AFOVA New Letter 2 of Year 2021

Section 6 - Memoirs CV 2 No. 02 / 2021 Page 185 of 332 had to haul that number of coaches to the destination with no changes. Due to the discussions taking place on the platform many of us had got down and were giving valuable moral support to PZ. As the train was stationary for far longer than scheduled, many passengers from the rest of the train had got down and were keenly watching the tamasha that was unfolding in front of their eyes. They could not believe that the boys – men from the military coach could have any problems that could not be resolved. PZ was adamant that none of us would board the train till all the defects had been rectified. Then the SM went into his cabin and made some calls to the next large station where we had to halt. Apparently, he got a satisfactory answer from that station. He pacified PZ and told him that all of us should board the train. He said that everything would be attended to when we reached the junction – which was about an hour and half away. Reluctantly PZ agreed and told both the Guard and the SM, that in case the things were not rectified at the next large station, he would have no alternative but to request that the Military special bogie be detached till it was rectified before we proceeded further. Having made his point, we finally boarded the train. Failure will never overtake me, if my determination to succeed is strong enough - Og Mandino After about 90 minutes, we steamed into the Junction. Within minutes of halting, a large posse of mechanics and other tradesmen poured into our compartment. All the fans and lights were attended to. Bulbs were changed and new brighter ones were screwed in. The water tanks were filled to the brim. The Guard sheepishly walked up to PZ and requested him to confirm that everything was satisfactory. He further added that his tour of duty was over, but he could not leave unless PZ certified that all the defects noticed in the Military special bogie were attended to satisfaction. PZ made a show of asking people in each cubicle that they were satisfied and then only confirmed to the Guard, who was now accompanied by the local SM. Once again, this SM checked with PZ and then allowed the Guard to sign off his duty. All journeys eventually end in the same place, home - Chris Geiger We had no further incidents on the train till we reached Madras the next morning, thus ending an eventful journey.