A day of the Squads...

I had some Urgent job at my college, and I set out in the morning. I took the 0805 Thane EMU from Vashi. That was a new rake, and the windows did not have the protective mesh! It was fun traveling on the EMU. Just as the train pulled into Koparkhairane, a squad of atleast 15 Ticket Checkers, and an equal number of RPF personnel pranced on to all passengers who got down at the station. Atleast 10 ticketless passengers were caught from my coach alone at the station. They were taken to the SM's office. A set of about 5 Checkers got into my coach and started checking. They got another 5 offenders standing at the door, and an equal number sitting inside! Out of the 10, 1 preferred to pay up the fine (Which was Rs. 260). The others were detrained at Ghansoli, and handed over to RPF! The checking continued till Thane. I reached Thane at around 0830, and immediately went to my college.

I reached the station back at 1140. I had to got to the University for some work, and wanted to reach there only after 1330. (The counter opens only then!). I decided to check out the Netravati Express today. There were about 3 RPF personnel sitting at the end of Platform 7. I walked up to the Kalyan end of Platform 5/6. A twin WCAM3 hauled BCNA rake rushed through. A dead Valsad WAG5 (#2444X) was also attached right behind the twin locos. Shortly after the twins rushed through, The Netravati express pulled in behind WDM3A #18558 of Erode.

I took a pic of the loco as the train moved out covering me from the RPF guys! I stood at the Kalyan end of Platform 5/6. WCG2 #20115 was waiting at the Home signal with the Hyderabad-Mumbai Express. The train was cleared right after the Netravati entered the main line. The loco made a beautiful approach to the station...



I went over to Platform 4 after the express cleared. A WCAG1 (#21970) rushed towards Kalyan with a tanker rake. I took a Slow EMU to Kurla, and then went to the University. I returned back to Kurla by around 1500. I took the 1506 EMU to Vashi, and drove back home...

The photos of the day are HERE!

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