Mumbai - Goa - Mumbai: August 2002 - a trip of a lifetime
by the Gang - Aditya, Ramnath, Ayan, Nirmal, Geena & Rajan

One of the best journeys ever in IR in my life was undoubtedly on the high speed Janshatabdi Express, which I selected as my train of choice for my long awaited weekend break to Goa. Travelling along with me was my wife Geena, my brother Nirmal and my good old pals, Aditya, Ramnath & Ayan. 

We started on 9th August 2002, on the 2051 Janshatabdi Express from Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (Kurla, Mumbai). Infact, I was so excited, I didn't sleep the previous night, as I made all the preparations the travel plans, schedules n all. Undoubtedly, the train journey was itself an enthralling experience. Its just like travelling by plane (economy class if you opt for second class seats on this train). Morning tea n biscuits was served at 0600 just as we pulled out of Thane at our seats, which has tables just like in a plane. We pulled into Panvel at 0635, and breakfast (Veg. Cutlet, Bread and another round of tea) was served soon after departure from Panvel. 

Our train began a steady high speed cruise as we moved at Roha from CR to Konkan Railway territory, handover being 5 mins ahead of schedule. Generally the day was wet so I couldn't get my camera out without running the risk of it getting it wet. So I couldn't get any pix while traveling out. The train was galloping at an incredible speed and never have I passed stations so quickly in my life. Chiplun came, and we managed to get onto the platform for some fresh air amidst a drizzle. After an hour, Ratnagiri came and it was pouring like crazy. we could only look out of the door and watch how passengers just in running from the train to the shelter got half drenched. 

It was crazy rain for the next three quarters of an hour as we made our way to Kankavali. This was the time we explored the train and walked right upto the front. being an off season weekday, the load on the train was thin and the first three coaches were practically empty. We sat in the first SL coach just behind the engine for a good deal of time, and it was an amazing experience to hear the engine roar (a smooth n quiet one at that) a very different experience from other IR engines. We hoped that we could pop by and meet the driver at Kankavali, but rain again was the spoilsport. 

We made our way back to our seats where lunch was being served. The menu (loaded on at Ratnagiri) was egg curry, dal, rice and roomali roti (thin and big more like a bed sheet as we joked). We combined it with some fried chicken which we carried from home to make it the truly complete meal. entering into Goa the weather was much more clearer and pleasant. We came to know that KR has now made Thivim as a halt for the Janshatabdi, and at Thivim we crossed the Delhi bound Rajdhani Express, hauled by WDP2 15501. Cruising over the Mandovi and Zuari Rivers and the Sancoale Creek n Cortalim Viaducts, we pulled into Madgaon at 1318, a clear 12 mins ahead of schedule. 

Our return journey was on the 11th August, 2002 and we departed from Madgaon at 1410 on the dot. Lunch (From Madgaon base kitchen) was served by Karmali, and the same menu of egg curry and all the rest for the non-veg folks like me. the return journey was relatively clear with the sun peeking out on many occasions allowing us to hang out near the door and enjoy the string breeze that flowed in and soak in the spectacular scenery that was made even more so because of the freshness of the rains. We pulled out of Kudal, to be served our afternoon tea n biscuits, a tad bit early I daresay, pulling into Kankavali. Pushing along, that day was all by the door sides for the entire gang, just soaking in the scenic beauty and enjoying high speed rail travel Indian ishtyle. A three minute halt allowed our dinner to be loaded from Ratnagiri base kitchen, as we crossed the ERS bound Mangala Express here. Chiplun was a pleasant evening, and we all had a picture outside the train (will be posted soon). The train took a extraordinary 10 min halt here to allow for water filling.  Dinner was served by Kolad (the last KR station), and the train reached Roha, well in time for handover. 

Now if you've been wondering why I have talked so much about food, well its a significant part of Indian Rail travel, that eating is a great ritual on a journey which is normally long drawn (except for those on the lookout for Delhi Belly ha ha) Anyway here's lots of food for thought too... detailed noting of timings of run (yes, I noted timings even as I was eating.. ha ha) and some classic pictures to provide a complete narrative of the Janshatabdi Experience. Seven Pictures come as a part of the first installment. More pictures are to be added to the lot as they are made ready.

One Interesting thing of note is the fact that the Janshatabdi used to stop outside or at stations ahead of time to allow the line to be cleared for it to proceed. Timings are indicated in the accompanying log table to give an accurate picture of how the train actually makes its run. The disappointment was when the train crawled in CR territory between Roha and Panvel, and was delayed at Diva too for an ordinary train (incoming Tulsi Express), certainly a treatment that does not befit this great train. 

Hope you enjoyed this travel account, and may you also enjoy this great journey one fine day....