Traveled by
the Mumbai local train after a long time. I was on my way to CST (Victoria
Terminus) to catch the Deccan Queen. Being a Sunday, I was spared of the
usual office rush. I couldn’t help but compare travelling by the local, a few
decades ago. The rakes looked better and the inside was more airy and brighter.
It was good to see the inclusion of an announcing system inside the bogie
(with a display on an electronic board)
The Indian
Railways had third class bogies too which were scrapped sometime in the sixties.
While
crossing over from the Western Railway to the Central Railway, I was happy to
see the absence of the hawkers on the foot over bridge.
It was good
to see some familiar sights and landmarks, like the tower of the Railway
Hospital at Byculla.
While
alighting at CST, I noticed the big clock. Reminded me of the times when I used
to wait to see the big hand move, which looked like an enormous task,
considering the size of the clock.
There was a
mural at the station of how Victoria Terminus looked during the British era.
The "statue of progress" which is about 17 ft tall stands atop the dome. I recall reading in the papers (some where in the late sixties) that the head of the statue was broken when lightening struck the dome. It was replaced by a perfect replica (made by the students of the JJ
school of Arts which is situated across the road)
The above picture was the
last one I clicked before boarding the Deccan Queen to proceed to Pune.
Talking of Pune, I remember the days when we used to travel down south, the only stretch of electrified line was between Mumbai and Pune. Further down it was the good old steam engine.
While travelling in Deccan Queen, there was this guy from the pantry car who talked politely and served every one with a cheerful smile. His face looked familiar and I clicked his picture in haste.
Talking of Pune, I remember the days when we used to travel down south, the only stretch of electrified line was between Mumbai and Pune. Further down it was the good old steam engine.
While travelling in Deccan Queen, there was this guy from the pantry car who talked politely and served every one with a cheerful smile. His face looked familiar and I clicked his picture in haste.
It was only
later I realized that he looked very much like the fruit vendor who sits at the
street corner close to my residence.
