Experiencing the WAP-7 Part -02 The Outward Run

Smoothly we pulled out SC weaving through the points and slowly getting onto the main line. We slowly prodded forward till lallaguda shed where the train got a proceed signal and the driver began to unleash the reins on the 6200 horses he had below his legs. The train lunged forward and picked up speed smoothly. The experience was similar to having overpowered bankers push a train on the
Bhor ghat towards Pune. Suddenly the terrain didn't seem to matter, flying through MLY at 90 kmph full horns blaring, we were only slowed down by the cross over point at the MLY bypass line entrance to 45 kmph. The driver was careful and not applying maximum power as there were restrictions till cherlapalli station. Clearing cheralpalli at 75 kmph, the driver applied full power and we were racing forward to the 90 kmph curve, a further thrust of power to MAX TE put us at 110 kmph in no time and we were flying through the Yanampet LC at Ghatkesar at MPS.

The ride was butter smooth with hardly any vibration or jerking which is quite common in other locos. The gradients of NFC nagar and many others were a small task for the WAP-7 and we crossed bhongir at 16.53 pm exactly 33 minutes out of SC pf-09 and covered 47 kms with caution orders in 33 minutes. This type of running continued till Kazipet which we reached at 17.55 which was 14 minutes before time. We had effective covered 132 Km in 1hr and 35 minutes with caution orders and no stoppages en route.

We lost quite a bit of time on the stretches upto Dornakal, but the driver made up good time and we reached madhira at 20.35 pm 13 minutes late due to enormous section traffic and caution orders. From madhira, the driver went MAX TE straight after the points and was at kondapalli at 21.10 pm. We then crawled into BZA outer by 21.20 pm 30 minutes before time and were held there till 21.45 pm and then admitted on to PF-06 of BZA right time.

The next day after a quick darshan at the durga temple at 04.30 am, i
reached the station to find WAP-7 30253 coupled and ready to take me to SC. Boarding the coach i waited with a heavy anticipation as the return run had to be more powerful and challenging on the loco as we had to climb an altitude of almost 300 meters to reach SC. The BZA_SC stretch also has the most challenging grades for any section and is very tough for any loco. The load was again 22 bogies. There was also a different crew on the return link from BZA-SC.

The Home Run Continues in part 03