Gitanjali Express - 1980
by Mani Vijay
2025-07-09
I have very pleasant memories of my first trip on the Gitanjali from Bombay V.T. to Tatanagar in summer of 1980. I still remember hearing the announcement over the radio about a new Bombay-Howrah train that would take around 29 hours - it also mentioned the livery as being vermillion red and yellow. Since CR Mumbai had only a handful of real classy superfasts, this was a big deal to me. Also, Bombay-Bhusaval is one of my favorite sections (there was a time when I remembered each and every station between BBVT and BSL) and I couldn't wait to see a long-distance limited-halt superfast in this section.So, when an opportunity arose to travel to Tatanagar in this train, my joy knew no bounds. I picked-up a copy of the CR TT and learnt that the Gitanjali's halt pattern had some minor additions since its inception. Dadar had become a halt both ways, Bilaspur had become a commerical halt, and Igatpuri was a commercial halt in Dn only. In addition to these, it only had six other halts - Bhusaval, Akola, Nagpur, Durg, Raurkela and Tatanagar. The Bombay VT departure was at 6.00am (with an arrival time of 11.15am at HWH, Tata would be reached around 7.30am). It was agonizing to have to sleep the previous night. As you can imagine, I badly wanted the night to end, so that I could be on my way.
Finally, after what it seemed like eternity, we were on our way from Ghatkopar to Bombay V.T. I remember my jaw drop when I saw this train standing at the station with its uniform, magnificent red-yellow livery. I think it had 13 coaches, fully vestibuled and reserved, including a pantry car. So, 10 Sleeper 3-tier coaches, 2 Sleeper 3-tier cum luggage vans and a pantry car. A bonus was that my coach was right in front, next to the loco - hurray! My mom and I got the very first side-berth, still remember that. But it was the non-trackside one :-( A Marwari family was traveling in the opposite cabin. They were bound for Calcutta but the prospect of a bandh loomed large, indicating that all trains could get terminated at Tata itself. No worries for us there!
I witnessed a white-blue WCAM-1 loco attach itself next to us. Terrific! This meant that I would be right next to a WAM-4-type loco right from the beginning. I have to confess that I wasn't a big fan of the DC locos - WCMx series. At that time, a few CR trains used to regularly get hauled by WCAM-1 locos - Gitanjali, Punjab Mail, Panchavati Exp. We left on the dot and cross the suburban stations even as the stations began to get bathed in the soothing rays of the morning sun. Dadar was the first 'irritating' halt - "why did the Gitanjali have to halt here?". But I was staring down at those morning commuters as if to say - "Don't mess with me, I am in THE GITANJALI".
The first big skip was Kalyan and it went through at a sedate speed. It was time to bid goodbye to the quadruple track section and we on our way towards Igatpuri. As the train negotiated various curves, I could study the red-yellow rake behind me. And the WCAM-1 had a nice, two-toned horn that would fade away in the end. A howler got attached at Kasara. But it was Igatpuri that I was really waiting for, since that meant that I would be under AC traction. The loco change was fun - our WCAM-1 gave way to a dark-blue-with-yellow stripe WAM-4, most probably from BSL shed. Yippee, I would be right next to a Wammie for the next 3.5 hours or so! And then we were on our way - around 9.00am, I think. I had traveled so many times in the IGP-BSL section (as part of my Varanasi trips) but this would be my first ever trip on a superfast train that was supposed to go non-stop till BSL. Moreover, this was the only train to skip Nasik Road and Manmad at that time. Jalgaon was being skipped by two trains - Gitanjali and Jhelum.
The train gave a taste of its might at Nasik Road itself - it simply BLASTED through it, raising a cloud of dust. A magical moment!!! It slowed down precariously at Manmad but, thankfully, went through the station. Then it made its first unscheduled halt at Nandgaon. And, then non-stop to Bhusaval going through Chalisgaon, Pachora, Jalgaon. I watched the loco change with mixed feelings of joy and sadness - sad to see the WAM-4 go away but thrilled to see a WDM-2 take over.
I think we left around BSL around 1.00pm. It was beginning to get real hot but I remember the train staff coming in at regular intervals with drinks and snacks. Absolutely, no unauthorized passengers! The coach had been cleaned and there didn't seem to be any visible traces of dirt. Usually my mom banishes me to the upper berth but for some reason, I got the privilege of being in the lower berth for that afternoon. Enjoyed the train going through Malkapur, Jalamb and Shegaon. Then came Akola - a halt for 5 minutes. And then, I dozed off and woke up only when the train slowed down almost to a halt at Wardha - a couple of people got off from the moving train. I guess they didn't realize that the train doesn't halt there and were caught by surprise. Nagpur was due to arrive around 7.00pm but we were at NGP outer around 6.30pm itself and were made to wait there. By this time, it had cooled off!
At Nagpur, we were met by some relatives. And then the train departed towards Durg. Since it was beginning to get dark, I was probably focusing more on the sounds including the loud ALCO chugs right next to me. After enjoying a hearty meal of puri-sabzi and thair sadam (curd rice) all home-made, it was time to sleep. Boo-hoo! It was time to bid goodbye to the lower berth - my cruel mom. But I HAD to be up around 11.00pm so as to witness the loco change at Durg. And, instinctively, I got up around 10.30pm and was off to the door and watched the proceedings from inside - not allowed to open it. I still recall the AC masts appear along with catenary - hurray, we would be soon on AC territory. Hardly anyone at Durg! What followed was a quiet loco exchange with myself as the lone spectator. A WAM-4 with the traditional red-yellow- stripe-with-dip-in-front livery got attached. After a 15-mt halt, the train was on its way.
No more ALCO chugs but a soothing WAM-4 horn! Back to sleep....somehow I woke up when the train was standing at Bilaspur - PF1. So no idea whether train actually went through Raipur - it was not a halt at that time. And then I vividly remember this - I was standing at the door and saw the signal turn green, the WAM-4 let out a long, melodious sound and we inched ahead. That is my earliest memory of Bilaspur! When I woke up, it was dawn - I think we were getting close to Raurkela.
The train quietly pulled into Raurkela - I don't think there was much activity at that time. What I remember about the trip till Tata was that we went through a forest area with plenty of curves. And the train made an unscheduled halt at Chakradharpur much to my chagrin :-( Tata was reached around 7.30am. Much to my surprise, the Bombay- Howrah Mail was standing in the adjacent platform. My uncle (who was there to receive us) informed me that all Howrah-bound trains were being terminated at Tata due to a rail bandh at Calcutta. The poor Marwari family had no option but to get down at Tatanagar. We exchanged pleasantries and were on our way to Adityapur. And, thus, ended my first journey on the mighty Gitanjali!
I was to travel again on the same train (actually it was a holiday special version of the Gitanjali but with the same schedule and rake) 6 months later till Howrah, but that journey never quite matched the charm of the first one!