03 August,2016 07:14 AM IST | | Shashank Rao
Talgo, the fastest train with Indian Railways, was delayed by torrential rain and signal failures, and pulled into Mumbai over one-and-a-half hours late
The unforgiving monsoon brought even the beast to its knees. Talgo, the high speed, lightweight Spanish-made train, yesterday completed its first trial run from New Delhi to Mumbai. But instead of being jubilant, Indian Railways authorities were left red-faced. The fastest train in the Indian Railways was delayed by torrential rain and signal failures, and pulled into Mumbai over one-and-a-half hours late.
Also Read: Photos: Spain Talgo train's trial run in Mumbai
The Talgo train pulls into Mumbai Central yesterday. Pics/Nimesh Dave
Senior railway officials said after leaving Delhi, the train gradually picked up a speed of 150 kmph. It can touch 220 kmph, but the Railways has capped the speed at 180 kmph, said an official from Talgo. The train zipped through the Palwal-Mathura stretch, covering the 84-km stretch in just 38 minutes (at the top speed of 180 kmph). But a signal failure at Mathura slowed it down for a bit.
The train left Delhi at 7.55 pm on August 1 and reached Mumbai at 11.30 am yesterday. The Rajdhani leaves Delhi at 4.25 pm and reaches Mumbai at 8.35 am the next day
Rained out
The euphoria began to peter once the nine-car train entered Gujarat, where it was left at the mercy of the rain gods. Between Vapi and Udvada, 346 mm of rainfall - aided by a Par river in spate - inundated the tracks with 12 inches of water. The train's speed dropped sharply to 40 kmph, and even to 8-20 kmph at several locations.
The downpour became a major cause for worry since the Talgo is a 32-year-old train, and no one was particularly sure how well it could take the brunt of the Indian monsoon.
Read Story: Spanish train Talgo runs at speed of 110-115 kmph during trial
Reports of flooding and signal failures came thick and fast. "Around 2 am, the ballasts and tracks on a small bridge between Bhilwad and Vapi were washed away due to which we had to shut down all movement between Vapi and Mumbai from 2 am-4.30 am," said Mukul Jain, divisional manager (Mumbai), Western Railway (WR).
Not only Talgo but 40 long-distance trains between Surat and Mumbai also ran behind schedule.
Safety measures
Although rain played spoilsport, WR officials had earlier laid out safety measures for a clear passage to Maharashtra. They had asked their officers to ensure that cattle do not stray on the grasslands, beginning at Umbergaon and all the way to Virar. Sources said this was a nearly impossible task as it's difficult to control the movement of animals. Luckily, nothing untoward was reported.
Besides, five teams of four RPF personnel each were asked to prevent trespassing at five troublesome spots - Vasai, Borivli, Kandivli, Jogeshwari and Dadar - between Virar and Mumbai Central.
The train finally arrived at Mumbai Central at 11.35 am - over an hour and a half later than its scheduled timing of 10 am.
The train was kept at the station for public viewing for four-and-a-half hours. Visitors entered the second class executive coach of the Talgo train and got a feel of the luxury of having extra leg room.
The train's body is made of aluminium, instead of steel, making it lighter.
