As a person born in the 21st century, I have never had the chance to sight, or travel in these beautiful locomotives. Thanks Mani sir, for all your videos, which provide me with the wonderful history of Indian Railways
Among those people who were travelling in all these trains, you were the one who knew that very soon these sights will be vanished. Saying in very few words, yes you are right, no thanks to project uniguage. A LOVELY video Sir.
Thanks so much. If I had known that they will get rid of MG at such a fast pace, I would have made a more determined effort to explore more MG sections in their prime. Anyway, I feel fortunate to have experienced SR MG in its glory days.
@@trainfanner47 They first dismantled the MG network, then simply allowed the YAM1 locos to rot. I am sure these locos could have given much more service had they been allowed to operate.
@@ManiVijay definitely. It's rare to see MG e locos in Asia, wish the railways at the time sensed the importance. Or atleast tried to electrify existing MG lines.
The only other country where I have seen MG electric locos is Malaysia. Only a handful of Chinese electric locos to haul goods trains. Malaysia however has many EMUs and Electric High Speed trainsets . There were 21 YAM1s of which 19 were brutally scrapped. One was taken to CLW and the other to Madras ICF Rail Museum in a semi-scrapped condition and partly restored. The pantos are not the original ones as the of orientation of a YAM1 panto is opposite that of a WAP4.
It's very nice to hear that you love for MG started in Perungalattur. Would love to get more details on that and how that happened. Were you living near Tambaram back then?
@@ManiVijay My Grand Father used to live there ( Perungalattur ). Used to visit him during the holidays. LC @ 19:13 is a special place for me, there used to be a vegetable market beyond that ( not sure about the current situation ). We used to wait at LC after getting the vegetables for sometime to watch trains ( daily routine generally for a week ) . The bonding started there.. :)
Such beautiful memories. I can imagine how soothing it would have been to stand at the LC gate and watch MG trains go by. My true romance with MG started in 1973 when I visited my uncle and family in Karaikkal. I remember my first journey in MG First Class on the Thiruturaipoondi Pass. from Peralam to Mayavaram. Also, various MG trips to Thanjavur, Tiruchi and Dindigul, the same year. MG was so predominant in SR back then.
I am from.Mayiladuthurai, travelled from Nagapattinam to Mayavaram via Tiruvarur then with my cousin in a steam loco. Can't forget the nostalgic effects
This video contains everything that captures the imagination of an MG lover, particularly one who has always had a dream of seeing an MG under wires. It has literally everything - YAM reversing for attachment, YAMs resting in shed, lowering and raising of pantographs, MG OHE system, Electric substation, MG EMU parallel run, YAM1 hauled express and passenger trains, overtakes, MG EMU skipping Palavanthangal station, MG EMU shed at Tambaram, MG double and triple lines, MG open wagon goods train.. This is the only way we can relive those golden days of electrified MGs..What an irony it was to see electrified MG tracks and unelectrified BG, offering a semblance of ignorance to BG and according priority to MG even though the semblance stood in stark contrast to the desires of IR authorities..Thanks Mani Sir for taking time out to digitize and upload this video. This is priceless.
Thanks a lot for your detailed observations and feedback. i knew this video, showcasing the electrified MG system, would be priceless to a die-hard MG lover like you. I admit I got a secret delight in seeing MG as electrified and BG as not, which was a reminder of how MG had stamped its complete authority in SR. In fact, TIruchi used to be a 5-way junction with just one BG line to Karur and the rest four being MG ones. Alas, the authorities saw project unigauge as an excellent excuse to siphon off a lot of money to personal accounts and it was somehow determined that complete decimation of MG was the proper solution. Anyway, the damage is done - such videos at least allow us to go back in time and relive those glory years.
Those MG lines were laid and electrified by the British about sixty years before this lovely video! The BG lines came much later, and were electrified in phases.
This is such a rare find! I showed this to my dad, a retired MG loco pilot (Officially he was a Special grade Mail/Exp driver). He was so thrilled watching this. Did you know that the YAM were bought from the Japanese consortium for a princely sum of Rs.5lacs each!!! Now it's gone and absolutely priceless...so many stories with MG since my school days...
I am very happy to learn that both you and your dad enjoyed the video. I was not aware of the price for a YAM1. I miss these locos so much. Does your dad happen to know Arun Pandian? He is a good railfan friend of mine and knows quite a few retired loco pilots from SR.
Not sure that he knows. I used to know all my dad colleagues and peers from my school days, most of them retired now too. Do you remember the old first class coaches in MG? There were a few that was one half of a compartment and with its door and attached bathroom. Lucky to have traveled in one...:) so many stories...
This video is such a masterpiece. It is just unimaginable that such an elaborate and beautiful infrastructure was present at that time and that too for MG. Thank you Mani Vijay for preserving this part of our heritage.
Very glad you enjoyed! It is very sad that this entire system was dismantled in the excuse of progress whereas the true reason is that Jaffer Sharieff and his cohorts made tons of money with grossly overbudgeted conversion projects. If not for him, MG and BG could have coexisted as is the case with Bangladesh and many other countries with multi-gauge networks.
Thank you for posting this, I was barely an one month old baby when this video was shot, now many years later I travel from egmore to chengalpattu on a daily basis. Watching this video is like peeking back in time,especially watching chengalpattu junction. I would’ve never been able to witness these places back in time if it wasn’t for this video. Thank you.
Mani ji. Nostalgic and nothing else. Sometimes, I go sombre seeing these MG sweethearts especially near guindy station as one of our neighbour had committed suicide here in 1994.
Brought a tear to my eye. Lovely video sir. I grew up watching these lovely MG trains. My morning alarm clock was the Sethu Express blasting towards Egmore with the YAM 1 in the lead. From 1993 to 2004, I've enjoyed innumerable runs on the MG EMUs. Cholan Express end to end in MG, Quilon Mail end to end are some memorable trips I will never forget. In 2004 May, when I was returning back to Bangalore by the 7 Mail, I insisted to my father that we take the MG EMU to Egmore and switch to BG EMU from there. I did not expect my father to agree, but being a railwayman, he too wanted to enjoy the MG EMU one last time I guess. I also enjoyed seeing the YDM 2 loco that was doing shunting at Chetpet. They were homed at Chengalpattu and many were transferred from Moula Ali.
Thanks a lot! We all have such fond memories of the MG network in SR. It's truly great that you enjoyed so many runs on these erstwhile MG beauties. My 1974 trip on the Cholan was one of my finest MG trips. You can read it here - www.irfca.org/apps/trip_reports/show/474
The 1st time I saw YAM1 in your video, sir. I loved it. Thank you so much for recording MG Electrified Routed. I love MG because my grandfather use to work in the MG section. Now that place is just abandoned. I was missing those days for a long time, and one fine day, I created this MG Addons for Game, Train Simulator. Whenever I start my train in game, I can feel that old time in it. Not exactly but still. The efforts put by all old people (like my grandfather) today's time trains are faster but not as beautiful as those times. I was lucky enough to travel in MG Local and Express train multiple times.
Went to chennai in 1996 for my mother's treatment. I was only 9. Still vividly remember the meter gauge emu ride in chennai suburban route. There was 2-2 seating.
My last journey on meter gauge train is at 2007 chozan express form mayiladudurai to tambaram .. on reaching chengal pattu .. race between my MG Express vz opponent BG express on same line same speed... finally MG wins.. chocking sound of MG diesel loco mind blowing... those golden era cannot be regained.... once remembered watching ur video thanks for sharing
Realizing that these trains and tracks do not exist now made me emotional. Development is a necessity, but it also leaves some things that were part of our lives, which we enjoyed most, into memories. I am very thankful to you that you had a mindset to capture the trains at that time. This video became nostalgic to all of us .
Glad you enjoyed it. Not really sure if project unigauge is a development, since speeds haven't really gone up by a big margin and punctuality and maintenance have gone for a toss.
Just awesome.. no words to explain. I am a very big fan of your MG collections. No matter whatever technology comes in IR. MG is always a rare gem that still refuses to go away from our minds
@@ManiVijay yes bro. Those low level platforms,red livery coaches,YAM1 locos doing panto action still running fresh in my eyes. Those girder bridges over rivers beats the hell out of me..Have cried many times out of fear during childhood.. Still remember me in tears during the final run of MG kamban express and MG beach to Tambaram EMU. I just kissed the coaches and cried.
Spoken like a true MG lover. I also remember traveling from Egmore to Kanyakumari in Aug 2007 and saw some poles at Tamobaram that were once used for MG OHE. Felt so sad and dejected. I almost don't want to travel on that route anymore.
@@ManiVijay My younger bro and myself would fight for a window seat. Those days we wouldn't travel in AC coaches as we hate closed windows :(.. w would be awake entire night enjoying nothing but darkness and sound outside and enjoy every station that the MG trains stop. I believe you remember MG trains starting from Tambaram for a while before being shut down completely. I used to beg my parents to travel to tiruvarur or thanjavur for vacation just to enjoy train travel.
I was privileged to witness the maiden run of Vaigai MG superfast from MDU to MS at TBM as a student of MCC. There was a straight track from Perungalathur which went through one of the TBM platforms. We were eagerly waiting to see the rare scenario. within 15 minutes the train came thundering and crossed TBM station within seconds at MPS. The train was hauled by a YDM loco
Yes Tambaram was burnt with speed in mainline in tbm by MG vaigai. Actually my home is in tbm but no stop so we used to get down at mambalam. And return. Dust storm will be created while entering tbm with YDM4A
Thanks for the video... What amuses me more is that many people didn't even know that we had electrified meter gauge railway lines in use in Tamil Nadu for more than 70 years... When the rest of India was chugging with steam locomotives... we had suburban electric meter gauge multiple units and electrified MG locomotives form 1930s.... I had the greatest opportunity of travelling in the MG suburban electric multiple units and also YAM1 electrified express trains throughout my schooldays... A unique feature of MG Emu's is the yellow strap paint on the sides to distinctly show it as a 9 car train with 5 engine units... Each and every YAM1 engine will have a circular name plate displaying the name of the express train... a rare sight... The oscillating train movement and the rhyming fish plate sounds of the rails is still a fascinating experience....
Very true! The only other sections to be electrified before Madras-Tambaram were the sections in and around Mumbai. You must have some very pleasant and nostalgic memories about MG EMUs and YAM1s. I, too, feel lucky to have traveled in these beauties. I can't get over the fact that IR callously ripped out a fully functional and efficient MG system under the excuse of progress.
Sir, I travelled by Chennai Egmore Sengotta passenger from Chennai Egmore to Mayilathirai (Mayuram) to visit Temples along with Wife. Where the second sleeper birth was very smal and that too MG Electric Engine from Villupuram to Chennai Egmore and its shed was in Tambaram. I am very happy once again this type of MG Electric Engine is no where in India. Its like a God Gift to people of Tamil Nadu who are residing and born and borught up in this particular area. Thanks, OVERALL MANY THANKS TO YOU TO SEE THE TRAIN IN YOU TUBE. Thanks, B SHEKAR, Mysore Karnataka.
No words....to appreciate your interest and effort for video ! When I was child we used to travel by passenger train . Train takes 9 hrs to reach Kumbakonam from Chennai Egmore ! Rhythmic train ! Roaring rails !
Sir, wonderful view. Love to see it. Although I have seen earlier this video in parts but first time I saw in conclusively. Meter gauge has a totally different pleasure than any other train. Uncomparable.
Lot of thanks to you sir,,,,I had travelled in meter gauge trains for about 25 years until recently the track converted to broad gauge,,,romba nandri sir .
This is pure gold..Thanks a lot for bringing back those golden nostalgic memories. As a child, i faintly remember my first train journey (in 1984) from Tiruvannamalai to Dindigul (TPTY - RMM Express??, Not sure of the name)...and as a kid travelling from Egmore to Tuticorin in Pearl city express in 1991...the first time i saw Chennai Egmore..!! Later on after shifting to Chennai, had travelled a lot in MG EMU trains between TBM Sanatorium to Perungalathur and TBMS to MBM stations & Egmore stations (for ICWA studies) - 1996-2004 till the MG EMU lines gave way to BG Lines...such wonderful memories which will never come back again...And thanks to technology for bringing back those memories.
Great to hear about your experiences in the SR MG network in the 80s and 90s. I am sure those memories are very precious for you, just like mine. Alas, we will never see MG back here ever again :-(
My childhood fascination was YAMs it was kept clean in the yard in EGmore .. If i remember they were Hitachi traction or Mitsubishi..as a railway family saw those electric schematics. Man those looked compact ran smooth and fast..A cute horn and We knew YAM is coming ...Thank you ..
I remember those days when my mom used to work for PNB at the park town branch...used to take the BG locals to beach from MBM and accompany mom to the office on Saturdays when there was no school..the MG local parallel actions were just fantastic...used to enjoy and feel proud overtaking the MG trains lol...those days will never ever come back...feels saddening....mikka nandri Saar and belated new year wishes to you and your family!!
MG EMUs are the cutest things to ever run on IR. I fully support Project Uniguage and understand it's motives but in this case atleast a small MG electrified section should have been retained as heritage line like they are doing in some other places. BTW great video, feels like the mime version of a documentary :)
I am blessed to be born as a 90's kid. I still remember the MG electric loco actions. I have travelled lot of times between kmu and ms in mg trains and mostly I have never missed to see the loco change with my dad. Whenever palar and Kollidam bridges come I will be really excited and enjoying. Old is gold. Thanks Vijay for uploading these golden memories ☺️
@@ManiVijay yes sir... Since childhood I was brought up in Kumbakonam. I did my entire education there only. Such a peaceful temple city. I was really blessed to live there and had darshan in lot of temples.
Your video s are gem for railfans....Indian railway means nostalgia .right now after project unification,100 percent electrification project is rapdly going on.from 2-3 years onwards we won't see the chugging alco's ,EMDs on railtrack.they will be retired.and remain memory only..being a railfan I m just repenting.they should'nt hv retired
Sir, I am very happy to seen MG Track with Electrified only Indian Railway Sections. Way back in July 1999 travelled from Egmore to Mayulathurai (Mayuram). B Shekar, Mysore Karnataka
The parallel run with MG EMUs is just priceless...travelled in these EMUs as a child... you have really documented an important part of Rail history... great work sir...
I have fond memories of this MG section. My aunt (chitthi) lived in Kodambakkam in a building just three blocks away from a level crossing. You heard the sound of trains, especially express trains with the long horn :), all the time from her flat. So when I went over to Chennai, I and her son would spend a lot of time on the terrace train watching. Apart from the local trains, I did get to travel on an MG express train - Mahal Express - in 1998. I may add that the view gets pretty scenic past Trichy or least it was back then - haven't been back there by train since then. I saw plenty of peacocks on the Trichy-Kodai Road stretch. IIRC at that time the Egmore-Tambaram section had four metre gauge lines with a fifth line that was broad gauge running along side. That's why you had metre gauge as well as broad gauge trains running parallel. Strangely they seem to have done away with fast locals after conversion to broad gauge? During the MG days, express and fast locals used to share the fast tracks (same as in Mumbai).
I live in Avadi, During my childhood, We used to go shopping in Mambalam, Ranganathan Street once every 2 months. Crossing Central to park and going to Mambalam was one of my favorite journeys. I used to scream the names of the stations from Park to Mambalam. The small trains with 3 pairs of windows, badam milk at Ranganathan street, train popcorns, compressor noise, Sugarcane juice. Onion samosas, AA batteries, Reynold's advertisement, Rabies stickers, White Station boards. We used to make stories about trains in the class, like Big train eating small trains, Lord Hanuman driving Pandian Express. Boys arguing that MG trains cannot go to Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta, Bangalore, Kerala. For us, the fastest train was Saptagiri Express even though we knew about shatabdi express. Those Old days.
Again tons of thanks sir ... It's the first time ...I came across with electrified meter guage line ... And it's ironic to hear that it's no more ...but thanks to ur time and camcorder too for such wonderful memories ...
18:59 onwards - My college memories. I used to travel past perungalathur upto Potheri. This is perhaps the only video that has shown PGR station with the active MG tracks! Can't thank you enough Sir!
@@ManiVijay I travelled between 2009-2013 when it was completely changed to BG sir. Upto 2007 I think all these lines operated on MG. Never really had the opportunity that time to travel on the MG suburban train all the way to chengalpattu.
Wow. A flood of memories deluged me. In the early 1970s I used to travel in Quilon Express then departing Egmore in the morning and reaching Vidrdhunagar (my grandmother's place) in the evening. Everything was green outside including the diesel engine after Villupuram (loco change then).How I wish those days come back. I am proud to say that I travelled in the only electrified MG section then.
Must have been amazing trips. I, too, have very fond memories of my trips through the Main Line in 1973 and 1974. In fact, my last trip on this section was in the MG Cholan Exp. from Thanjavur to Egmore. What a trip that was!
Thanks! I also miss them a lot :-( You should check out these as well - th-cam.com/video/2SUOqzB9BDA/w-d-xo.html , th-cam.com/video/mpeso9wbReM/w-d-xo.html
Sir, Indeed a gift from you! I have relished watching MG action on the south-bound line. I always felt BG Vaigai need to catch up with the performance of its MG counterpart and one cannot ignore MG high-raise panto giving its uniqueness. Thank you!
Been a pleasure watching these MG-BG video... Feelinh nostalgic totally miss my childhood n the days were we used to travel in train... Wel actually we used to travel in both BG n MG to our native town.. Around 3/4th of the travel by BG n n 1/4th by MGs.... N in erly 2000 n late 1990s it was just one single MG LINE damn miss those cute smal coaches but still wud take 13+ hrs to reach our destination... Those noisy wind produced by the speedy MGs wud always mask the classic actual track sound. ..used to luv when MGs slowed near staion, bridge or during a signal.. Ahhh nostalgia at its peek. Video has kindled all those memories from deep inside. .. Thnks a lot for Filming these.... I really missed my chance Filming one.... Never thought these MGs wud be Gone forever... They shud hav co existed with BGs
Railways Still Using the Same High Rise Panto in Double Stack Container Sectiona of Rajasthan in today's Broad Guage Electric Locos. Thanks to Metre Guage Electic Locos for the Heavenly Gift of Technology and it's wise use
Wow ....one more beautiful collection sir ....n the track sound makes so excited. And am sure you are the FIRST INDIAN RAIL VLOGER becoz I haven’t seen any IR coverage like this from 80s n 90s. Many of the IR Vlogers r after 2010 onwards only I saw in TH-cam. Keep post as many as possible from he collection of 90s.
Madras Egmore, now Chennai Egmore to Villupuram was the only MG electric stretch on IR. It was about 160 km long. There were 20 MG electric locos in the rolling stock of IR
Very nice VDO. Really brought me back those old days. My elder brother, sister & myself was lucky to travel in those MG EMU's & BG EMU's, as my parents were living in Meenambakkam. All 3 of us did our schooling in Sowcarpet & even I used to visit my friends by travelling in MG EMU's. Do U Know ? that MG Elec. locos & EMU's were from Mitshubishi Electric.Japan. Not once I had heard about the engine problem in these MG locos. Sudharshan, from Chennai { INDIA }
Very glad that it brought back great memories! I, too, have very fond memories of my trips on this route back in 1973 and 1974. The YAM1s were from Mitsubhi, indeed. Extremely reliable! I miss so much, especially SR.
Rare video and golden video. and the last video of 20th century.. Nellai, Pandian, Kanyakumari, Rockfort, Cholan, Sethu, Kamban, Pallavan, Vaigai all these express has a special attachments to south tamilnadu people. wow a great video.. many trains can come now a days. but 90s trains are always best.. now a days no brown colour coaches in IR.
Very good video. I have never seen such a big region of MG tracks with Electrification. Slaute to IR. Broad gauge has it's own advatange of speed and number of coaches, ease of accomodation.
It does. But MG was far better in this section in terms of punctuality, maintenance and efficiency? Also, they totally eliminated around 40 stations during unigauge which never showed up in BG.
Thoroughly enjoyed the armchair journey from Villupuram to Egmore. One can only shed a tear for the disappearance of the beautiful metre gauge with electric traction to boot. This is the price we pay for development and progress. I have travelled by the steam hauled MG passenger trains as well as by EMU locals.I used to love the odour of the steam. I also used to make it a point to travel only by the uncrowded local trains in Madras in preference to buses or autos. That thrill was inexplicable. Again I remember travelling by the RC unit between Trichy and Mayuram which was a two-coach diesel train. That was a coveted shuttle train in the mid-fifties in those parts. Today's trains are drab and monotonous in comparison.
The sheer number of YAM1s in this video is mind-blowing. So nostalgic!! 🙏. So many times I would ump off in Guindy to the fast line to just go on the YAM1 hauled Kancheepuram train or VM passengers or take it from MBM to GDY and switch over .just for the sake of going on it. One green liveried Rockfort coach used for Fast Passenger GLR!!!
Dear Mani Sir, you have not forgotten to tag Tozhuppedu, remember the long road over bridge, roughly 100kms away from Chennai, 22kms from Tindivanam. Villupuram is 159 from MS and 162 as per pole
I still miss the MG treading from Ahmedabad to mahesana all the way to abu road this footage of rare electrified MG brings back same nostalgia mate, I miss it😞
Thank you for your lovely videos. I am glad that you captured by then. Am born and brought up in Bombay and I remember we had two choices to reach Tirunelveli. One by kanyakumari exp which I saw you showed from VT-Pune, and the other way is to travel from VT-MAS (night mail) ; Vaigai exp (orange colour MG) from egmore to MDU and then some passenger train from MDU to TEN overnight. I also remember travelling in Nellai express from TEN to egmore (MG), but by then the route is from Tenkasi and it joins back at virudhunagar. Are you a retired person in Indian railways as Motorman as you had all shootings while in the engine.
Three different trains, wow, must have taken you two full days and three nights. Now, there is that crack train - Dadar-TEN superfast. When did you travel in MG Nellai? I missed that. So, MG Nellai used to run via Tenkasi, once the direct route from Virudhunagar to TEN was converted? I am just a regular railfan. I was fortunate to travel on the loco few times - I had an uncle in a high position in IR and then friends who knew LPs.
@@ManiVijay Yes 3 nights, but never felt boring. I am too railfan. Am born in 1986 and if my memory goes right, it was all between 1993-1997 or 98. After that we got Nagercoil exp (6339) direct train around 1998 or 99. I remember there was direct route from TEN to MS what we have today, but don't know why nellai exp MG use to take the reverse way (from TEN, town, Ambai, Tenkasi, Sankarakovil, Rajapalayam, Virudhunagar) and then same as it is.
Last MG travel was sethu express from Tambaram that around late 2003 that time all MGs towards South region was shifted to tambaram from egmore that time they have started BG conversion lovely memories
Slim fit cute metre gauge . Mesmerizing horn sound of yam loco. Roaring rails. Rhythmic journey . One can go by car up to the coach which is available only in egmore .
South of Madras, from terminus Madras Egmore to Tirunelveli was MG, Cape did not have railway lines when I visited in 1978, a branch from Tirunelveli used to go to Quilon
Yes. The line from Trivandrum to Cape via Nagercoil was opened in 1979. In fact, the original name for Nellai Exp. was actually Kanniyakumari Exp. and it terminated at Tirunelveli.
Maybe because it does not have any clickbaiting titles such as "most dangerous section in the world". "loco hits cow, dog, cat, snake, earthworm, grasshopper, ....", "two trains about to collide", etc As a true IR fan, I strive to upload only videos that show IR in a positive light.
@@ManiVijay in metre gauge days one can enter direct to the platform by sitting in taxis ! I think there's no station in India this type of facility which was available only in Egmore ! Great days sir !
Good old days. Rockfort takes 10 hrs to reach trichy. Passing over the iron bridge on rivers makes a kind of thunder like vibration. I get scared as a kid and hug my dad in sleep.
Thanks! It's horrible that IR simply ripped every single electrified MG track, instead of preserving something for future generations. All in the name of Project Unigauge.
@@ManiVijay Dear Mani, Thank you for these videos. i am metre guage fan. I became aware of metre guage electrified trains when i visited Chennai from Bengaluru in 1993 or 1994 along with my mom, stayed over at Tambaram. The house was close to the railway station. I was 16 or 17 at that time and was instantly fascinated by the electric traction on metre guage. The sound of it. ❤ But i had no cameras even though i had the urge to photograph them, fearing i might not see them again. I tried my best to experience those metre guages again but never got the opportunity. To enjoy metre guage trains again i had to visit Japan to experience the Zen moment. I really hope they revive the metre guage trains at least as parallel routes or feeder routes. Just look at Japan, despite adense population where trains r crowded, the country is r littered with metre guage. Even the Akita Shinkansen runs on metre guage! New Zeeland, Indonesia, malaysia all use metre guage...the mysore railmuseum is littered with metre guage syeam engines whoch should in prnciple be at least used regularly as heritage rails..
An emotion and remembrance came to me the journey in MG kovai express and old ICF Coimbatore to Madras Central shathabdi and lot more MG train and even few BG trains.
I don't seem to recall an MG Kovai Exp. I thought the train was introduced in BG between Madras Central and Coimbatore. But SR used to be so dominated by MG in the 80s and early 90s.
@@ManiVijay my father told that kovai express was BG in 1996 as he was also a frequent train traveler. I was just a kid at that time sir. So I don't know much at that time. During 2000 I saw all maroon trains converted to blue ones. When kovai introduced in 1976 it was MG only I believe.
@@ManiVijay ok sir thanks for the clarification. Yes kovai was started in 1977 April. Thank you so much for the detailed information which I misunderstood a lot.
As a huge fan of southern railways I miss a lot of what happened in 90s as this was the golden period of both famous southern railways lines (Madras central to Coimbatore and Egmore to kanyakumari)
Watching this video in 2022. There are two metre guage trains till chengelpet and more frequent suburban trains on those days. Today less frequency from tambaram to chengelpet. Recently the third track converted to broadguage. Very long time they taken to convertion. Hope more frequncy from tambaram expected. Those days are golden. I see parallel suburban from tambaram to beach on metre and broadguage.
As a person born in the 21st century, I have never had the chance to sight, or travel in these beautiful locomotives. Thanks Mani sir, for all your videos, which provide me with the wonderful history of Indian Railways
Very glad you enjoyed it!
Among those people who were travelling in all these trains, you were the one who knew that very soon these sights will be vanished.
Saying in very few words, yes you are right, no thanks to project uniguage.
A LOVELY video Sir.
Thanks so much. If I had known that they will get rid of MG at such a fast pace, I would have made a more determined effort to explore more MG sections in their prime. Anyway, I feel fortunate to have experienced SR MG in its glory days.
@@ManiVijay What exactly happened to the YAM locos? Because they could've electrified the remaining MG routes if they are preserved right?
@@trainfanner47 They first dismantled the MG network, then simply allowed the YAM1 locos to rot. I am sure these locos could have given much more service had they been allowed to operate.
@@ManiVijay definitely. It's rare to see MG e locos in Asia, wish the railways at the time sensed the importance. Or atleast tried to electrify existing MG lines.
The only other country where I have seen MG electric locos is Malaysia. Only a handful of Chinese electric locos to haul goods trains. Malaysia however has many EMUs and Electric High Speed trainsets . There were 21 YAM1s of which 19 were brutally scrapped. One was taken to CLW and the other to Madras ICF Rail Museum in a semi-scrapped condition and partly restored. The pantos are not the original ones as the of orientation of a YAM1 panto is opposite that of a WAP4.
Thank you for this gift sir. Perungalattur is the place where my love for MG Trains started, happy to see that location in the video :)
It's very nice to hear that you love for MG started in Perungalattur. Would love to get more details on that and how that happened. Were you living near Tambaram back then?
@@ManiVijay My Grand Father used to live there ( Perungalattur ). Used to visit him during the holidays. LC @ 19:13 is a special place for me, there used to be a vegetable market beyond that ( not sure about the current situation ). We used to wait at LC after getting the vegetables for sometime to watch trains ( daily routine generally for a week ) . The bonding started there.. :)
Such beautiful memories. I can imagine how soothing it would have been to stand at the LC gate and watch MG trains go by. My true romance with MG started in 1973 when I visited my uncle and family in Karaikkal. I remember my first journey in MG First Class on the Thiruturaipoondi Pass. from Peralam to Mayavaram. Also, various MG trips to Thanjavur, Tiruchi and Dindigul, the same year. MG was so predominant in SR back then.
I am from.Mayiladuthurai, travelled from Nagapattinam to Mayavaram via Tiruvarur then with my cousin in a steam loco. Can't forget the nostalgic effects
I am Die hard fan of Vaigai Express, the marvel of MG engineering
0:56 This video was filmed on 31st December 1999....The last day of 20th century.....Thanks for the video sir....
Yes, on the last day of the 20th century. And ironically, it was my last sighting of a YAM1.
also the nation was tensed even on the last day cuz of the IC 814 HIJACKING last day of the hijacking 31 dec 1999
@@Slicer400 WHY DID U FORGOET ABOUT Y2K BUG?
This video contains everything that captures the imagination of an MG lover, particularly one who has always had a dream of seeing an MG under wires. It has literally everything - YAM reversing for attachment, YAMs resting in shed, lowering and raising of pantographs, MG OHE system, Electric substation, MG EMU parallel run, YAM1 hauled express and passenger trains, overtakes, MG EMU skipping Palavanthangal station, MG EMU shed at Tambaram, MG double and triple lines, MG open wagon goods train.. This is the only way we can relive those golden days of electrified MGs..What an irony it was to see electrified MG tracks and unelectrified BG, offering a semblance of ignorance to BG and according priority to MG even though the semblance stood in stark contrast to the desires of IR authorities..Thanks Mani Sir for taking time out to digitize and upload this video. This is priceless.
Thanks a lot for your detailed observations and feedback. i knew this video, showcasing the electrified MG system, would be priceless to a die-hard MG lover like you. I admit I got a secret delight in seeing MG as electrified and BG as not, which was a reminder of how MG had stamped its complete authority in SR. In fact, TIruchi used to be a 5-way junction with just one BG line to Karur and the rest four being MG ones. Alas, the authorities saw project unigauge as an excellent excuse to siphon off a lot of money to personal accounts and it was somehow determined that complete decimation of MG was the proper solution. Anyway, the damage is done - such videos at least allow us to go back in time and relive those glory years.
Those MG lines were laid and electrified by the British about sixty years before this lovely video! The BG lines came much later, and were electrified in phases.
This is such a rare find! I showed this to my dad, a retired MG loco pilot (Officially he was a Special grade Mail/Exp driver). He was so thrilled watching this. Did you know that the YAM were bought from the Japanese consortium for a princely sum of Rs.5lacs each!!! Now it's gone and absolutely priceless...so many stories with MG since my school days...
I am very happy to learn that both you and your dad enjoyed the video. I was not aware of the price for a YAM1. I miss these locos so much. Does your dad happen to know Arun Pandian? He is a good railfan friend of mine and knows quite a few retired loco pilots from SR.
Not sure that he knows. I used to know all my dad colleagues and peers from my school days, most of them retired now too. Do you remember the old first class coaches in MG? There were a few that was one half of a compartment and with its door and attached bathroom. Lucky to have traveled in one...:) so many stories...
I will buy one for me At 5 lacd
This video is such a masterpiece. It is just unimaginable that such an elaborate and beautiful infrastructure was present at that time and that too for MG. Thank you Mani Vijay for preserving this part of our heritage.
Very glad you enjoyed! It is very sad that this entire system was dismantled in the excuse of progress whereas the true reason is that Jaffer Sharieff and his cohorts made tons of money with grossly overbudgeted conversion projects. If not for him, MG and BG could have coexisted as is the case with Bangladesh and many other countries with multi-gauge networks.
@@ManiVijay very sad
Thank you for posting this, I was barely an one month old baby when this video was shot, now many years later I travel from egmore to chengalpattu on a daily basis. Watching this video is like peeking back in time,especially watching chengalpattu junction. I would’ve never been able to witness these places back in time if it wasn’t for this video. Thank you.
Mani ji. Nostalgic and nothing else. Sometimes, I go sombre seeing these MG sweethearts especially near guindy station as one of our neighbour had committed suicide here in 1994.
Sorry to hear that. I miss MG so much.
Brought a tear to my eye. Lovely video sir. I grew up watching these lovely MG trains. My morning alarm clock was the Sethu Express blasting towards Egmore with the YAM 1 in the lead. From 1993 to 2004, I've enjoyed innumerable runs on the MG EMUs. Cholan Express end to end in MG, Quilon Mail end to end are some memorable trips I will never forget. In 2004 May, when I was returning back to Bangalore by the 7 Mail, I insisted to my father that we take the MG EMU to Egmore and switch to BG EMU from there. I did not expect my father to agree, but being a railwayman, he too wanted to enjoy the MG EMU one last time I guess.
I also enjoyed seeing the YDM 2 loco that was doing shunting at Chetpet. They were homed at Chengalpattu and many were transferred from Moula Ali.
Thanks a lot! We all have such fond memories of the MG network in SR. It's truly great that you enjoyed so many runs on these erstwhile MG beauties. My 1974 trip on the Cholan was one of my finest MG trips. You can read it here - www.irfca.org/apps/trip_reports/show/474
The 1st time I saw YAM1 in your video, sir.
I loved it.
Thank you so much for recording MG Electrified Routed.
I love MG because my grandfather use to work in the MG section. Now that place is just abandoned.
I was missing those days for a long time, and one fine day, I created this MG Addons for Game, Train Simulator. Whenever I start my train in game, I can feel that old time in it.
Not exactly but still. The efforts put by all old people (like my grandfather) today's time trains are faster but not as beautiful as those times.
I was lucky enough to travel in MG Local and Express train multiple times.
Went to chennai in 1996 for my mother's treatment. I was only 9. Still vividly remember the meter gauge emu ride in chennai suburban route. There was 2-2 seating.
My last journey on meter gauge train is at 2007 chozan express form mayiladudurai to tambaram .. on reaching chengal pattu .. race between my MG Express vz opponent BG express on same line same speed... finally MG wins.. chocking sound of MG diesel loco mind blowing... those golden era cannot be regained.... once remembered watching ur video thanks for sharing
Realizing that these trains and tracks do not exist now made me emotional. Development is a necessity, but it also leaves some things that were part of our lives, which we enjoyed most, into memories. I am very thankful to you that you had a mindset to capture the trains at that time. This video became nostalgic to all of us .
Glad you enjoyed it. Not really sure if project unigauge is a development, since speeds haven't really gone up by a big margin and punctuality and maintenance have gone for a toss.
so very lovely and nostalgic! The MG fast overtake was a very pleasant surprise! Miss those beautiful MG Emus...
Thanks! Very fortunate to have got that overtake.
Just awesome.. no words to explain. I am a very big fan of your MG collections. No matter whatever technology comes in IR. MG is always a rare gem that still refuses to go away from our minds
Thanks so much. It's always nice to connect with a die-hard MG fan like you. I totally agree with you. NOTHING can replace the charm of MG ... EVER!
@@ManiVijay yes bro. Those low level platforms,red livery coaches,YAM1 locos doing panto action still running fresh in my eyes. Those girder bridges over rivers beats the hell out of me..Have cried many times out of fear during childhood.. Still remember me in tears during the final run of MG kamban express and MG beach to Tambaram EMU. I just kissed the coaches and cried.
Spoken like a true MG lover. I also remember traveling from Egmore to Kanyakumari in Aug 2007 and saw some poles at Tamobaram that were once used for MG OHE. Felt so sad and dejected. I almost don't want to travel on that route anymore.
@@ManiVijay My younger bro and myself would fight for a window seat. Those days we wouldn't travel in AC coaches as we hate closed windows :(.. w would be awake entire night enjoying nothing but darkness and sound outside and enjoy every station that the MG trains stop. I believe you remember MG trains starting from Tambaram for a while before being shut down completely. I used to beg my parents to travel to tiruvarur or thanjavur for vacation just to enjoy train travel.
@@ManiVijay do you have any more SR MG videos
I was privileged to witness the maiden run of Vaigai MG superfast from MDU to MS at TBM as a student of MCC. There was a straight track from Perungalathur which went through one of the TBM platforms. We were eagerly waiting to see the rare scenario. within 15 minutes the train came thundering and crossed TBM station within seconds at MPS. The train was hauled by a YDM loco
What an amazing experience that would have been! I experienced the Tambaram skip while traveling in MG Vaigai in 1985.
Yes Tambaram was burnt with speed in mainline in tbm by MG vaigai. Actually my home is in tbm but no stop so we used to get down at mambalam. And return. Dust storm will be created while entering tbm with YDM4A
Thankyou for sharing those wonderful memories friends
camera rate how much sir at that time
What a race. The Mighty Meter Vs The Bulky Broad. It's a lifetime experience through your efforts.
Thanks for the video...
What amuses me more is that many people didn't even know that we had electrified meter gauge railway lines in use in Tamil Nadu for more than 70 years...
When the rest of India was chugging with steam locomotives... we had suburban electric meter gauge multiple units and electrified MG locomotives form 1930s....
I had the greatest opportunity of travelling in the MG suburban electric multiple units and also YAM1 electrified express trains throughout my schooldays...
A unique feature of MG Emu's is the yellow strap paint on the sides to distinctly show it as a 9 car train with 5 engine units...
Each and every YAM1 engine will have a circular name plate displaying the name of the express train... a rare sight...
The oscillating train movement and the rhyming fish plate sounds of the rails is still a fascinating experience....
Very true! The only other sections to be electrified before Madras-Tambaram were the sections in and around Mumbai. You must have some very pleasant and nostalgic memories about MG EMUs and YAM1s. I, too, feel lucky to have traveled in these beauties. I can't get over the fact that IR callously ripped out a fully functional and efficient MG system under the excuse of progress.
@@ManiVijay yes... at least they could have used the locomotives and bogies to explore newer routes...
Sir, I travelled by Chennai Egmore Sengotta passenger from Chennai Egmore to Mayilathirai (Mayuram) to visit Temples along with Wife. Where the second sleeper birth was very smal and that too MG Electric Engine from Villupuram to Chennai Egmore and its shed was in Tambaram. I am very happy once again this type of MG Electric Engine is no where in India. Its like a God Gift to people of Tamil Nadu who are residing and born and borught up in this particular area. Thanks, OVERALL MANY THANKS TO YOU TO SEE THE TRAIN IN YOU TUBE. Thanks, B SHEKAR, Mysore Karnataka.
Vilupuram to Chennai I never skip single secs , it's a golden videos.
No words....to appreciate your interest and effort for video ! When I was child we used to travel by passenger train . Train takes 9 hrs to reach Kumbakonam from Chennai Egmore ! Rhythmic train ! Roaring rails !
Thanks! I, too, remember traveling by passenger trains in 1973 - Mayavaram-Thanjavur-Tiruchi-Dindigul section.
Sir, wonderful view. Love to see it. Although I have seen earlier this video in parts but first time I saw in conclusively. Meter gauge has a totally different pleasure than any other train. Uncomparable.
I totally agree. There was something so charming about meter gauge.
Lot of thanks to you sir,,,,I had travelled in meter gauge trains for about 25 years until recently the track converted to broad gauge,,,romba nandri sir .
You are most welcome!
This is pure gold..Thanks a lot for bringing back those golden nostalgic memories. As a child, i faintly remember my first train journey (in 1984) from Tiruvannamalai to Dindigul (TPTY - RMM Express??, Not sure of the name)...and as a kid travelling from Egmore to Tuticorin in Pearl city express in 1991...the first time i saw Chennai Egmore..!! Later on after shifting to Chennai, had travelled a lot in MG EMU trains between TBM Sanatorium to Perungalathur and TBMS to MBM stations & Egmore stations (for ICWA studies) - 1996-2004 till the MG EMU lines gave way to BG Lines...such wonderful memories which will never come back again...And thanks to technology for bringing back those memories.
Great to hear about your experiences in the SR MG network in the 80s and 90s. I am sure those memories are very precious for you, just like mine. Alas, we will never see MG back here ever again :-(
I am really thankful to you. By watching your uploaded videos i can recall all my childhood traveling memories. 🙏
It's my pleasure
My childhood fascination was YAMs it was kept clean in the yard in EGmore .. If i remember they were Hitachi traction or Mitsubishi..as a railway family saw those electric schematics.
Man those looked compact ran smooth and fast..A cute horn and
We knew YAM is coming ...Thank you ..
I, too, fell in love with these charming YAM1 locos the moment I saw them. Very horrible that they are all gone. They served IR well.
HMT group actually
I remember those days when my mom used to work for PNB at the park town branch...used to take the BG locals to beach from MBM and accompany mom to the office on Saturdays when there was no school..the MG local parallel actions were just fantastic...used to enjoy and feel proud overtaking the MG trains lol...those days will never ever come back...feels saddening....mikka nandri Saar and belated new year wishes to you and your family!!
Happy Pongal! I agree, those beautiful MG days will never some back :-(
Saluting your farsight for making this video which surely will serve as a treasure to the history of electrified MG railway in India.
Thanks! This is one of my favorite videos, since it is about MG electrics.
MG EMUs are the cutest things to ever run on IR.
I fully support Project Uniguage and understand it's motives but in this case atleast a small MG electrified section should have been retained as heritage line like they are doing in some other places.
BTW great video, feels like the mime version of a documentary :)
1999 me bhi apke pass itna accha camera tha bro apko ko toh first blogger ka khitab milna chaiye
I am blessed to be born as a 90's kid. I still remember the MG electric loco actions. I have travelled lot of times between kmu and ms in mg trains and mostly I have never missed to see the loco change with my dad. Whenever palar and Kollidam bridges come I will be really excited and enjoying. Old is gold. Thanks Vijay for uploading these golden memories ☺️
You are most welcome! Are you originally from Kumbakonam? My kula deivam is in Swamimalai.
@@ManiVijay yes sir... Since childhood I was brought up in Kumbakonam. I did my entire education there only. Such a peaceful temple city. I was really blessed to live there and had darshan in lot of temples.
Nice to hear about Swamimalai. So beautiful temple. You are so blessed by that God Muruga to have Swamimalai murugan as your kula deivam 🙏
Your video s are gem for railfans....Indian railway means nostalgia .right now after project unification,100 percent electrification project is rapdly going on.from 2-3 years onwards we won't see the chugging alco's ,EMDs on railtrack.they will be retired.and remain memory only..being a railfan I m just repenting.they should'nt hv retired
Thanks! I, too, am very angry at these new stupid ad-hoc developments happening with scant regard to ROI.
Mani...you're arguably the no.1 RAILFAN of INDIA...proud of you.
It's my pleasure. Thanks for your kind words. I am just a regular crazy railfan!
Happy to see the last YAM 1 Locomotive of Metre Gauge with tears. Thanks for the video.
Thanks! I too get teary eyed whenever I think of these quaint YAM1s.
Thank you for uploading this video and bringing forward a very rare section of IR. 👍👍
You are most welcome!
Sir, I am very happy to seen MG Track with Electrified only Indian Railway Sections. Way back in July 1999 travelled from Egmore to Mayulathurai (Mayuram). B Shekar, Mysore Karnataka
Thanks! Did you travel by MG Cholan in 1999?
You are No.1 Rail Fan! I am proud of you " Thiruvaallar Mani Vijay avargalae", your soul is blended with Indian Railways.
Thanks a lot!
Lovely. Loved the close up of the panto of the MG EMU. Superb honking by your BG Train.
Thanks! I have always been fascinated by the Faiveley panto used in IR. That honking by the GOC WDM2 was definitely a bonus.
The parallel run with MG EMUs is just priceless...travelled in these EMUs as a child... you have really documented an important part of Rail history... great work sir...
Very glad you enjoyed the video. I am sure you must be badly missing MG in this section.
Mani Vijay Yes, I miss the old days of MG on SR specially the Beach - Tambaram section. But old has to give way to New that’s how it is...
In this case, the New is nothing better than old.
I have fond memories of this MG section. My aunt (chitthi) lived in Kodambakkam in a building just three blocks away from a level crossing. You heard the sound of trains, especially express trains with the long horn :), all the time from her flat. So when I went over to Chennai, I and her son would spend a lot of time on the terrace train watching. Apart from the local trains, I did get to travel on an MG express train - Mahal Express - in 1998. I may add that the view gets pretty scenic past Trichy or least it was back then - haven't been back there by train since then. I saw plenty of peacocks on the Trichy-Kodai Road stretch.
IIRC at that time the Egmore-Tambaram section had four metre gauge lines with a fifth line that was broad gauge running along side. That's why you had metre gauge as well as broad gauge trains running parallel. Strangely they seem to have done away with fast locals after conversion to broad gauge? During the MG days, express and fast locals used to share the fast tracks (same as in Mumbai).
Never had I enjoyed a TH-cam rail journey to this extent....fantastic...Hearty thanks!
I am so happy to hear that. This video is one of my favorites as well since I am a huge MG fan, especially SR. I am assuming you like MG as well.
Brings back old memories of MG. YAM engines were always unique. You can see one in Chennai Rail Museum in Perambur
I live in Avadi, During my childhood, We used to go shopping in Mambalam, Ranganathan Street once every 2 months. Crossing Central to park and going to Mambalam was one of my favorite journeys. I used to scream the names of the stations from Park to Mambalam. The small trains with 3 pairs of windows, badam milk at Ranganathan street, train popcorns, compressor noise, Sugarcane juice. Onion samosas, AA batteries, Reynold's advertisement, Rabies stickers, White Station boards. We used to make stories about trains in the class, like Big train eating small trains, Lord Hanuman driving Pandian Express. Boys arguing that MG trains cannot go to Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta, Bangalore, Kerala. For us, the fastest train was Saptagiri Express even though we knew about shatabdi express. Those Old days.
Miss MG a lot, including the YAM1s.
Again tons of thanks sir ... It's the first time ...I came across with electrified meter guage line ... And it's ironic to hear that it's no more ...but thanks to ur time and camcorder too for such wonderful memories ...
Very glad you enjoyed it.
18:59 onwards - My college memories. I used to travel past perungalathur upto Potheri. This is perhaps the only video that has shown PGR station with the active MG tracks! Can't thank you enough Sir!
Very nice! You must have lovely memories. From where to where, did you commute back then? I miss MG so much, especially SR.
@@ManiVijay I travelled between 2009-2013 when it was completely changed to BG sir. Upto 2007 I think all these lines operated on MG. Never really had the opportunity that time to travel on the MG suburban train all the way to chengalpattu.
Wow. A flood of memories deluged me. In the early 1970s I used to travel in Quilon Express then departing Egmore in the morning and reaching Vidrdhunagar (my grandmother's place) in the evening. Everything was green outside including the diesel engine after Villupuram (loco change then).How I wish those days come back. I am proud to say that I travelled in the only electrified MG section then.
Must have been amazing trips. I, too, have very fond memories of my trips through the Main Line in 1973 and 1974. In fact, my last trip on this section was in the MG Cholan Exp. from Thanjavur to Egmore. What a trip that was!
I love these cute mg monsters in action in the 1990s.
I miss these MG trains a lot.
Wow wow wow wow wow 🥰 my dream came true, I wish to see the Tambaram & gindy station of my childhood... Thank you Mani sir
You are most welcome! This is my favorite MG section and I feel horrible it's no more.
An emotional moment. I like the sound the coaches the engines. I have a lot of memory travelling in these trains i really miss them
Me too. I miss MG so much. When did you travel on MG?
Really Really it's an amazing it's reminds me the Glory of my past days . Many thanks
♥️♥️My favorite video i miss meter gauge trains in SR😫♥️♥️
Thanks! I also miss them a lot :-( You should check out these as well - th-cam.com/video/2SUOqzB9BDA/w-d-xo.html , th-cam.com/video/mpeso9wbReM/w-d-xo.html
Sir, Indeed a gift from you! I have relished watching MG action on the south-bound line. I always felt BG Vaigai need to catch up with the performance of its MG counterpart and one cannot ignore MG high-raise panto giving its uniqueness. Thank you!
Very true! BG Vaigai is no match for the MG one.
Excellent footage
Can't control my tears
Melmaruvatur new station 😥😥
Badly missing MG now a days....
Thank you Mani sir
You are very welcome! This happens to be one of my favorite videos and fills me with nostalgia. It also makes me sad since MG is no longer there.
Been a pleasure watching these MG-BG video... Feelinh nostalgic totally miss my childhood n the days were we used to travel in train... Wel actually we used to travel in both BG n MG to our native town.. Around 3/4th of the travel by BG n n 1/4th by MGs.... N in erly 2000 n late 1990s it was just one single MG LINE damn miss those cute smal coaches but still wud take 13+ hrs to reach our destination... Those noisy wind produced by the speedy MGs wud always mask the classic actual track sound. ..used to luv when MGs slowed near staion, bridge or during a signal.. Ahhh nostalgia at its peek. Video has kindled all those memories from deep inside. .. Thnks a lot for Filming these.... I really missed my chance Filming one.... Never thought these MGs wud be Gone forever... They shud hav co existed with BGs
MG always brings back pleasant memories. Such is the charm. I also agree that MG should have coexisted with BG. Which part in MG did you travel?
Yo bro! You know what you did ? Hats off man , I wanna give a hug when we meet ♥️🔥
Thanks! We can surely meet when I visit India next. Where do you reside?
Railways Still Using the Same High Rise Panto in Double Stack Container Sectiona of Rajasthan in today's Broad Guage Electric Locos.
Thanks to Metre Guage Electic Locos for the Heavenly Gift of Technology and it's wise use
Wow ....one more beautiful collection sir ....n the track sound makes so excited. And am sure you are the FIRST INDIAN RAIL VLOGER becoz I haven’t seen any IR coverage like this from 80s n 90s. Many of the IR Vlogers r after 2010 onwards only I saw in TH-cam. Keep post as many as possible from he collection of 90s.
Thanks a lot! I plan to post a lot more videos from my 90s trips :-)
Wow....waiting eagerly....post soon sir 😊😊😊
Superb and well covered , MG meter gauge electric and Upcoming Broad gauge section with the WDM chugging simply mind blowing and interesting Sir
Glad you enjoyed it
This is amazing. Never heard MG with electric line. Thanks for sharing beautiful video.
You're welcome! IR has zero interest in heritage. Otherwise, they would retained a little bit of electrified MG.
Madras Egmore, now Chennai Egmore to Villupuram was the only MG electric stretch on IR. It was about 160 km long. There were 20 MG electric locos in the rolling stock of IR
Very nice VDO. Really brought me back those old days. My elder brother, sister & myself was lucky to travel in those MG EMU's & BG EMU's, as my parents were living in Meenambakkam. All 3 of us did our schooling in Sowcarpet & even I used to visit my friends by travelling in MG EMU's.
Do U Know ? that MG Elec. locos & EMU's were from Mitshubishi Electric.Japan. Not once I had heard about the engine problem in these MG locos.
Sudharshan, from Chennai { INDIA }
Very glad that it brought back great memories! I, too, have very fond memories of my trips on this route back in 1973 and 1974. The YAM1s were from Mitsubhi, indeed. Extremely reliable! I miss so much, especially SR.
During what years did you and your siblings travel in the MG EMUs?
Rare video and golden video. and the last video of 20th century.. Nellai, Pandian, Kanyakumari, Rockfort, Cholan, Sethu, Kamban, Pallavan, Vaigai all these express has a special attachments to south tamilnadu people. wow a great video.. many trains can come now a days. but 90s trains are always best.. now a days no brown colour coaches in IR.
I agree. All these legendary MG trains have a special attachment to all of us. BG can NEVER EVER replace that.
It's pleasant to watch this video it's a real good vlog👌👌👌really i enjoyed it☺️
Awesomeness ki bhi hadd hoti hai, best till date, how many are in there sir...🙏
Thanks so much! I have many more to share from my 90s collection. Will post one at a time :-)
This Video Brings back Old memory of Traveling in MG Trains with my family, Miss These Trains, Thank you Sir For this Upload,
Thanks!
Thanks mani sir to bring golden days of mg trains especially mg electric loco
Most welcome! I horribly miss MG, especially on SR.
Very good video. I have never seen such a big region of MG tracks with Electrification. Slaute to IR. Broad gauge has it's own advatange of speed and number of coaches, ease of accomodation.
It does. But MG was far better in this section in terms of punctuality, maintenance and efficiency? Also, they totally eliminated around 40 stations during unigauge which never showed up in BG.
Thoroughly enjoyed the armchair journey from Villupuram to Egmore. One can only shed a tear for the disappearance of the beautiful metre gauge with electric traction to boot. This is the price we pay for development and progress. I have travelled by the steam hauled MG passenger trains as well as by EMU locals.I used to love the odour of the steam. I also used to make it a point to travel only by the uncrowded local trains in Madras in preference to buses or autos. That thrill was inexplicable. Again I remember travelling by the RC unit between Trichy and Mayuram which was a two-coach diesel train. That was a coveted shuttle train in the mid-fifties in those parts. Today's trains are drab and monotonous in comparison.
Mani Sir, thanks a lot for showing the unique things like MG EMU and YAM locomotives.
It's my pleasure.
The sheer number of YAM1s in this video is mind-blowing. So nostalgic!! 🙏. So many times I would ump off in Guindy to the fast line to just go on the YAM1 hauled Kancheepuram train or VM passengers or take it from MBM to GDY and switch over .just for the sake of going on it.
One green liveried Rockfort coach used for Fast Passenger GLR!!!
Thanks for sharing your precious MG memories. I terribly miss the amazing MG network in SR.
Dear Mani Sir, you have not forgotten to tag Tozhuppedu, remember the long road over bridge, roughly 100kms away from Chennai, 22kms from Tindivanam. Villupuram is 159 from MS and 162 as per pole
I guess you mean I forgot to mention that bridge, correct?
Thank you for this video brother, this video recollect my childhood memories❤️❤️
This video is a gem 😍😍😍😍
I still miss the MG treading from Ahmedabad to mahesana all the way to abu road this footage of rare electrified MG brings back same nostalgia mate, I miss it😞
Thanks! I, too, miss MG terribly all over IR 😢
Excellent, brings back old memories and the charm of metre gauge, unavailable now
Thanks a lot!
Indeed a memorable new year gift...thank you sir once again....
Happy New Year !!
Happy New Year! Very glad you enjoyed it.
It was epic on that time... Great memories
Thanks! Yes, it was simply an amazing system with its own charm. Missing it a lot.
Thanks for these Rare videos
Thank you for your lovely videos. I am glad that you captured by then. Am born and brought up in Bombay and I remember we had two choices to reach Tirunelveli. One by kanyakumari exp which I saw you showed from VT-Pune, and the other way is to travel from VT-MAS (night mail) ; Vaigai exp (orange colour MG) from egmore to MDU and then some passenger train from MDU to TEN overnight. I also remember travelling in Nellai express from TEN to egmore (MG), but by then the route is from Tenkasi and it joins back at virudhunagar. Are you a retired person in Indian railways as Motorman as you had all shootings while in the engine.
Three different trains, wow, must have taken you two full days and three nights. Now, there is that crack train - Dadar-TEN superfast. When did you travel in MG Nellai? I missed that. So, MG Nellai used to run via Tenkasi, once the direct route from Virudhunagar to TEN was converted? I am just a regular railfan. I was fortunate to travel on the loco few times - I had an uncle in a high position in IR and then friends who knew LPs.
@@ManiVijay Yes 3 nights, but never felt boring. I am too railfan. Am born in 1986 and if my memory goes right, it was all between 1993-1997 or 98. After that we got Nagercoil exp (6339) direct train around 1998 or 99. I remember there was direct route from TEN to MS what we have today, but don't know why nellai exp MG use to take the reverse way (from TEN, town, Ambai, Tenkasi, Sankarakovil, Rajapalayam, Virudhunagar) and then same as it is.
Nice Video Sir...remembering my childhood...when it would take 3 days to reach Kerala from Mumbai (No Konkan Railway those days).
Thanks! KR has definitely been a huge boon for Kerala folks.
A fond memory to cherish what once was....! :) :) Beautiful capture considering 1999 & age of handicam.
Thanks a lot!
I always miss the cute Metre Gauge trains especially the cute Bo-Bo electric YAM1
Same here. I am heartbroken that they no longer exist in IR.
Last MG travel was sethu express from Tambaram that around late 2003 that time all MGs towards South region was shifted to tambaram from egmore that time they have started BG conversion lovely memories
What a track sound! And till now I didnt knew that there existed electrified mg section😛😫
Thanks! Now we can enjoy these beauties only through videos.
Just amazing to see these old gems which I, unfortunately, never got to experience! By the way, I was born in 1999.
Thanks!
This is a true gem.
Thanks a lot! A lot of precious memories for me in this video.
Beautiful M.G. coaches. Why M.G. coaches are shorter from ground level compare to B.G. please share the details.
Nostalgia 😫
Slim fit cute metre gauge . Mesmerizing horn sound of yam loco. Roaring rails. Rhythmic journey . One can go by car up to the coach which is available only in egmore .
I absolutely loved the SR MG system. Miss it a lot. Yes, you could go up to the coach by car. Also available at Howrah.
South of Madras, from terminus Madras Egmore to Tirunelveli was MG, Cape did not have railway lines when I visited in 1978, a branch from Tirunelveli used to go to Quilon
Yes. The line from Trivandrum to Cape via Nagercoil was opened in 1979. In fact, the original name for Nellai Exp. was actually Kanniyakumari Exp. and it terminated at Tirunelveli.
Tuticorin express
vijay mani ji I love you olden days yadd dila diya really
Why this video has such lesser number of views?This is epic.
Maybe because it does not have any clickbaiting titles such as "most dangerous section in the world". "loco hits cow, dog, cat, snake, earthworm, grasshopper, ....", "two trains about to collide", etc As a true IR fan, I strive to upload only videos that show IR in a positive light.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Fabulous Uncle
Thanks!
Vintage train ,metre gauge Beauty gone are the days golden days !
Thanks! Those golden MG days are gone ... so sad!
@@ManiVijay in metre gauge days one can enter direct to the platform by sitting in taxis ! I think there's no station in India this type of facility which was available only in Egmore ! Great days sir !
Good old days. Rockfort takes 10 hrs to reach trichy. Passing over the iron bridge on rivers makes a kind of thunder like vibration. I get scared as a kid and hug my dad in sleep.
I am a very fortunate late '90s child to travel in this despite being a person from Trivandrum !!! That too many times !
Must have been some great days ... really miss MG.
Sir you are great 👍 from you I came to know that MG lines also were electrified on that time. Sir really you are awesome hats off to you sir ji
Thanks! It's horrible that IR simply ripped every single electrified MG track, instead of preserving something for future generations. All in the name of Project Unigauge.
@@ManiVijayfully agree with you sir
@@ManiVijay Dear Mani, Thank you for these videos. i am metre guage fan. I became aware of metre guage electrified trains when i visited Chennai from Bengaluru in 1993 or 1994 along with my mom, stayed over at Tambaram. The house was close to the railway station. I was 16 or 17 at that time and was instantly fascinated by the electric traction on metre guage. The sound of it. ❤ But i had no cameras even though i had the urge to photograph them, fearing i might not see them again. I tried my best to experience those metre guages again but never got the opportunity. To enjoy metre guage trains again i had to visit Japan to experience the Zen moment. I really hope they revive the metre guage trains at least as parallel routes or feeder routes. Just look at Japan, despite adense population where trains r crowded, the country is r littered with metre guage. Even the Akita Shinkansen runs on metre guage! New Zeeland, Indonesia, malaysia all use metre guage...the mysore railmuseum is littered with metre guage syeam engines whoch should in prnciple be at least used regularly as heritage rails..
An emotion and remembrance came to me the journey in MG kovai express and old ICF Coimbatore to Madras Central shathabdi and lot more MG train and even few BG trains.
I don't seem to recall an MG Kovai Exp. I thought the train was introduced in BG between Madras Central and Coimbatore. But SR used to be so dominated by MG in the 80s and early 90s.
@@ManiVijay my father told that kovai express was BG in 1996 as he was also a frequent train traveler. I was just a kid at that time sir. So I don't know much at that time. During 2000 I saw all maroon trains converted to blue ones. When kovai introduced in 1976 it was MG only I believe.
There was no Kovai in 1976. It was started as a BG train between Madras and Coimbatore.
@@ManiVijay ok sir thanks for the clarification. Yes kovai was started in 1977 April. Thank you so much for the detailed information which I misunderstood a lot.
When did you click this video Sir...?
As a huge fan of southern railways I miss a lot of what happened in 90s as this was the golden period of both famous southern railways lines (Madras central to Coimbatore and Egmore to kanyakumari)
I agree. Those were certainly the golden times.
Watching this video in 2022. There are two metre guage trains till chengelpet and more frequent suburban trains on those days. Today less frequency from tambaram to chengelpet. Recently the third track converted to broadguage. Very long time they taken to convertion. Hope more frequncy from tambaram expected. Those days are golden. I see parallel suburban from tambaram to beach on metre and broadguage.
Those were really the golden days. I miss MG so much.