VSG/Vasco-da-Gama (3 PFs)

वास्को-द-गामा

वास्को-द-गामा

Track: Construction - Electric-Line Doubling

Travelled end to end in the "Night Rider" of Goa Londa section yesterday i.e. on 14th August 2024 from VSG to YPR with my father as he had some work at Bengaluru.
It was running with extra SL coach yesterday and loco link was Namma KJM WDP4D #40438.

The best overnight rail journey I had in a long time now. My...
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coach was S5 middle berth. The rake was parked at SVM railway station and only moved to VSG at around 21.00 around 2 hours before journey placed on PF1. And the extra coach attachment was completed at 22.50 just 5 minutes before scheduled departure. 🤦 Lot of confusion among passengers of AC coaches and GS as those were detached and taken to pitline where the extra coach was placed. As a result train departed late by 25 minutes. Finally arrived YPR 20 minutes late at 12.50 as it took unscheduled halt at BAW and stranded at YPR outers for a good 20 minutes otherwise ontime arrival was very much possible.

Overall journey was pretty great after a long time enjoyed an overnight rail journey. No overcrowding in SL coaches, the coach was pretty clean including the toilets and basins kudos to the passengers too. Really LHB conversion of the train has clear benefits comfort wise atleast. Even at 110kph the MPS in UBL YPR section the ride was pretty smooth compared to my previous ICF travels at same speeds. Inspite of my berth being near to toilets no smell to foil the trip.
Tea, water and refreshments by IRCTC were always available since morning all the way till journey end.

I would give the train following ratings:
Cleanliness and maintenance 9.5/10.
Speed and punctuality 7/10.
Food and catering 9.5/10.
Comfort in SL class 10/10.
RFing 10/10 (though you won't enjoy Dudhsagar and Braganza Ghats but the route from UBL to YPR is pretty good too and FEDL also 664kms of end to end diesel journey is treat for diesel loco lovers. 😀

This is really one the best of trains of SWR. Kudos to SWR and the passengers for maintaining the train clean and good. Pretty friendly co-passengers and Railway officials too. My co-passenger was a guy from Chennai living in Goa he had to use this train to travel to YPR and later on take a bus to Chennai as direct VSG MAS express is not running now to VSG.

My coach S5 is 2020 ICF manufactured one.

I had file RTI asking SWR when will they extend this train back to VSG answer was after 2nd pitline is commissioned at VSG but when you ask in RTI when they will commission the pitline they say it's already done.
The truth is they have already commissioned 2nd pitline at VSG in early 2023 but they have not constructed catwalk for full length on one side so as of now it's only used for stabling spare coaches and for doing PM of VSG Azara parcel special train.

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today I have filed a grievance on pgportal regarding the issue, hoping for a positive reply soon.

Landslide near DUDHSAGAR : Late Running trains from VASCO

Dudhsagar Landslide: Trains Delayed From Vasco

On date, i.e. 26th July 2024, at 00:55 hours land slide occurred between Dudhsagar and Sonalium section and...
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trees have fallen between Londa - Tinai ghat section in Hubballi division duly affecting OHE power supply.

Trains in the Video
1) 17310 / Vasco-da-gama - Yesvantpur Express with 40395 KJM WDP4D running late by 7 hours 30 minutes

2) 17321 / Vasco-da-gama - Jasidih Express with 40448 UBL WDP4D running late by 4 hours 40 minutes

3) 18048 / Vasco-da-gama - Shalimar Amaravati Express with 20045 + 40007 GOOTY WDP4 running late by 3 hours

4) 17420 / 17022 - Vasco-da-gama - Tirupati / Hyderabad Express with 40016 GOOTY WDP4B running late by 4 hours 40 minutes