M.G.Emu's of Chennai...
(Thanks Pradeep for reminding me that I've not written about trains yet...)
Those of you in the know (and by that I mean, who have lived a significant amount of time in Chennai, especially the central and southern parts) must have come across the stock of the M.G. Electric Multiple Unit trains rolling and yawing and gently lolling along the iron tracks doing their regular runs between suburban Tambaram and Chennai (Madras) Beach Jn. 
M.G.Emus...erstwhile lifeline of south Madras, now relegated to the scrap heap...(photo courtesy IRFCA,photo copyright "Poochi Venkat" 
The venerable old trains are no longer in service though, removed from service when the clock struck midnight and turned onto July 1, 2004. 
The moon only serves to enhance the nightfall on the life and times of the M.G. Emu in Chennai. This long exposure night shot in the wee early hours of July 1, 2004 just after the last commercial MG Emu service had been run, serves as a poignant reminder to something we will not see again in Chennai..the gently rocking and rolling pitter-patter of these trains....photo courtesy IRFCA,photo copyright "Jason Antony"
Ever since the humble beginnings as a direct current driven three-car rake in April 1931, these trains evolved into the conscience of people who grew up along the route served by the trains. So much, that they became part of the social life. It was not uncommon to see people fraternizing amongst fellow-travellers. Many a life-long friendships were born in the often-crowded, usually-cramped, but always rolling and rocking and lolling cars of the local trains (as they came to be called in the parlance that is uniquely desi). And this affection extended to the trains as well..so much so that people sent the train off in variously unique and not-so-unique ways. And the venerable Southern Railway, bless their souls, even accepted to run a special on July 1 just to honor the sentiment of the hundreds of thousands of riders. 
Who says machines cannot evoke emotions from people? These people, apparently regular users of the services, were distributing candies and sweets as parting gift to the riders of the last train....(photo courtesy IRFCA,photo copyright "Poochi Venkat"
Yours truly fell in love with them sometime during the early 80s, when the rapidly burgeoning population of suburban southern Madras began to rely more on these to get to their destinations. Through the years, it evolved into more avatars than the average Bollywood movie star changes clothing during one song. But unlike the movie stars though, the avatars were never garish, and always beneficial..
My earliest recollection of these cutesy trains were when they were in off-white or silvery painted livery. They then went Gang Green....as in, Southern Railway went ahead and re-painted them rakes in a deep green, which, IMO was the best livery that these trains have ever had. Though they never made a comeback on the venerable MG rakes, they are now widely prevalent in their successor - the wide-bodied BG rakes.
The Green Monster...not the one in Boston's Fenway...but the massive one that runs now in place of the MG Emus in Chennai...these trains provide enhanced capacity and increased rider comfort, but they are so plastic and do not have half the charm of the trundly MG trains. And they are BIG.. photo courtesy IRFCA,photo copyright "Poochi Venkat"
But the livery that has been the most prevalent is the ones you see in the first photo above. In between undergoing cosmetic changes though, the trains underwent functional changes as well. Reflecting increased ridership, 8-car rakes were made into 9-car rakes. Improved signalling and increased coordination with the city government led to reduction of number of grade-crossings (level-crossings in Indian parlance) which then improved the punctuality.
Ultimately, what stands out for me is the fact that these little trains, restricted to operative speeds of 55kmph could still give you the impression of speed, what with the way it would huff and puff and trundle merrily, rolling and weaving its way through the city. And during those times when Chennai gets lashed by rains and roads are akin to navigating an obstacle course, it is these venerable trains that gave the safe way of passage to many commuters.
And now that these trains are out of service, it is time to move on and establish bonds with the beasts that have replaced them..the huge and impersonal looking widebody EMUs. But hey, isnt it only a matter of time before people fall in love with the BG emus as well?
8 comments:
Have you heard of any plan to upgrade existing MRTS coaches to resemble Delhi Metro's?
No I have not heard of any such measure, and neither did I come across some such discussion on the IRFCA forum.
Honestly, I doubt if they would upgrade the MRTS rakes to DMRC type rakes. ICF Chennai has invested some time and effort in upgrading and improving the features of the current rakes and I doubt, if they would scrap that soon enough.
Plus, unlike the DMRC with its underground run, there is no need for the MRTS rakes to have the sealed windows and slide doors. Yes they would contribute to improved look and feel, but it is probably money spent well elsewhere, like improving speed for e.g.
But yes, if they would bring in that type rakes exclusively for use in the MRTS route, it would be wonderful.
I understand that the ones in service are newer and is intended to be used for sometime into the future. But if they have been built with no provision to recycle them elsewhere, I then doubt if that's a good design. This is certainly not to undermine ICF's yrs of experience. Just MHO.
On the other hand, think it is time we graduate from doing things only that are necessary -TO- stuff that are attractive also (WYGIWYG). Afterall that's how businesses these days work. We have long been subjected to the service-only mentality of Nehruvian era. While we intend to progress in the capitalistic sense in several other areas, I feel it'll make sense to encourage similar ventures in govt-run organizations. Alright, now all this, to just moot the point that we could opt for DMRC style rakes. Not the exact kind but similarly attractive. ISRO could be roped in to help decide on Ind'l Design (which then will involve cheaper materials)...or the DRDO. These organizations have people who have made careers out of research and are frustrated to have to tackle lobbyists. This could then prove to be an outlet.
Related: "Powerful lobby stalling defence projects"
An excellent point, no doubt. And it is heading in that direction,but in agonizingly slow fits and spurts. Look at the German-styled rakes for the Rajdhani and Shatabdi being introduced. And also the streamlined DEMU that was introduced in some coastal AP line recently.
Hopefully we will see progress in that direction soon. As it is, I suspect either DRDO or ISRO is involved in some way, because the new rakes that ICF is introducing, is aluminum-bodied lightweight rakes with improved handling and efficiency. Now it is just a matter of getting them to sign-off on the beautification phase as well....
I loved sifting through TGV pages. What was interesting (apart from the technological marvels) was the fact that an effort that has now been taken for granted had to struggle during its early days for want of funding and trust.
Gives us lots of hope.
I couldnt find a place in the IRFCA pages or elsewhere, on the kind of research that is going on within the IR establishment. Point me to a source if you come across.
Have seen the AP rakes that you are talking about. We have wonderful engineers but probably not that many Industrial designers. Desperately need people of the Dilip Chabria-kind.
Here's an interesting addition to this discussion. News that the Western Railway officials had come up with an idea to allow commuters decide on the design for the then soon-to-be-launched Mumbai Suburban railway.
News link (Dated Nov25, 2004).
Using consumer feedback would be a wonderful way of designing the interiors. I do hope that based on the results of that feedback, they introduce such features in EMUs being run elsewhere in the country.
WR has been pretty active as far as railway modernization goes and also in terms of becoming consumer savvy (see LHB coaches for Rajdhani, all A/C specials, stops for trains in heavy-rush suburban areas, etc). The same Yahoo group you mention has had lots of Mumbaikars who report the complete contrast in the operations of Central Railways and Western Railways, both based in Mumbai. I do hope it catches on elsewhere...
5 years from St. Thomas Mount to my school in W.Mambalam & 4 years of College to Tambaram - I just missed a decade of asscciation!! When I was in school I used to even remember the coach numbers :)
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