I landed up at the Kharagpur station  and found my friend on the longest plaform of the world. The Kazipet locomotive was standing there on the next line. His assistant was in the loco while he was waiting for me. He said that the train was late by three hours since the Santragachi Coaching terminal and the Howrah yard had been flooded.

The Hijli Distant was combined with the gate signal and was on a tight curve and one had to be careful while moving towards Hijli. Then we found the Gate - cum - distance green and Hijli home double and my friend gradually notched up as we hurtled past Hijli. I waved to the familiar station master who waved back grinning may be a bit surprised to see me standing at the back of the driver. Flat out in the country at 110 km /h and hearing the chime of the 251B engine was like a dream and appeared to be the best thing in the world. I enjoyed by showing the green light to the passing stations and noted on my friends diary the time of crossing each station. The lights of the cab were put off to be a better visibility of the signals and then as we flew past a station  and then lit up the light and copy down the time. Earlier I used to be afraid that some top official may spot me in the cab but with the lights turned off there was no chance.

For any diesel lover I feel it is a very interesting thing to stand in front of an WDM2 at the end of the platform and see the driver and his assistant carry out duties just after the engine has been attached. At night particularly when the cab lights are off and there is only a faint glow of the gauge lights from the control stand illuminating the shape of the driver with his right hand resting on the hand rest had always in my mind elevated the status of a diesel driver to a folklore hero.   Unfortunately ( I am sorry ) electric traction didn't provide me with such pleasures. Then as the signal is taken off and you see the driver move the first notch while making a silent prayer by touching the A-9 Automatic brake handle is sight that can be relished as many times you see it and then with the second or third notch open and the chug chug sound from the exhaust and the little blisters coming out from the exhaust stack as the rake obediently follows the great machine is a scene which only now the WDM/2 can enact in India.