There is good news for harried Harbour line commuters. The dream of having trains on the neglected rail line on the newer 25000 Volt Alternating Current rather than the obsolete 1500 Volt Direct Current is near. In a statement on Friday, Central Railway authorities informed that it will operate a special traffic and power block between midnight (Saturday) and 6am on Sunday on the Harbour and Trans Harbour lines for test charging with 25 KV AC in connection with DC-AC conversion work. The AC traction would allow Central Railways to run longer trains (12-coach) and also at higher speeds than the current 80kmph limit.
The block would cover the CSTM-Panvel Up and Down Harbour Lines, Raoli Junction-Mahim (CR jurisdiction) Up and Down Harbour lines and Thane-Vashi Up and Down Trans Harbour lines and Car Sheds, sidings, yards, the CR statement said. Suburban services between CST-Panvel/Andheri on Harbour line and Thane-Vashi/Nerul/Panvel will remain suspended on Up and Down lines during the block period.
"As against 590 scheduled services on Saturday, 562 services will be run and as against 492 services on Sunday, 410 services will be run on Harbour line. As against 232 scheduled services on Saturday, 219 services will be run and as against 210 services on Sunday, 190 services will be run on Trans Harbour line," said an official.
Running of Harbour & Trans Harbour Line Services on March 12 and 13
—Last Dn local from CST towards Panvel will leave at 10:18 pm
—Last Up local from Panvel towards CST will leave at 9:59 pm
—Last Dn local from CST towards Vashi will leave at 10:37 pm
—Last Dn local from CST towards Andheri will leave at 11:07 pm
—Last Up local from Andheri towards CST will leave at 10:37 pm
—Last Dn local from Thane towards Panvel will leave at 10:15 pm
—Last Dn local from Thane towards Vashi will leave at 10:40 pm
—Last Up local from Panvel towards Thane will leave at 10:11 pm
—Last Up local from Vashi towards Thane will leave at 10 pm
—First Dn local from CST towards Panvel will leave at 6:44 am
—First Up local from Panvel towards CST will leave at 6:35 am
—First Up Special local from Vashi towards CST will leave at 6:31 am
—First Dn local from CST towards Andheri will leave at 6:40 am
—First Up local from Andheri towards CST will leave at 6:18 am
—First Dn local from Thane towards Vashi will leave at 6:39 am
—First Dn local from Thane towards Panvel will leave at 7:06 am
—First Up local from Vashi towards Thane will leave at 6:48 am
—First Up local from Panvel towards Thane will leave at 6:39 am
