The Third Chennai Photowalk - Royapuram, Central and Egmore stations
Hello folks.
So, after much many deliberations and route suggestions and advices, I have decided to follow my original idea. The Third Chennai Photowalk, to be walked on the 12th of January, 2007, will trace the evolution of the Madras Railways. This is something I’ve been planning to do for a long time, but have never managed to find the time for. So here goes.
Royapuram Station – Chennai Central – Egmore, along the way passing the Southern Railway headquarters, Ripon Buildings, Park station, Govt. Art’s College, and, if there’s time, St. Andrew’s Kirk.
We’ll begin the walk at Royapuram station. As every body knows (if you don’t, shame on you) the Royapuram is the oldest surviving station in the Indian Railways network, and the second station to be built in the sub-continent. The station was abandoned in the 19th Century when the Central was built. Royapuram has some fantastic photo-worthy places and we should be able to spend a quite hour there.
So, from Royapuram station to Chennai Central. The distance is about 3-4 kilometres, but it should be fun. In any case, we will cover that distance by means of Share auto or the bus.
Central, with all its spires and clock towers and arched windows and red brick, is a handsome building, built in the 1870s. It’s now, along with the Napier’s bridge and Anna Flyover, the film-makers shortcut to cue the action has moved to the city.
Anyway, if the all-powerful, all-knowing Police allow us, we shall attempt to photograph the buildings.
Whatever the result of that is, we shall head out to the better looking, and the easier to photograph Egmore railway station.
When the railways came to India, and after the second oldest railway line in India (the one beginning at Royapuram) was laid, there was a bit of a scramble and a lot more other railway companies were formed. Of which, the Southern India Railway line. (Not to be confused with the present Southern Railways. SIR was based in Trichy, but Egmore was to be its Madras terminus. This function, it has carried on well, and does so today.
So, then, that’s the plan folks. How many will join me this time?
To recap, the walk will be on
Saturday, 12th January 2008
The route planned – Royapuram station – Chennai Central – Egmore – a distance of approximately 6 kms.
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January 6th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
Hi..this sounds cool! When is the walk scheduled to start? And by what time every1 to be assembled at Royapuram station? mail me your contact number
Rgds,
Arvind
January 6th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
Arvind: The starting time. How does 7 AM sound? It’s got to be early enough or we’ll all be exhausted before long.
So, yeah. 7 AM from the Royapuram railway station.
January 7th, 2008 at 12:03 am
I thought I would miss the 3rd one, but I don’t think I will now. 12th sounds good; and assuming that the walk will start at 8AM ;-), you can expect me to join.
Nice theme to the walk, too! Finally, we don’t need to walk around dead people for once.
January 7th, 2008 at 7:43 am
Damn ! MIssing it this time too, coz I would be landing in late in the afternoon. Hopefully, there is always another one to take part in !
K.Shyam
January 7th, 2008 at 9:35 am
Navneeth: 7 is what I have planned for. Which means all of us will be there 8 ish.
Good to have you along on this one too, mate.
Shyam: There’ll always be a walk, henceforth, in Madras.
January 7th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Will be there
! ]
[ tho have to come from saligrammam to royapuram early
January 7th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Shouldn’t be too difficult. I’ve done that journey on a scooter.
January 7th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
CC, I am missing the III Chennai Photowalk, as it is a working day and a crucial meeting is fixed on that day. Best Wishes
January 7th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
GVB: Is it possible for you to make it at least to the first half?
January 7th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
I’m in.
Just curious.. Why is this Photowalk not on a sunday?
Approx at what time would the walk end?
January 7th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
Um. Because I had a few other things planned on a Sunday. As well, 12th seemed to be the most comfortable for a large number of people.
But, let me see. A couple of other people have also said they wanted it on a Sunday. If those who’ve confirmed are okay with pushing the walk to a Sunday, I’ll do that.
January 7th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
Sunday or Saturday, either sounds fine to me.
January 7th, 2008 at 10:38 pm
Folks who keep a tab on this discussion: how does a walk early on Sunday, the 13th, sound?
January 8th, 2008 at 11:14 am
Both days sound fine
One thing though..What is the route from Vadapalani to Royapuram? Never been to that side of the city…
January 8th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
Tushar: I mailed you the details. Hope you got it.
January 9th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
CC,
Why are we moving back to Sunday ? Lets do Saturday itself and fix it as i would expect everybody to take some rest on Sunday after the long walk on Saturday.
Royapuram – Central – Egmore ?? Is that an easy one bro ??
Cheers,
BB
January 10th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Got them!
So is this on saturday or sunday?
January 10th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Bratboy: Sunday is when most people concerned are free.
Tushar: Sunday 13th Jan it is.
January 12th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
7 am tomorrow 13 Jan at old Royapuram station ? Will be there max by seven fifteen (dont know the area) how do we find you?
January 23rd, 2008 at 11:55 pm
Hi There!
I heard about the Chennai Photowalk from (of all people) my Mom. Seems like I’ve been missing out on some of the local culture.
I’d love to join you guys for the next one though!
One Suggestion: I see that the discussion ended in the photowalk being held on the 13th of jan. Could you include the updated date/time/meeting point as an “Update” at the end of your original post so that people dont have to read through the entire discussion to figure out that the date has changed?
Cheers!
And hope to meet this interesting collection of people soon.