The Vande Bharat (Train-18) Journey

 The Vande Bharat Journey

Train-18 Or The Vande Bharat is the most talked about or most Build-up Topic in India Since it came into Service, After Many controversies, The 3rd Rake Was manufactured after a gap of 2 years and allotted to Western Railway. The 3rd Rake did many Trials before getting into service. It was flagged off by Pm Narendra Modi on 30th Sep Between Gandhinagar Capital to Mumbai Central. After a wait of Over a month, we decided to have a journey on the Vande Bharat Express. I along with Himanshu Mukerjee And Parth Ahya were traveling in Vande Bharat for the first time. Tickets were booked and we were all set for the journey which was on 29th Oct 2022.  The chart was prepared a day before, there were 39 seats empty in CC and 15 seats empty in Ec

The Day Of Journey

Kandivali station at 4:30 am looked so haunted that hardly any passenger was there. The first locals towards Borivali arrived at Kandivali station, Took 4:40 Borivali – Churchgate slow local from Kandivali. Parth joined me from Malad station and Himanshu was meeting us directly at Mumbai central station. Brc Wap7 37571 with Lokshakti Express on Sta line was running parallel from Goregaon station.  Early Morning Travelling Vibes are truly different in Mumbai local train. Brc Wap-7 30814 with Ekta Nagar Dadar SF Express overtook us at Santacruz station. Our Local was made to halt extra time at Lower Parel as we were running 6 mins Before time, Brc wap7 39065 was getting Ready after reversal at the mmct yard to get attached to Shatabdi Express. Shatabdi Express was already shunted on Mumbai Central.

We Reached Mumbai central at 5:30 am and had to wait for Himanshu to arrive. We went to the Mumbai central Express terminal. The Morning at Mumbai central was very busy as 3 back-to-back departures were there. Gujarat Express Passengers were in hurry to catch the train while Shatabdi and Vande Bharat passengers were a bit slow. Everyone at Mumbai Central Terminal Was clicking photos of the Vande Bharat Express. Even we took photos with the train and later walk down to our Coach. Our coach was in middle C9. We had the Tc coach or the coach with a pantograph. We boarded the coach. The Interior of the Train was impressive. The Leg spaces were also good. Charging sockets were available below the seats. The only Bad thing was we didn’t have a proper seat with a Window on our side.  The announcement stated that Doors of Trains are closing and Trains Doors were Closed 1 min before the Departure Time. We Departed from Mumbai Central Right on time. After going to the Main Line and Doing the Brake Test. Experience the Superb acceleration of Train-18. Dadar skip was at 100 kmph. After Crossing Dadar newspapers were given.  Newspapers in English, Marathi, and Gujarati were available on the train. Had slowed Down Before Bandra considering a Local train ahead of us. After passing, Khar Water bottles were given (Rail neer). We nearly halted at Andheri outer. After Crossing Andheri station Ready Made ( instant ) Tea packet + biscuit was given. Another pantry guy came with a special Vande Bharat Cup and Hot water. Jaipur – Mumbai Central Gangaur Sf Express Crossed us at Jogeshwari station. Slowed Down at Kandivali station at 6:37 and started crawling to Borivali outer. We picked up speed from station outer, slowed down to 50 kmph Psr at Borivali station at 6:41 picked up speed, and was at 110 kmph in no time near Daishar station. Ranakpur Express Crossed us between Daishar and Niagaon station. We Skipped Bhayender at 6:47 crossing with the 20c memu crossing us. Saw The Sunrising from Bhayendar creek. We Skipped Vasai Road at 6:52 at 100 kmph. Virar skip was at 6:56 am at 100 kmph Running with a delay of 10 mins. As soon as we crossed the Virar Lc in No time train reached 130 kmph.

The Acceleration of Train-18 is just awesome. Slowed Down at Vtn North bridge and south bridge following the PSR. And started crawling after we crossed Saphale. As Gujarat Express was just ahead. We Crawled from Saphale to an almost Dead halt at kelve Road outer. Skipped Kelve Road at 07:14 Overtaking Gujarat Express at 20 kmph as there was Tsr at the North End of Kelve Road station. After negotiating the Tsr We picked up speed again Mumbai Rajdhani Crossed us and in no time, we achieved 130 kmph before palghar station. We skipped Dahanu Road at 7:35 am. Breakfast was served after crossing Dahanu Road. The Menu for Breakfast was Dal vada, Dhokla, Thepla, Fruit Juice, Dahi, Aloo ki sabzi, Britannia Bar Fruit Cake. We did Mps throughout the stretch till Vapi. We slowed down at Vapi outer for the halt. We Reached Vapi at 07:59. Doors Opening announcements were made in the coach on which side the doors will open. Lhf wdg-4 with Bgkt – Bdts SPL was skipping Vapi Station at 20 kmph as there was Tsr. We asked Pantry Guy to make us a coffee at Vapi, and the pantry guy made us a very good coffee. The staff was very good and helpful. The toilets were also well-maintained and cleaned. Housing-keeping Staff were making sure toilets don't get dirty and can coaches are well cleaned.

 We Departed From Vapi on time. The Acceleration was just superb. After Taking a few photos of the Pantry gallery, Coach. I decided to Visit the back cab, I went to the back cab. The Door was open in the back cab, Train Guard and Medha staff were inside the cab, Took a small video of us passing atul station and then I returned to my coach, just when I entered the C8 coach Train started to slow down rapidly and braking was so hard I was pushed ahead And While I entered my Coach train had nearly come to a standstill. And just when I reached my seat parth instantly Told me it was a Cro. We walked down 2 EC and 8 CC coaches and reached ahead. In C1 the train Captain was asking everyone not to come ahead and remain seated in their seats. The C&W staff had already rushed to the front end of the train, Water Pumps had Been Damaged and The Nose cone was been removed. Later I returned to my seat and Himanshu went to the front cab. The train was unable to move when Lp was trying to move it. The Train was Shut Down, and All the Lights and Ac were off.  The train was turned on; the lights came back and the Pis system was On Lp tried to Move it again but didn’t move. Lp turned the train Off again and Restarted the whole System. Pis system started and the lights were On when Lp tried Train Moved at 5 kmph for a few distances and then again stopped. Then Ac was turned ON and the train started to roll, Parth and Himanshu Both returned to their seat, Himanshu showed the photo of the Damage nose cone being put inside the coach near the cab door, and both Water pumps of C1 was damaged and the coach few equipments were isolated. The train was stopped from 8:17 to 8:43. Shatabdi Express was standing just 1 block section behind us. Train Picked up Speed and we were again touching MPs in no time even after a hard hit by Cattle. 

We Skipped Valsad at 8:47 at 100 kmph. Wag12 with Freight crossed us at Valsad. The train Achieved a Max speed of 130 kmph after Crossing Valsad station. Skipping Billimora at 8:55 and overtaking a memu. We Skipped Navsari at 9:05 Flat at 130 kmph. We slowed down while we were entering Udhana Jn at 09:18. Were Impress by the way it had entered Surat without even slowing down at outers, and we entered Surat at 9:23. After getting off We all three rush to the front cab of the train. Train staff was already working near the nose section, removing a few parts of the cone with the hammer. And other few staff trying to fix the water pump and the battery box which was damaged. Nothing could be repaired in those 5 mins' time. The SS, SM in Coordination with the Train lp/guard Ask them to depart Surat and Train Departed from Surat at 9:32. 12009 Mumbai – Ahmedabad Shatabdi Express entered Surat at 9:39 am. 

This was Our Journey In Vande Bharat From Mumbai To Surat. And in Return, we took 12936 Which also got overtaken by Vande Bharat After being looped for 32 mins at palghar station. That’s how Our Journey or Our Days was While traveling.