In 2009, I had a train ride from Bangalore to Madras(Chennai). To be honest, the trip was really good. I was impressed by the comfort and feel of the A/C chair cars in the "Shatabdi express" that hardly stopped anywhere during the 1000 km journey.
I felt this way because I am from the "railway-deficient state" Kerala. Back there, we still have the diesel locomotives for the northern part (North to Shornur Junction). Even the tracks were just single track almost 5 years ago. That was fun. Your train would suddenly stop nowhere for no apparent reason. You look out of the window and notice another track running parallel to the track you are in. You may wonder where the parallel track appeared from? Suddenly a thundering WDM-2 loco will roar pass pulling numerous brown cars -and you realize that you were giving way to another train...and the double tracks were just to deviate for such good times.
Like any other kid I was also a big fan of trains. During our road trips from Kannur to Kozhikode ( through national highway with 4 railroad crossings) I would pray that we get stopped at least in one of those so that I can catch a glimpse of those wild trains. Though trains in Kerala still suck, all over India, it has improved a long way. WDM-2, the massive diesel beast is not to be seen in most of the places.
