The Southern Sally: 2 - "HYB to MAS"

HYB to MAS...

I did not want to ride out of Hyderabad. I wanted to imbibe the scenic views along the ECR - the East Coast Road. And so, I planned my trip from Chennai.

I got a lot of useful insights regarding bike transport on a train from IndiaMike. I arrived at Nampally Hyderabad Deccan station two hours prior to my journey. I met the staff at the Parcel office and he ushered me to the private packers/porters in the railway yard. He gave me a form and asked me to come back with a packed bike whose petrol tank was 'dry'.

The porters were very helpful and with expert efficiency, drained the petrol tank with a small rubber tube and then 'dried' the tank with pieces of cloth. It took less than 10 minutes to get the petrol tank dry. I had made sure that the previous day, I rode till my 'low fuel' indicator was blinking. Another arbitrary indicator - shake your bike from side to side and you can hear the sound of petrol crashing against the walls of the petrol tank; based on the sounds you can estimate how much fuel remains in the tank (A concept patented by Indians :p ).

The bike, packed with cardboard sheets and covered with gunny sacks; was wheeled into the parcel office, when the porter suggested I negotiate with the private operator who leased out a break van. Private companies operate a few luggage vans on a few trains. The advantage of opting a private operator is that the Luggage Van is opened only at the last stop, rather than intermediate stops. Railway operated vans are not only more expensive, but also pose the risk of the potential damage to the bike as the van can be opened mid route to add/remove luggage. People have reported dents, broken mud guards, broken indicator lights and sometimes even theft/missing bike due to unloading the bike at the wrong station.

A few insights I got- negotiate hard with the private break van operators. They can get you a good deal. In this case, I paid rupees 1300 to transport the bike from Hyderabad to Chennai (versus 1850 which was the official railways luggage charges).

If you're booking with the railways, you need the following documents (photocopy) -
1. Vehicle Registration (RC book)
2. Photo ID proof (any, Govt issued)
3. Confirmed train ticket copy. (Physical copy of ticket, not a screen shot or sms)

Packed, loaded and locked. My bike was safe in the private break van and I boarded my train. At 6 am, I arrived at the Chennai Central station. I waited at the break van for a few minutes before the unloading team arrived. It took me about an hour before I could obtain a gate pass and wheel out my bike.

It's an offence to carry petrol or any combustible fuel in your luggage on the train. In case the checking staff find any petrol (even 100 ml) they can book you for a hefty fine of rupees 1000!

And you can unpack the vehicle ONLY after you've exited the station. You cannot 'mount' your bike even if the engine is not running, but ONLY can wheel it out.

At 7.30 am, I was outside the MAS (Chennai Central station). I unpacked my bike, fixed my mirrors which I'd removed to prevent damage and got my gear loaded and locked to the bike.

Pondy... here I come!