The Ever-Reliable Old Monk Waits at Bayyappanahalli

Arakkonam (SR) shed’s old faithful WAM4 class electric locomotive #21219 hauling the 56262 Bangalore City – Arakkonam passenger waits for the starter at Baiyyappanahalli Railway Station, Bangalore. I took this photo from a train (TVC-BNC SF special) hauled by another WAM4 from the same shed, #21233. Though they look beaten up and dilapidated, WAM4s are the most reliable and successful Indian Railway locomotive class ever, that even after 35 years in service they are still going strong! The WAM4 of my trains covered the Trivandrum – Bangalore distance in juts 13 hours 30 minutes at speeds exceeding 110 kph! WAM4s are lovingly called “Old Monks” by railfans 🙂