Place: Beach Junction (Boarding station)
Train: Chennai Beach junction-tirumaalpur Local
Time: 17.00 p.m.
Compartment: IClass
Train journeys have always fascinated me right from my childhood. Chennai, then Madras, had a unique distinction of having Meter gauge suburban EMU'S. That was phased out thanks to the uni gauge system.
In those days, Kanchipuram passengers (earlier, it was called like that)were running on "main line" (express train used to run on this track) . The trains were usually hauled by electric locomotive upto chengalpattu from there by a diesel locomotive/ steam Engine.
Things have changed after 2006. Nowadays EMU's are running on this sector.There are circular trains connecting Chennai Beach-Kanchipuram-Arakonam. Not just one shuttle, multiple shuttles are plying everyday on both up and down lines. Indicating the size of greater chennai and burgeoning population.
Beach station is the boarding station for the office returnees since the station is ideally located next to the major Government offices and trading centres. The regular passengers hold "season tickets" to commute between state capital and the historical temple town.
Missing this train means that these passengers would have to depend on the state transport corporation buses which will ultimately be a circuitious and tiresome journey.
Many a commuter have become best pals thanks to regular commuting.The seat sharing formula may always bring a bitter rivalary to the political parties . But, these "seasoned commuters" are aware of the "capturing seats". They normally board train at the fort station (this station is ahead of the beach junction ,actually,regular EMU's between chennaibeach-tambaran being converted into kanchipuram local on reaching the beach station) and place their hankies on the seats signalling that the seats are being reserved. Everything is done before the train is designated as kanchi local that's how experience comes handy.Remember, there is no reservation system in the suburbans trains.
The significance of travelling in the ''first class'' is that you are allowed to indulge in ''chick'', '' bird'', ''buzzard'' watching because there is only iron partition between the ladies compartment and the ''first'' class compartment . Inside the compartment , various activities goes on like chit chatting, playing chess, card games, . Sudennly, a batch of beggars making a beeline to multiply their collections.
The ladies carry out vegetable-chopping activities or make a garland for the puja next day (here, one may see third or fourth generation flower vendors associated with this train doing brisk business during the journey) since they spend more time in travelling so they finish off their supplementary chores inside the train itself.
You may ask why the name of the train is chennai beach -tirumaalpur but, we have discussed about Kanchipuram because there is no supporting yard at kanchipuram railway station to station the train.
This train had a nickname called ''paul vandi'' (milk train ) in the past.The milk vendors of adjoining districts of chennai used to send their milk in this service. There used to be a seperate compartment for this purposealone.But, now the situation has changed
