BTJL/Bhatkal (2 PFs)

भटकल

ಭಟ್ಕಳ

Track: Single Electric-Line

Travelled in 16336 NCJ GIMB on 7-8 of this month in SL class.

This might be my last ICF coach journey.

The train was nearly an hour late when it arrived at ERN...
more...

and I had smelled an OT by 16316 KCVL MYS Exp.
And we were overtaken by it at ERN, the first of 5 overtakes (Only 2, including this were the scheduled OTs).

Slept after SRR and had a nice jerk-free sleep (This was the best sleep I had in my recent train journeys). Woke up around 5 am and thought we entered KR and we were held for crossing as the train slowed. To my surprise, I heard 'Yathrakaarude Sradheykku' which means 'Passengers your attention please'. I was astonished and I ran down from my Upper Berth and found that we were in Kasargod. Departed quickly and reached Ullal around 5:30 am. We were held for 1hr there and was overtaken by TVC NZM Raj and MAQ bound West Coast. Then spotted Vistadome coach for the first time with MAJN-YPR-Karwar Exp.
Entered Konkan and we were given less priority by the KR controllers. Only the LTT ERS DR was held for us.
We were held for other trains. We were OT'd by ERS NZM DR, and by MAQ MAO VB. Many trains crossed us and we were held at almost all stations enroute. I got down at all stations where all we stopped due to fantastic KR controlling. Reached somehow at MAO around noon.

A few pics:
1. BMTC liveried WDP 4D #40279 at MAJN
2. LGD WAP 7 #39264 with ERS NZM DR overtaking us at Kundapura
3. Train board
4. My coach
5. 20646 VB overtaking us at Bhatkal