Railway Junction Galleria http://irj.fotopic.net/ 12 rows en-gb 60 The Northern Hop http://irj.fotopic.net/c1728135.html Snippets from my long tour to the north... only some of the 'many' photos are uploaded, and the rest are expected to be up in a few days from now Friday 10 July 2009: Snippets from my long tour to the north... only some of the 'many' photos are uploaded, and the rest are expected to be up in a few days from now

What a way to start my journey!!! WAP4 #22381 of Erode starts from Thrissur, working the Mangalore bound Parasuram Express... Ernakulam WDM3A #14140 arrives at Thrissur with the Nizamuddin bound Mangala Express in tow... A busy day at the freight yard today, at Thrissur WAP4 #22536 of Erode arrives at Thrissur with the Hyderabad bound Sabari Express in tow... Even as the starter turns green, porters are busy loading luggage into Sabari express' SLR... WAP4 #22602 of Arakkonam arrives at Thrissur with a very late running Raptisagar express to Trivandrum WAP4 #22725 of Erode arrives at Thrissur with the Ernakulam passenger, from Guruvayur, in tow... There comes my train!!! Whatta link!!! WDP3A #15532 of Golden Rock arrives at Thrissur with the 2653 Kochuveli-Chandigarh Kerala Sampark Kranti Express - the very train that took me to Chandigarh WAM4 #21240 of Arakkonam has a nice rest under the showers at Shoranur... My train at Shoranur - WDP3A #15532 of Golden Rock has some rest as her masters change.... WDM3D #11152 of Erode pulls out of Shoranur with the Chennai Egmore - Mangalore Express.. only to be overtaken by my train later Golden Rock twins, WDM2 #16536 & #16850 pull out from a siding at Feroke with a BTPN rake... WDM3A #14081 of Ernakulam rushing past my train with the Kannur-Ernakulam Intercity express WDM3D #11223 of Erode works the Trivandrum bound express from Mangalore... Approaching Kannur... a loco was testing its headlamps, preparing for a departure... WDM3D #11239 of Erode rushing past my train at Aravali road... A closer look at Erode WDM3D #11239 working the Madgaon bound Jan Shatabdi Express Its all greens... the loco, the surroundings, the signal and the flag :) Konkan's magic continues unabated... Two brutes waiting for the kill... WDG3A #13550 of Kalyan prepares to head light towards Chiplun from Roha... Waiting at Roha! Approaching Panvel... the station welcomes its old 'regular' with an array of locos... WCAM2 P #21871 of Valsad, working the Mumbai-New Delhi Rajdhani express, overtakes my train at Bhilad... WAP4 #22678 of Vadodara waits for a loco pilot change at Kota, working my train. The old locos can be seen waiting for the new guys, on the right. The train was about 20 minutes early at Kota. My first sighting of a WAP5!!! WAP5 #30006 of Ghaziabad heads an unknown train at New Delhi. Look who all are posing for a photo ;) WDM2 #17839 of Ludhiana arrives at Ambala Cantt with the Haridwar-Amritsar Jan Shatabdi in tow.... WAP7 #30214 of Ghaziabad waits at Ambala with an unknown train. The train seen on the right side was the Jammu Tawi - Hapa Express WAP7 #30220 of Ghaziabad arrives at Ghaggar with the Kalka-New Delhi Shatabdi Express Peak time... Two EMUs strike a pose with my 2006 Shatabdi Express.... WAP7 #30222 of Ghaziabad moves around New Delhi after having brought in my 2006 Shatabdi from Kalka... WDS4 #19651 shuts the rake of 2006 Shatabdi Express to the yard from New Delhi station I've got the devil power!!! WAP4 #22666 of Erode prepares to start from New Delhi with the 2626 Kerala Express to Trivandrum Hey! Where are you taking my coach??? WDS4 #19710 shunts around WAP5 #30014 of Ghaziabad arrives at New Delhi with the Amritsar Shatabdi... WAG9 #31194 of Tuglakabad sleeps off at Mathura... My train at Balharshah... WAP4 #22666 of Erode has a pilot change... A WAG9 sneaks out of Balharshah with a consist of BOXN and BRNA wagons, loaded with finished Iron products Welcome to Kazipet (Town)! WAG7 #27172 of TATA and WAG9 #31165 of Lallaguda wait, working BCNA rakes... WAP4 #22258 of Erode rushes past my train with our pairing train... WAP4 #22354 of Lallaguda rushes past my train with the East Coast Express WAP4 #22714 of Lallaguda rushes past my train with teh Chennai-Nizamuddin Rajdhani express Approaching Vijayawada.... This is Vijayawada Electric Loco Shed... Vijayawada Electric Trip Shed has full attendence today... seen from left to right are: Vijayawada WAG5 #24439, Asansol WAG5 #23338, Lallaguda WAG9 #31148 and Vijayawada WAG5 #23004 WAG9 #31134 of Lallaguda stands light at Vijayawada... Another look at WAG9 #31134 of Lallaguda, standing at Vijayawada... My train, while being detained at Ottapalam, owing to a landslide near Chalakudy. WAG5 #23632 of Itarsi arrives at Ottapalam with a long BTPN rake... WDG3A #14670 of Golden Rock, with a companion from home, work a long LPG tanker rake towards Palakkad... This is the marvel of Kerala! My train heads towards Thrissur, through a very serene area...

Published in Railway Junction Galleria

]]> Fri Jul 10 2009 On the Parasuram, to Kannur http://irj.fotopic.net/c1719649.html Some images taken whilst a short ride on the Parasuram Express, from Thrissur to Kannur Friday 26 June 2009: Some images taken whilst a short ride on the Parasuram Express, from Thrissur to Kannur

WDM3A #14139 of Ernakulam pulls into Thrissur, in pouring rain, with the Nizamuddin bound Mangala Express in tow... The Jumbo returns.... yet again! WDM2 #17847 of Itarsi crawls into Thrissur with the Kochuveli bound Kerala Sampark Kranti Express in tow... WAP4 #22270 of Erode arrives at Thrissur with the Trivandrum bound Sabari Express in tow.. Call it civic sense! A man unloads his biological load on to the tracks, as the red monster prowls not so away from him... WAP4 #22281 of Erode arrives at Thrissur with the Mangalore bound Parasuram Express in tow... My train - Parasuram Express - arrives at Wadakkenchery... Monsoon magic in God's own country! Kerala at its best, as the monsoon looms low to open up on us... Palakkad Division's first signal on this section. This signal controls the entry of train from Trivandrum division to Palakkad Division. The mickey route indicator is for trains by-passing Shoranur Junction. Notice the axle counter at the bottom of the signal post. Bharathapuzha Bridge.... Bharathapuzha - often called River Nila - was once the sign of the glorious waterways in Kerala. This river also marked the boundary between Travancore-Kochi state, and the British-ruled Madras Presidency. The river is now in a sad state owing to rampant sand quarrying WAP4 #22281 of Erode finally bids adieu to my train, as she goes away... The replacement loco - WDM3D #11239 of Erode, comes in to take charge of my train, for its journey ahead to Mangalore. WDM2 #16672 of Erode (ex-Ernakulam) shunts at Shoranur Junction... the loco was reversing to take charge of a passenger train to Nilambur.. notice the shunt signal displaying clear aspect. WAP4 #22660 of Erode arrives at Shoranur with the Hyderabad bound Sabari Express in tow... Here we start from Shoranur... the line seen on the right heads to Nilambur. The crane is seen working on re-alignment of the double line section between Shoranur and Karakad. Erode's old star! WDM2 #17141 now bears a An unidentified WDG3A reverses a short BTPN rake on to the main line at Feroke, from an IndianOil oil reserve... A long The Mechanical WDS6 #36015 of Golden Rock is in charge of the My train enters Kozhikode. My train was handled on the newly built Platform #4. WDM2 #17108 of Ernakulam waits on Platform 1, with the Kannur-Ernakulam Intercity express in tow.... notice the towers of Kozhikode station in the background... WDM2 #16875 of Golden Rock stands light at Kozhikode station... notice the famed 'clock tower' of Kozhikode station in the background This is called crowd... a heavy crowd awaits the arrival of Parasuram express at Kozhikode... Inside my AC Chair Car coach.... My train waiting at Mahe... notice that the starter is green, but the train did not start for quite a while WDM3A #14124 of Ernakulam shunts the rake of the evening passenger to Kozhikode... Welcome to Kannur! Notice the number of points in the image, to have a idea of the complicated nature of the yard layout Treasure beneath!!! This is a level crossing somewhere inside Palakkad. There is a railway line beneath the thick foliage. That is the under-conversion, Palakkad-Pollachi railway line. The saga called Gauge Conversion: This is the status of a railway bridge near Palakkad. The line that was once carried by the bridge connected Palakkad to Pollachi (and beyond to a very vast MG network, in this hey days). Notice one girder lying in a displaced state

Published in Railway Junction Galleria

]]> Fri Jun 26 2009 Railfanning in Kerala http://irj.fotopic.net/c1714486.html Images from short Railfanning sessions in Kerala - another prospective album to be updated frequently.... Friday 19 June 2009: Images from short Railfanning sessions in Kerala - another prospective album to be updated frequently....

WAP4 #22224 of Erode enters Thrissur with the Trivandrum bound Sabari Express in tow... the train on the other platform was the Shoranur bound Venad express Wow! An Off-link, and that too a Jumbo!!! WDM2 #17847 of Itarsi pulls in the Kerala Sampark Kranti Express from Chandigarh, into Thrissur... notice the crow starting its flight... WDM2 #16565 of Ernakulam enters Thrissur with the Mangala Express, to Nizamuddin, in tow... The Jumbo yet again... WDM2 #17847 of Itarsi waits patiently for her starter... WAG7 #27654 of Erode pulls into Thrissur with a BCNA rake, towards Ernakulam WAP4 #22270 of Erode rushes towards Thrissur, with the Mangalore bound Parasuram express in tow... notice the clear starter for the BCNA rake... A closer look at WAP4 #22270 of Erode with Parasuram Express Call it courage or carelessness....Cleaning staff go about clearing the thrash on the tracks unmindful of a beast lurking behind.... WAP4 #22281 of Erode with the Hyderabad bound Sabari Express Two monsters together!!! WAP4 #22557 of Erode approaches Thrissur with the Trivandrum bound Netravati Express in tow, as the WAM4 #20656 of Arakkonam enters Thrissur with the Guruvayur-Ernakulam passenger... WAP4 #22232 of Erode pulls into Thrissur with the Shalimar-Nagercoil Gurudev Express Finally Gurudev gets her starter, while a WAP4 rushes through with the Dehradun Expres... this is the only train to skip Thrissur.... WAP4 #22655 of Erode rushing through Thrissur with the Kochuveli-Dehradun Express... WAP4 #22785 of Arakkonam pulls into Thrissur with the Trivandrum bound Venad Express in tow... the train had 23 coaches. WAP4 #22696 of Erode heading to Wadakkenchery with the legendary WAP4 #22665 of Erode heads to Ernakulam with the 2677 intercity from Bangalore in tow... WAP4 #22669 of Erode rushing through to Shoranur with the LTT bound Netravati Express in tow... WAP1 #22008 of Arakkonam with a very late running Gorakhpur-Trivandrum Raptisagar Express WAP4 #22774 of Arakkonam heads to Thrissur with the Alappuzha bound Here is the grand lady! WAP4 #22298 of Erode rushes past with the New Delhi bound Kerala Express in tow... WAP4 #22624 of Arakkonam tugs a dead WDM3A (#16084 of Ernakulam) towards Ernakulam, along with the Shoranur-ERS Passenger... The passenger goes on... notice the grade and the curve ahead WDM2 #16884 of Golden Rock rushes past with the Kannur Intercity in tow... WDG3A #14641 of Golden Rock rushing through Punkunnam with a tanker rake in tow... WAM4 #21266 of Arakkonam heads to Punkunnam with the 2683 Ernakulam Express in tow... WDM2 #16668 of Ernakulam running through Punkunnam station with the Ernakulam Intercity in tow... WAM4 #20581 of Arakkonam rushes through with the Guwahati express in tow.... Idapalli Station... this station was renovated very recently... The station building, closer.... WAP4 #22550 of Erode starts from Idapalli (a suburb of Ernakulam), hauling the Chennai-Alappuzha Express to its destination... WDM2 #16875 of Golden Rock heads to Ernakulam with the Kannur-Alappuzha express in tow, past Idapalli... WAP4 #22730 of Erode approaches Ernakulam Town with the 2202 Kochuveli-LTT Garib Rath Express in tow... Ernakulam Diesel Loco Shed... seen in the image are two inmates parked on the WDM3A #14051, and her We have a visitor today! WDM3A #14011 of Bhagat ki Kothi stands still outside the Ernakulam DLS. The loco brought in the Marusagar Express from Jaipur this morning. Impeccable rebuild!!! WAP4 #22295 of Erode now sports a top-mounted headlamp.... seen here is the loco resting at Ernakulam Junction Erode twin, WAG7 #27644 and #27466 rest on the main line at Ernakulam Junction WAP4 #22341 of Erode departs from Thrissur with the Mangalore bound Parasuram Express in tow... WAP4 #22669 of Erode arrives at Thrissur with the Hyderabad bound Sabari Express in tow... A board of errors! The very same division that operates Kochuveli, refers the same station as WAP4 #22728 of Erode arriving at Thrissur with the Ernakulam passenger, from Guruvayur Heritage uncovered!!! This is the erstwhile Cochin Maharaja's rest room A close up of the Royal Insignia WAG5 HA #23353 of Asansol rushing through Thrissur with a BCNA rake in tow...

Published in Railway Junction Galleria

]]> Fri Jun 19 2009 A short train journey, and some Railfanning in Kerala.... http://irj.fotopic.net/c1707483.html Images from an assorted collection of railfanning moments in Kerala... album expected to be updated frequently.... Thursday 28 May 2009: Images from an assorted collection of railfanning moments in Kerala... album expected to be updated frequently....

WAP4 #22306 of Erode rushing past with the Kollam-Kottayam Passenger, somewhere near Changanassery The plaque announcing the commencement of works on the Ernakulam-Alappuzha section... works were inaugurated on 15th April 1979.. The Plaque announcing inauguration of works on Alappuzha-Kayamkulam section... this work commenced on 17th January 1989. WAP4 #22693 of Arakkonam prepares to start from Alappuzha with the 6042 express to Chennai... Another look at WAP4 #22693 with the Chennai Express... WAP4 #22712 of Arakkonam comes into Cherthala with the Kollam passenger in tow... WAP1 #22005 of Arakkonam - in the Sapthagiri Livery - waits with an unknown passenger, at Ernakulam Junction... Surprise!!! WDM2 #17249 of Itarsi idling at Ernakulam Junction!!! WDS6 #36011 of Golden Rock dozing off at Ernakulam Junction... WAP4 #22341 of Erode, tugging dead WAM4 #20581 of Arakkonam, prepares to start the Trivandrum bound Jan Shatabdi WAG7 #27212 of Gomoh waits at Ernakulam Town with the Howrah-Nagercoil Express... The Chennai Express, somewhere near Aluva.... Look at the crowd getting off the train at Chalakudi... WAP4 #22617 of Arakkonam waits for the Starter at Thrissur with the Hyderabad bound Sabari Express in tow... WAG5 #23291 of Arakkonam pulls into Thrissur with the Guruvayur-Ernakulam passenger in tow... WDM2 #17805 of Ernakulam (ex-Jumbo) pulls into Thrissur with the Nizamuddin bound Mangala Express in tow... WAP4 #22730 of Erode rushes into Thrissur with the LTT-Kochuveli Garib Rath in tow... WDM3A #16479 R of Erode brings in the rake of the Trivandrum Jan Shatabdi, at Ernakulam Junction... WAP4 #22388 of Erode comes in to take charge of the Jan Shatabdi to Trivandrum... Inside my coach - C1... The Alappuzha-Chennai Express comes into Ernakulam Junction, behind WAP4 #22244 of Erode... notice the people on the tracks, waiting to pounce on the train... My Jan Shatabdi waits at Ambalapuzha for a cross... the last image of the day. The train that was crossed was the Kochuveli-Bangalore Express

Published in Railway Junction Galleria

]]> Thu May 28 2009 Weekend on the rails..... http://irj.fotopic.net/c1702787.html A weekend spend on the rails... a pot-pourri of locations, and variety of action..... Saturday 23 May 2009: A weekend spend on the rails... a pot-pourri of locations, and variety of action.....

WAM4 #21275 of Vijayawada rolls through BYPL with the Bangalore bound Sheshadri Express in tow... A Marikuppam bound DEMU rolls towards BYPL... notice the grade on the background... WAG5 twins #23429 and #23723 of Arakkonam heads towards BYPL yard with a short BOXN consist... The now abandoned line towards Vimanapura... The 'local' boss shouts at his intruders unmindful of a monster lurking around.... WAP4 #22793 of Arakkonam belts past with the Bangalore bound Brindavan Express in tow... The Arakkonam twins now return after dropping their load at the yard. WDM3A #16073 of Itarsi, with a sister from Itarsi, heads to SBC with the Karnataka Express in tow... WDM2 #17781, coupled to another WDM2, from Guntakal slowly join the main line outside BYPL, heading the Yeshwantpur-Bhagalpur Express.... WAM4 #20604 of Itarsi, an off-link, works the Bangalore-Kakinada Sheshadri Express, towards BYPL WDM3A #18897 of Kazipet picks up slowly from BYPL with the Jaipur express in tow.. WDG3A #13268 of Krishnarajapuram moves light towards BYPL... WDP4 #20042 of Krishnarajapuram approaches Chennasandra with the Prashanti Express in tow... WAP4 #22776 of Arakkonam heads the Brindavan Express to Chennai... The Sunday dawns... WDG3A #13263 of Krishnarajapuram, heading a twin, works a BCNA rake through BYPL... notice Bharath looking curiously at the loco... WDM3D #11183 of Erode ascends the ramp at Chennasandra with the Ernakulam bound Intercity Express in tow... WDG3A #13035 of Krishnarajapuram pulls out of BYPL with the Marikuppam Passenger in tow.. WDM3A #16294 R of Krishnarajapuram leads the Howrah-Yeshwantpur Express.... WAP1 #22018 of Arakkonam heads out with the Lalbbagh express to Chennai... WDM3A #16296 R of Krishnarajapuram rushes past Chennasandra By-pass cabin with the Yeshwantpur bound Garib Rath Express, from Pondicherry, in tow... WDP4 #20043 of Krishnarajapuram comes in with the Kacheguda-Bangalore express Two trains together!!! As the YPR Garib Rath goes on the 'fly-over', the Kacheguda Express to Bangalore rolls through towards BYPL. WDM2 #17526 of Krishnarajapuram rolls light towards its shed, as a WAP4 approaches BYPL with a Bangalore bound Express WAP4 #22517 of Arakkonam approaches closer with the Express... WDM2 #16670 of Krishnarajapuram rushes past an LC gate near Yelahanka with the YPR bound Basava Express A Guntakal loco comes down a marvellous grade with the Vijayawada passenger... The pilot notches up as the train hits the grade... Notches further.... Up closer... WDM2 #16656 of Guntakal heads past with the Yeshwantpur-Vijayawada Passenger... at an LC near Yelahanka A villager goes past his morning rituals unmindful of the beast lurking behind... WDG3A #14700 of Gooty rushes past the LC with the Kacheguda-Yeshwantpur Express WDM3A #17994 of Krishnarajapuram approaches Yeshwantpur with the Salem-YPR Passenger WDM3A #16017 of Kazipet - a Rajdhani special loco - goes past the recently opened Yeswantpur By-pass line.... WDP4 #20039 of Krishnarajapuram prepares to depart with the Vasco Express at YPR.... WDG3A #14700 of Gooty prepares to depart with the Kacheguda express, at Yeshwantpur WDM3A #16294 R of Krishnarajapuram takes a well deserved rest at Yeshwantpur. Behind this loco was #13031 of Krishnarajapuram WDM2 #17603 of Krishnarajapuram prepares to depart with the Salem Passenger in tow... WDP4 #20044 of Krishnarajapuram rolls light through BYPL... WAP4 #22787 of Arakkonam rushes past BYPL with the Chennai bound Shatabdi Express... A closer look at WAP4 #22787 of Arakkonam... The Shatabdi gets an amber starter at BYPL... WAP4 #22543 of Erode rushes past the Satellite Goods Terminal at Whitefield with the Kochuveli Express in tow... WAP1 #22010 of Arakkonam approaches SGT with the Bangalore passenger in tow... WDG3A #13268 of Krishnarajapuram goes light to pick up a load from SGT.... WAP4 #22697 of Arakkonam rushes past SGT with Jolarpet Express

Published in Railway Junction Galleria

]]> Sat May 23 2009 Weekend trip to Kerala http://irj.fotopic.net/c1699440.html A short weekend trip to Kerala from Bangalore... all the images are from a short railfanning session, that took place prior to the journey. The return journey from Kerala was by bus. Friday 15 May 2009: A short weekend trip to Kerala from Bangalore... all the images are from a short railfanning session, that took place prior to the journey. The return journey from Kerala was by bus.

WDM3D #11188 of Erode has a short break at Bangalore, after bringing in the 1014 from Coimbatore... WDS6 #36243 of Krishnarajapuram deposits the rake of Karnataka Express on Platform 1... Another look at WDM3D #11188 of Erode, resting at SBC. Notice two inspection cars parked on the adjacent line... WDS6 #36243 goes off after depositing the rake of Karnataka Express.... WDP4 #20009 of Hubli comes into Platform 7 with the Shatabdi Express... WAP4 #22618 of Arakkonam goes out of Platform 6 to take charge of the Chennai bound Shatabdi Express... The twins for Karnataka! WDM2 #17286 and WDM3A #18960 of Itarsi prepare for their departure back... WDM3A #17994 of Krishnarajapuram brings the rake of Kochuveli Express from Cantonment.... The 2008 Shatabdi goes away... perhaps with this rake for one of its last runs... WAG5 #23826 of Vijayawada prepares to start from Platform 2 with the Sheshadri Express to Kakinada.... WDM3A #17902 of Krishnarajapuram arrives at SBC with the passenger from Marikuppam... Sisters from Arakkonam... WAP4 #22794 with the Kochuveli Express, and WAM4 #20573 with the rake of Bangarpet express..... WDM3A #18904 of Krishnarajapuram prepares to depart with the Mysore bound Chamundi express, from Platform 6. WAP4 #22729 of Erode is brought in by a couple of WAM4s... this loco later worked by 0644 special to Ernakulam... One of the WAM4s that brought in the wappie.. WAM4 #21221 of Arakkonam stands still near the starter.... this was my last photograph of the day..

Published in Railway Junction Galleria

]]> Fri May 15 2009 Get together at Bangalore City - with VSP http://irj.fotopic.net/c1688858.html A four hour long get-together of IRFCA-Bangalore members, meeting VS Prasad from Hyderabad.... Sunday 26 April 2009: A four hour long get-together of IRFCA-Bangalore members, meeting VS Prasad from Hyderabad....

WAM4 #20613 of Arakkonam moves out of Bangalore City station, to pick up the rake of the WAP1 #22018 of Arakkonam stands on Platform 5, awaiting the Shatabdi Express from Mysore... WAP4 #22784 of Arakkonam prepares to start from Bangalore with the Kochuveli Express... WDS6 #36016 of Krishnarajapuram stands with some coaches of Chennai Mail, as big brother - WDP4 #20024 - looks on Dare underestimate me, eh? WDS6 #36016 pulls out part of the rake of Chennai mail WDG3A #13248, coupled to #13304, of Gooty wait at Bangalore City. The duo took out the Karnataka Express, later. WDP4 #20009 of Hubli comes in with the Mysore-Chennai Express... WDG3A #13049 of Krishnarajapuram pulls into Bangalore City with the YM1 Special to Mysore WDG3A #13049 comes closer.. with YM1 special The Shatabdi goes out finally.... the leading power car was 'borrowed' from a Garib Rath The new 'aerodynamic' DEMU... WDS6 #36023 of Krishnarajapuram waits on Platform 1.... Another look at the aerodynamic DEMU WDP4 #20024 continues its sleep on Platform 4... WDM3A #17970 of Krishnarajapuram pulls out of SBC with the 1014 LTT Express Look at the crowd! Just notice that the disabled coach was marked as WDM3D #11187 of Erode comes out from Platform 2 after bringing in the 1014 express from Coimbatore... The WDM2 #17601 of Krishnarajapuram prepares to start the Chamundi Express to Mysore... The DEMU finally arrives at the coaching yard WDP4 #20045 of Krishnarajapuram prepares to start the Kacheguda Express WAP4 #22626 of Arakkonam prepares for her duties later in the evening...

Published in Railway Junction Galleria

]]> Sun Apr 26 2009 A short Malabar odyssey http://irj.fotopic.net/c1685383.html A set of images from a short trip from Kannur to Thrissur by the 6306 Ernakulam Intercity... Saturday 11 April 2009: A set of images from a short trip from Kannur to Thrissur by the 6306 Ernakulam Intercity...

WDM3D #11183 of Erode rushes past a Level cross near Kasargod with a Mangalore bound Express WDM3A #14051 of Ernakulam prepares for her run home, with the 6306 Ernakulam Intercity Express... The reservation chart of my coach... notice the remark The reason.... An AC 3-Tier Coach was deputed to work as C2 instead of a normal AC Chair Car. This coach had 7 coaches less than a Chair Car. The starter turns amber for my train... WDM3D #11195 of Erode prepares for a late afternoon departure with the Shoranur Passenger from Kannur... WDM3A #14047 of Krishnarajapuram dozes off at Kannur with the rake of Kannur-Yeshwantpur Express... Adieu to Kannur... This route is full of such twists and turns... WDM2 #16803 of Erode rushes past my train with the Jammu Tavi - Mangalore Navyug Express Golden Rock twins, WDM2 #17699 and #16875 wait for their load at Vadakara... The unnotice hardworkers.... WDM3A #18555 of Ernakulam rushes past my train with the Mangalore Fast Passenger from Coimbatore.. WDG3A twins, led by #13467 of Gooty, wait at Kozhikode with a long BCNA rake... Kozhikode Station.... it was overcast at the time of the photograph... WDG3A #14641 coupled to WDM2 #18374, both from Golden Rock, wait for us to overtake at Feroke... Another look at the Golden Rock twins working a BTPN rake, at Feroke WDM3A #14139 of Ernakulam rushes past my train with the Kochuveli-LTT Garib Rath Express WDM3A #14080 of Ernakulam rushing past Tanur with the Nizamuddin bound Mangala Express WDM2 #16878 of Golden Rock starts from Kuttipuram with the Coimbatore - Kannur Passenger in tow... Its green for us from Kuttipuram... Ah! Here the loco smokes... WDM3D #11239 of Erode rushes past my train with the LTT bound Netravati Express in tow... This is how the loco responded to a green starter ahead... Approaching Pallipuram... Starter Clear.... A construction special on the siding... notice the points WDS6 #36013 of Golden Rock is in charge of the construction special WDM2 #16480 of Erode heading a twins, working a BCNA rake WAP4 #22766 of Arakkonam dozing off at Shoranur... Rushing through Akamala... This is Wadakkenchery station... This is C1... an 84-built ICF AC Chair Car coach

Published in Railway Junction Galleria

]]> Sat Apr 11 2009 Weekend get-together at Baiyappanahalli http://irj.fotopic.net/c1685373.html A small get-together at Baiyappanahalli, last Sunday. Also included are a set of images of the new BEML AC rake parked at their sidings. Sunday 19 April 2009: A small get-together at Baiyappanahalli, last Sunday. Also included are a set of images of the new BEML AC rake parked at their sidings.

The empty rake of the Kolar DEMU heads towards Bangalore Cantt.. WAP1 #22011 of Arakkonam heads out with the Bangalore-Patna Sanghamitra Express... note all the flags.. Another look at WAP1 #22011 .. a pretty non-Arakkonam style of painting. WDG3A #13249 of Krishnarajapuram tugs her sister towards the BYPL yard... The other loco was WDG3A #13345 of Krishnarajapuram WAM4 #21239 of Arakkonam comes into BYPL with the Arakkonam Passenger.. WDP4 #20059 heads back to Krishnarajapuram DLS... She was tugging WDP4 #20032... WAP1 #22047 of Ghaziabad belts through Baiyappanahalli with the Mysore bound 2007 Shatabdi Express in tow. This ICF Rake is in its last few weeks of service. Another view of WAP1 #22047 of Ghaziabad with the Shatabdi to Mysore.. WDM3A #17902 of Krishnarajapuram heading to BYPL yard... The old office of the SM at Baiyappanahalli... notice the Triplets from Krishnarajapuram... the locos were WDM3A #17995, WDG3A #13053 and WDG3A #13367. WDG3A #14639 of Krishnarajapuram rushing through BYPL... the loco came in with full dynamic brakes applied.. The elusive AC EMU for WR... The EMU: Markings can be seen clearly... The BP Apparatus. A closeup of the Brake compressor The rake once again... Rectifiers.... The bogies... notice the secondary AIR suspension A view at the entire rake... Another look at the rake. The overall finish of this rake looked far better than the The couplers and Brake Pipe assembly...

Published in Railway Junction Galleria

]]> Sun Apr 19 2009 Metric Musings: The Magical line across the Vindhyas... http://irj.fotopic.net/c1669699.html A huge album containing images with a long, winding trip to the magical line across the Vindhyas, cutting across the mystical ghats between Patalpani and Kalakund, and the spectacular spiral between Akola and Khandwa.... plus the images of the travel to the place from Bangalore... Thursday 12 March 2009: A huge album containing images with a long, winding trip to the magical line across the Vindhyas, cutting across the mystical ghats between Patalpani and Kalakund, and the spectacular spiral between Akola and Khandwa.... plus the images of the travel to the place from Bangalore...

WDM3A #18897 of Kazipet prepares to head out of Bangalore with the Nizamuddin Rajdhani.... The dinner served at night The morning tea... Good Morning... the cloud patterns were amazing... Sunrise through the window... thanks to the advertisements, our view outside was horrible Colin busy videographing.... WDG3A twins #14786 and #14891 of Kazipet gets overtaken by my train at Nagalapalli, working a BCNA rake. My first MMTS spotting: An MMTS train gets ready to head to Falaknuma, from Lingampalli.. Another view of the Falaknuma bound MMTS, at Lingampalli... Our Rajdhani heading to Secundrabad... notice the multi-liveried coaches... Entering Hafizpet... look at the gradient on the main line... WDG4 #12104 gets overtaken by my train at Hafizpet.. the load was a BOXN rake... Bizzy goes shutter happy at Bharatnagar.... WDG3A #14890 & #14779 of Kazipet roams around the loop line at Sanathnagar... A Lingampalli bound MMTS rushes off The 'famed' shunting loop at Secunderabad WDP4 #20057 shunts the rake of the Falaknuma express.... Another view of WDP4 #20057 on the shunting ramp with the rake of Narayanadri Express/Falaknuma Express WAP4 #22512 of Lallaguda rushes past my train with the Charminar Express from Chennai Entering Secunderabad WAP7 #30239 of Lallaguda comes into to take charge of my train at Secunderabad. My loco poses with WDM3D #11243 of Kalyan (working the Konark Express) at Secunderabad. WAP4 #22776 of Lallaguda comes in to Secunderabad with the Vishakapatnam - Secundrabad Garib Rath WAG9 #31146 of Lallaguda working a BOXN rake gets overtaken... an unknown train was pulling into the station at that time. Here comes the Breakfast! This is the Veg option.... Tea @ 120 kmph! <br/> Its hard to make tea at this speed - thanks to the heavy rolling and pitching. The multi-coloured Rajdhani after Kazipet... this image was taken after we crossed over the Kazipet-Warangal triangle and entered the main line... Here comes the lunch... WDG3A #14553 and #14689 - of Kazipet - get ready to pull out a rake from Balharshah A map installed inside our coach of the Rajdhani. The map was WAG7 #27843 coupled to #27702 - both from Bhilai - come to the rescue of a BCNA rake worked by a Tuglakhabad WAG7, at Sevagram. WDS6 #36254 of Itarsi roams around Ajni yard.... WAG7 #27969 coupled to #27804, both from Bondamunda, wait patiently at Nagpur yard... ZDM3A #183, perhaps from Motibagh, comes in to take the evening passenger to Chhindwara, from Nagpur... ZDM3A #183 strikes a pose with her load, the 9 coach passenger to Chhindwara. A closer look at ZDM3A #183. The loco was named The 9-coach passenger heads off to Chhindwara.... WAP4 #22642 of Lallaguda waits for the starter at Nagpur, with the New Delhi bound AP Express. WAM4 #20588 of Itarsi waits patiently for her load, at Nagpur. WAG9 H #31206 without any shed markings, roams around Nagpur with a 'light' 8 wagon BOXN rake... WAP4 #22576 of Santragachi comes into Nagpur with the Mumbai bound Jnaneshwari Express in tow... WAM4 #21361 of Bhilai dozes off near the NG terminus of Nagpur, awaiting her load. The marvellous sYummy Ktation building at Nagpur WAM4 #21329 of Bhusawal prepares to head out of Nagpur with the Pune Garib Rath Express YDM4 #6719 of Mhow prepares for her long haul to Ratlam, with the 458B passenger, from Akola... Another view of YDM4 #6719 of Mhow with 458B to Ratlam, at Akola YDM4 #6660 of Mhow sleeps off at Akola, near a steam crane and an accident relief rake Yummmm!!! Kachoris formed a major part of our food for the day... seen here is Dilip Setlur and Karthik stocking up a few of them... The puny loco did not leave us disappointed... she did smoke :) Vibin all set with a GPS handset, tracking the entire route...

Published in Railway Junction Galleria

]]> Thu Mar 12 2009 A weekend jaunt to Trivandrum http://irj.fotopic.net/c1648089.html A set of images from a short-sweet weekend trip to Trivandrum, from Bangalore. The journey to Trivandrum was by 6526 Kanyakumari Express, and the return was by bus. Friday 30 January 2009: A set of images from a short-sweet weekend trip to Trivandrum, from Bangalore. The journey to Trivandrum was by 6526 Kanyakumari Express, and the return was by bus.

WAP4 #22555 of Erode prepares to take out my 6526 Kanyakumari express from Bangalore City Junction... there was no place to keep my camera for a long exposure, so had to do with this high-ISO image.... WAP4 #22647 of Arakkonam coupled to another WAP4 waits on Platform 2 of Bangalore.... Good Morning! Here we move out of Palakkad Junction.... One look at Palakkad station... As the sun rises across the paddy fields around Palakkad.... WAG7 #28025 of Erode rushes through Ottapalam with a BCNA rake in tow.... A kid poses outside his home - a railway quarters - at Mannanur.... The foggy side of the station! The Palakkad end of Mannanur station.... And finally the starter turns green for my train.... The abandoned Bharatapuzha station.... WDM2 #16668 of Ernakulam rushes past my train with the Kannur Intercity in tow... Entering my Home territory! This is Thrissur Station... WAG5 twins led by #23874 of Vijayawada moves out of Thrissur... The trailing loco was WAG5 #23664 of Vijayawada.... The Shoranur Passenger starts from an unknown station with a WAM4 doing the honours WDM2 #17375 of Erode rushes past my train with the Mumbai Weekly express.. WDM3D #11200 of Erode rushing past my train near Edapalli with the Bangalore Intercity in tow... WAP4 #22244 of Erode pulling out of Ernakulam Town with the Venad Express in tow... My loco! WAP4 #22555 of Erode waits for the starter at Ernakulam Town... I had a mad dash of 18 coaches to get this pic :) WAG7 #27592 of Kazipet working a BTPN rake occupies the Main line at Ernakulam Town Here we turn towards the Kottayam line... the line going forward is the line towards Ernakulam Junction... This is the line coming from Ernakulam Junction, joining the Kottayam line This is Ernakulam Coaching Yard... WDS6 #36188 of Golden Rock roams around at the Coaching Yard... WDM2 #17684 of Tondiarpet pulls into Kottayam with the 6382 Mumbai CST Express in tow... The name board on an SLR of a Passenger train at Kottayam... the board lists its RSA clearly and the design is very nice WAM4 #21319 of Arakkonam in the Barbie livery sleeps off at the siding in Kottayam with the rake of the evening Kollam Passenger.... A line up of A pointsman at Chingavanam looks least scared about the monster approaching him.... WAP4 #22666 of Erode rushing past my train at Chingavanam with the Hyderabad bound Sabari Express.... A point to no-where? The line via Alappuzha comes in to join the Kottayam line (on which my train is running) at Kayamkulam... notice the chainage markers... the ALLP line reads WDM2 #16565 of Ernakulam shunts a short freight rake around Kayamkulam station.... My coach! WGACCN1 96125, based at SBC... this was B2, the eighteenth coach of the 22 coach train... notice that the coach had 72 berths instead of the usual 64.. thanks to SMB!!! Brothers in Arms! WDM2 #16671 (Left) sleeps off with the Kollam-Madurai Passenger, while WDM2 #16657 (R) sleeps with the Trivandrum Passenger in tow... while both are from ED, the one on the left is ex-ERS... WAP4 #22549 of Erode rushes past my train with our pairing train - 6525 Bangalore Express in tow... WDM7 #11009 of Tondiarpet rushing past my train light at Pettah WAP4 #22232 of Erode takes a well deserved rest at Trivandrum While WDM3A #18558 of Erode prepares to depart with the Bikaner Express, WAP4 #22765 of Arakkonam takes a nap at the siding... Seeing a WDM7 in action after long... WDM7 #11009 of Tondiarpet picks up speed as she shunts the empty rake of the Maveli Express from Kochuveli to Trivandrum Central... WAP4 #22764 of Arakkonam rushes past Kochuveli Home with the Ernakulam Intercity in tow... WAP4 #22695 of Arakkonam goes out with the Chennai Express Kochuveli never, ever, disappoints! WDM2 #16657 of Erode notches up after entering the main line with the Kollam-Trivandrum passenger in tow. more smoke.... WDM2 #16657 smokes up like never before! A closer look at WDM2 #16657 of Erode working the Kollam-Trivandrum Passenger WAP4 #22765 of Arakkonam clips past Kochuveli with the Ernakulam bound Vanchinad Express in tow... WAP4 #22555 of Erode (the same loco which brought my train to TVC) goes out with the TVC-Kollam Passenger... taken @ Trivandrum Pettah The iconic Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station...

Published in Railway Junction Galleria

]]> Fri Jan 30 2009 The IRFCA Convention - BNC2009 http://irj.fotopic.net/c1645400.html Images from the most awaited event of 2009! The IRFCA Convention at Bangalore! Image include those taken before the event, at the event, during some railfanning outings through the event and finally from a journey to Kerala after the convention Friday 23 January 2009: Images from the most awaited event of 2009! The IRFCA Convention at Bangalore! Image include those taken before the event, at the event, during some railfanning outings through the event and finally from a journey to Kerala after the convention

The preparations for the convention begin... The kits are about to be packed... Packing finally begins... Antony looks on as Pawan Koppa and Santosh Kulkarni get the works going... Ravi briefs Dheeraj Sanghi about the convention... Look... Antony stands guard to the convention kits... Register yourself here.. please! Sridhar Joshi looks on as Srinivas and Manish sort out the badges The Convention hall... Perhaps the oldest delegate to attend, Mr Venkat, checks for his name on the chart, while Shishir looks on... The reservation chart... The memento given to invitees.. Vibin strikes a pose :) TTE Saaaar! So here come the invitees..... The chief guest, Mr Praveen Kumar, strikes a small pose Our TTE looks on as Dr Vrijlesh makes the first entry to the live blog-cast... Here is the first entry... The invitees are on the dais... From Left to Right, Mr Sivasailam, Mr Praveen Kumar and Mr V Anand... So here begins the event... Mr V Anand welcoming the invitees and delegates to the event... A pretty full hall listening to the welcome address.. welcome address in progress.... So here goes the starter.... A book publication event... One of the authors of the book, Mr Sachin Sharma, speaks a few words about the book, as Mr Apurva (left) and Mr Joydeep (right) look on... Mr V Anand presenting a paper on coach design Mr Jimmy presenting a paper on the Cochin State Railways... WDP4 #20029 in a very bad shape starts from BNC with the Chennai Express in tow... WDP4 #20058 enters BNC with the Udyan Express - to Bangalore - in tow The second day begins... Mr Srinivas welcomes the delagates to the second day of the convention... Apurva Bahadur introduces the first presentation of the day... All set to start... Ashish Kuvelkar prepares to make his presentation Mr V Anand presents a memento to Mr Ashish for the fantabulous presentation that he presented... Apurva too gets his memento for his fair portion of the presentation. WAM4 #21243 of Vijayawada pulls out of Cantonment with the Sheshadri Express (to SBC) in tow... WDG3A #13225 of Gooty waits for the starter at BNC with the Prasanthi Express in tow WDG3A #14615 of Krishnarajapuram comes into BNC from Bangalore City to pick up the rake of the Kochuveli Express WDG3A #14615 of Krishnarajapuram pulls out of BNC with the empty rake of Bangalore-Kochuveli Express in tow WAP4 #22250 of Erode approaches Bangalore Cantonment with the Chennai bound Brindavan Express in tow... WDP4 #20023 of Krishnarajapuram leads a triplet heading to Bangalore City to pick up their respective departures at evening WDP4 #20057 was the trailing loco. The one in the middle was WDP4 #20036... WDP4 #20062 of Krishnarajapuram leads the Prashanti Express to Bhubaneshwar.. Notice the difference in the shade of blue on the Hood The runner up, Manish, gets his prizes at the end of the quiz The winner - Dr Jitendra Mulky (Left) from Dahanu Road gets his prize - looking on are Ranga Eunny (L) and Sridhar Joshi (R)... the gift is being handed over by Mr V Anand WDG3A #13043 and #13053 of Krishnarajapuram take charge of the 0677 Yeshwantpur-Kochuveli Garib Rath Special The rake all set to depart. Notice that the coach is numbered IRFCA Special! All 78 berths in our coach was vacant!!! SMB is not as bad as I thought, says Jimmy Locking it back needs assistance :( The entire coach, all for ourself! Deepak Murali is mood for meditation! Work never leaves me! Sreeram Balachander checks out something in his laptop...

Published in Railway Junction Galleria

]]> Fri Jan 23 2009