach
>after about half an hour on the loco.
>6 One of my memories on travelling through Itarsi was to find a swathed
body
>on the platform with coins placed upon it. I gathered that a poor
person
>had died and that his/her body would remain until enough money was
collected
>to pay for the cost of a funeral.
>David T
>----- Original Message -----
>From: hvc <champa@del3.email
>To: David Trotter <david@dtrotter.email <irfca@cs.email
>Royston Ellis <royston@panlanka.email
>Cc: Rodger Trotter <Rodger@TudorLodge.email
>Sent: 16 June 1999 09:19
>Subject: Re: information
>
>
>> Dear David and Royston,
>>
>> Welcome to the group and we look forward to hearing your travel
>experiences
>> in due course.
>>
>> >opted to travel First Class non A/C. My wish was to enjoy the
scenery
>more
>> >effectively through the barred windows rather than via the yellow
tinted
>> >"portholes" in the A/C coaches. What I had not allowed for was the
lack
>of
>> >bedroll facilities and access to any food service. What should I
have
>done
>> >to ensure that I had a more comfortable journey? The coach was one
of
>the
>> >very early 1st class non air-conditioned Coupe with two berth
>compartments
>> >and was thus showing its age!. Back in 1990 the compartments were
also
>non
>> >air conditioned but four berth which meant that I had more
interesting
>> >travelling companions.
>>
>> For 1st class coupe connoisseurs like you me and others, the bad news
is
>> that
>> they are on the go now the 3AC coaches having been given preference
ahead
>of
>> them. In fact the last 1st class coach was built by IR over 25 years
back.
>> Very few trains have these now although I have heard about the
possible
>> revival of this class in future. When the 1st class was on a high,
you
had
>a
>> coach attendant who could get you things from platform or elsewhere
for a
>> small `baksheesh' . But these days hardly ever a ticket collector
comes
>into
>> the coaches and to top it these are poorly maintained.
>> The later standardised 1st class coaches had four four-berth coupes
and
>two
>> two-berth coupes although there were many other non-standard designs
as
>well
>> including a 1st/2nd class composite coach.
>>
>> I was interested to hear about the railway that you are building but
was
>> intrigued to hear about the 5'3" gauge(please, Iam no expert).
>> I will visit your website shortly and to answer your question, No, we
do
>not
>> have any private preservation lines in India so far. Though the
first
>thing
>> that I would guess is to save the rolling stock from butchers. We as
>> `Friends of the National Railway Museum Society' are involved in
helping
>the
>> IR do that.
>>
>> For gauge conversion programme details, you can refer to IR yearbook
>> published annually. I don't think anyone will venture to write a book
on
>> this subject as it has turned out to be `not such a big deal' after
all.
>>
>> Harsh
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>

From: Muhammed Khan <>

Subject: Re: Catch siding

Date: 22 Jun 1999 21:16:58 -0500


Harsh;
You are absolutly right.
It was my confusion (and may be correctly) that IRFCA and Apurva are
interchangeable. The mistake I hope is now corrected, if not do write to
me,
since I want to be a part of the "crazy janta".
Thanks for the enlightenment.
Muhammed
-----Original Message-----
From: hvc <champa@del3.email
To: IRFCA <irfca@cs.email Muhammed Khan <ashiane@erols.email
Date: Monday, June 21, 1999 6:22 AM
Subject: Fw: Catch siding


>>Thanks to Muhammed for his notes. In future, please mark a
>>copy to IRFCA, there are quite a number of rail crazy janata
>>there who would love to participate in this discussion.
>>
>
>
>Hi!
> Initially I too thought that the message was not marked to the
list
>but since I had received two copies of the message, a closer
examination
>revealed that Muhammed has infact classified `Apurva as IRFCA' in his
email
>directory.
>
>No wonder though since Apurva no doubt is the strongest going member of
the
>list is his name is synonmous with IRFCA. He also takes credit for
>introducing so many railfans to the list. His website of course is a
prime
>motivation for many to be drawn towards the list.
>
>Bravo, and keep it up Apurva.
>
>Harsh
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Muhammed Khan <ashiane@erols.email
>To: hvc <hvc@vsnl.email
>Cc: Apurva Bahadur <irfca@cs.email
>Date: Monday, June 21, 1999 7:14 AM
>Subject: Re: Catch siding
>
>
>>If I am not mistaken there are catch sidings on Amla -Itarsi sections
at
>>Ghudankhapa, Teegaon and Darakhoh.
>>Beside catch sidings there are SLIP sidings. These are provided at
stations
>>who have a falling gradient of 1 in 26 and are meant to prevent any
>stabled
>>train from rolling away and entering the block section.
>>Muhammed
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: hvc <champa@del3.email
>>To: IRFCA <irfca@cs.email Muhammed Khan <ashiane@erols.email
>>Date: Sunday, June 20, 1999 6:06 AM
>>Subject: Re: Catch siding
>>
>>
>>>Most interesting stuff. I always felt that the PW gang takes special
care
>>in
>>>maintaining the catch sidings for otherwise the peculiar monsoons of
the
>>>ghats would simply wash them off. I have never heard of a derailment
on a
>>>catch siding. Instances of failure to arrest - many.
>>>
>>>Could you please enlighten us about the No. and locations of catch
sidings
>>>in the Amla-Itarsi section. I seem to recollect only one - at
`Ghudkhand'.
>>>
>>>Harsh
>>>
>>>-----Original Message-----
>>>From: Muhammed Khan <ashiane@erols.email
>>>To: Apurva Bahadur <irfca@cs.email
>>>Date: Sunday, June 20, 1999 4:47 PM
>>>Subject: Catch siding
>>>
>>>
>>>>Hi Apurva Bhadur:
>>>>The discussion going on regarding catch siding is interesting. As
far as
>I
>>>>remember, the catch siding has a definite profile and has been
>>standardized
>>>>by RDAs Lucknow, based on the approaching grades. It is not
essential to
>>>>have a natural hill or grade, it can be artificially created grade.
But
>>>>normally since the catch siding is required in hilly terrain the
>>>>availability of a rising grade is an asset. The entry into the
siding
is
>>>>normally on a straight line from the switch which is locked in the
normal
>>>>position till it is ensured that the train has come to a halt. In
case
>the
>>>>train is unable to stop or the driver is inattentive the train is
taken
>>>into
>>>>the siding. It is incorrect to say that the the railways do not care
if
>>the
>>>>train derails in the catch siding. The very design is to "Catch" the
>>train.
>>>>The provision of sand is to arrest,or technically to absorb the
>>>>energy,thereby bringing the train to a halt. Remember that though
the
>>train
>>>>under worst conditions, is under,or is being put in braking mode.The
>>>>design,length,the construction and the grade of the siding is such
that
>>>the
>>>>train is prevented from derailing. Imagine a passenger train
entering
the
>>>>siding at that speed and energy and derailing. The very purpose is
>>defeated
>>>>if the train is not caught.
>>>>I was involved in various departmental inquiries where in goods
trains
>>>have
>>>>entered the catch sidings on the Alma-Tarsi section of the Nagpur
>>division.
>>>>There are catch sidings in the hat sections over the Vindya Mts.
The
>main
>>>>function of the inquiries was to analyze the causes, which in most
cases
>>>was
>>>>due to the driver, in the early hours of the morning dosing off,
>>especially
>>>>with the pleasant breeze of the mountain air a long long day. But
there
>>>were
>>>>cases when it was pure mechanical failure.
>>>>Muhammed
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>

From: Muhammed Khan <>

Subject: Re: Pilferage

Date: 22 Jun 1999 21:30:19 -0500


The story does have an element of truth.
In Connection with the electrification of Igatpuri-Bhusawal section we
were
lto install Signal cables upto the distant signal which is more than a
kilometer from the Home signal. The signal cables has a lead sheath and
had
pure copper conductors. At that time (1968) and even now, both these
metals
were a hot item for thefts. The cable was buried two to three feet deep.
There were often theft in which the cable was cut in pieces and burned
to
take the lead and copper. The irony was that after melting the
copper/lead
was packed into bundles and booked to Bombay from the same railway
station.
One incident that I recall, in which it was not a small piece that was
stolen but about 200 meters or so of cable wasremoved. On investigation
with
the GRP (Govt.Railway Police) it was found that the modus operandi of
the
culprit was that they had brought a truck and after tying one end of the
cable to the truck ( dugged from the ground) they pulled the recently
buried
cable to the extant they could and then cutting it off before the patrol
man
came on his round.
Starnge are the ways of human ingenuity.
Muhammed
-----Original Message-----
From: John Lacey <jlacey@zeta.email
To: Apurva Bahadur <iti@vsnl.email
Cc: IRFCA <irfca@cs.email
Date: Monday, June 21, 1999 1:54 AM
Subject: Re: Pilferage


>Apurva Bahadur wrote:
>>
>> Thanks to Satish for his inputs on this subject
>>
>> ---------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>> Subject: Re: Trainhopping/Film
>> Date: Thu, 17 Jun 1999 21:22:13 -0400
>> From: S Pai <s_pai@bigfoot.email
>> To: iti@vsnl.email
>>
>> Apurva,
>>
>> Many years ago I heard a story similar to yours, which is that some
>> thieves had an organized way to steal the cables of the OHE catenary!
>> Apparently the trick was to tie a steel or other wire firmly to one
of
>> the rails, and a stone at the other end, and hurl the store over the
>> catenary. The short-circuit causes the circuit-breakers to trip for
>> several km on either side, and these guys know exactly how long it
takes
>> for the railway folks to come up there to investigate in their jeep
or
>> whatever. In that time they use ladders and casually cut and roll up
>> catenary wires, grab insulators, etc.
>>
>> Now, this is only second-hand narration. I don't know whether it
>> actually happened, but I'm inclined to believe people would have
tried
>> it a few times. Haven't heard of it recently, perhaps these days the
>> cable is not worth the time and effort for such an operation. (Maybe
>> the material has changed; I believe street light wires were also
stolen
>> regularly earlier when the material was some more expensive alloy
than
>> currently.)
>>
>> --Satish
>
>What an amazing collection of stories!
>All I can add is that I can remember press reports about the theft of
>overhead wiring-and consequent train service disruptions ( on ER?
SER?)-
>in about 1982-3.
>John Lacey
>
>

From: hvc <>

Subject: Re: Bomb Blast

Date: 22 Jun 1999 21:46:25 -0500


It was the Mahananda Express bound for Delhi which was bombed at New
Jalpaiguri.
Unconfirmed news report say that ULFA(an extremist outfit in Assam)
targetted the Delhi train at the behest of ISI, Pakistan to hamper the
movement of Gorkha/ Assam Rifle troops to Kargil area.
The bomb was in a briefcase and so powerful that it ripped through two
platforms roofs. 8 killed and over 80 injured.




-----Original Message-----
From: Apurva Bahadur <iti@vsnl.email
To: IRFCA <irfca@cs.email
Date: Wednesday, June 23, 1999 9:17 AM
Subject: Bomb Blast


>Gang !
>
>There has been a bomb blast in a coach of a New Delhi bound train at
New
Jalpaiguri.
>Two dead and many injured. I wish these bastards would leave the
railways
out of it.
>
>Apurva
>
>

From: VIRAF P.. MULLA <>

Subject: Re: Opinion poll

Date: 22 Jun 1999 21:55:56 -0500


On Tue, 22 Jun 1999, Royston Ellis wrote:

> The opinion poll sounds a good idea especially as (rail) travel
writers
> like me will pick up bags of information by reading all the answers.
> Questions I'd suggest would be:
> Best retiring room
> Best station restaurant
>
> Royston
>

Hello Royston

The Best retiring room: Udaipur station has huge airy rooms with running
hot/cold water. There are 3 rooms with double bed @ Rs.125 per room. A
dormitory with 10 beds @ Rs.40 per bed. A double bed AC room @ Rs.300
per
room.

The Best restaurant: years back I had a filling breakfast at Barog
on Kalka-Simla line. A very decent & clean place with a view to match.
But that was way back in 1980. Hope it has maintained it's old world
charm.

regards

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