• A Pune trip to cherish! – Part 2

    It was the twilight of a memorable trip to Pune. I had met my friend at his home in Narhe (Vadgaon Budruk) and spent some time with him there; after which he had driven me (by scooter) back to the station  – where we had lunch at the Rail Dhaba, followed by coffee and some…

  • A Pune trip to cherish! – Part 1

    This was a trip to Pune that I would cherish in more ways than one. Firstly, I was visiting a close friend (and an ex-colleague) at his new home in Pune for the first time. Secondly, this was my first trip by 12127 Mumbai Pune Intercity in its LHB avatar. Lastly, it was a welcome…

  • Another long Mumbai-Chennai Trip: Part 2

    Stuck with a critical project for the past week, I couldn’t find time to write Part 2 of yet another long Mumbai-Chennai train trip (by 11027 Mumbai Chennai Mail of course 😀 , starting on 14th August!) . Anyway, now that the weekend has arrived; here goes..before reading on, please refer to Part 1! https://ashwinkumar1989.online/2018/08/26/another-long-mumbai-chennai-trip-part-1/ We…

  • Another long Mumbai-Chennai Trip: Part 1

    Yes. As you might have guessed. Another long and tedious journey (not for me though! 😛 ) by the famous supercrawler – 11027 Mumbai Chennai Mail. Well, it is almost impossible to get reservation (especially in AC) in any other train; unless you book at least 3 months in advance! That too, given the day…

  • I am a Tam Brahm

    Footnote: This poem can’t be called an entirely original work. I owe a lot of the ideas (and certain facts) to the various people in India who have been at the fore of the anti-caste movement – great historical leaders like Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and Thanthai Periyar; as well as contemporary anti-caste movements – comprising…

  • An eventful Saturday Monsoon Outing by Godavari express – Part 2

    So, an eventful Saturday monsoon outing had started with my trip by 12117 LTT-MMR Godavari express; starting 7 mins late and getting further delayed by 40 mins along the way – as we came to Kasara, where the suburban services to the lines North-East of Mumbai terminated; and the beautiful Thull ghats began. Before reading…

  • An eventful Saturday Monsoon Outing by Godavari express – Part 1

    I love having a full weekend off ; especially in the monsoons. It provides you the opportunity to undertake train journeys which might otherwise have been difficult; given that there is a Mega Block on Sundays – due to which many daytime intercities usually tend to get cancelled. Moreover, the train in this case was…

  • To a smoker I meet everyday

    Every day you smoke that cigarette of yours Leaving the air around you full of toxic fumes Which coil into a gigantic serpent That turns its baleful eyes on my helpless form And slowly, but surely, slithers towards me Hissing evilly as it prepares to send me to my maker Before rearing sharply, and plunging…

  • A Saturday Night of Action at Manmad

    I will begin with the disclaimer that this is purely for railfans and rail enthusiasts; so others can read this if they like; but they are really better off giving it a pass – so that they don’t get bamboozled by all the technical jargon here! 😛 Anyway, there is a legend at the bottom…

  • Something has to give

    Something has to give After hours of frustration Hours of thankless toil Where are the fruits? Trust and rapport built Through days of understanding Days of convincing Evaporate at the eleventh hour Causing me to tear my hair out And start all over again   But are my efforts recognized? Do all those hours count?…