Change in topography during the 100 km stretch from Shoranaur to Coimbatore - Stretch 1: Shoranaur to Palghat Jn. The tracks are dead straight, trains take good speed. B/W SRR and PTJ, 2005-10-12. Jimmy Jose.

Tracks run parallel to the river Bharathapuzha almost the entire stretch and is a real treat for the eyes. Jimmy Jose.

Stretch 2: Palght to Valayar on Kerala Border. Mighty western ghats seperate Kerala and Tamilnadu. Our train is dwarfed by the lofty mountains as it approaches the Palghat Pass. This pic is one of my favourite shots ever. B/W PTJ and Walayar Jimmy Jose.

This is the scenery on the other side as our train tackles the curve to enter the Palghat Pass. Jimmy Jose.

Mighty Western Ghats - view 1. Jimmy Jose.

Mighty Western Ghats - view 2. Jimmy Jose.

Stretch 3: Walayar - PodanurOur train has entered Tamil Nadu. Mountains still dwarf our train. but.... Jimmy Jose.

..... The topography has changed completely from lush green to semi green. All the greenery will soon be gone after Coimbatore. Jimmy Jose.

Grandly decorated YDM 4 6399 wait at Coimbatore Jn with the CBE-MDU Exp. This train still has a 2A coach. Jimmy Jose.

The famous Shoranaur Triangle - The line I am travelling is the Shoranaur-Chennai line. On the left is the Chennai-Ernakulam line and the right is Ernakulam-Shoranaur line. Centuries seperate construction of these railway lines. MAS-SRR built by Madras Railway in 1861, ERS-SRR was built by Maharajah of Cochin as an MG line in 1901, converted to BG in 1935 and ERS-MAS line (byepassing SRR) was built during 1970's. 2005-10-12. Jimmy Jose.

A trainload of Long Welded Rails wait behind Erode WDM 2 17141. The rake had guards and caboose on both ends. Shoranaur Jn Jimmy Jose.

Yet another blue Erode Diesel. This is WDG 3A 14667 mu'd with 14692 pulling out an enormous load from Palghat. The train had a total of 64 BCNA wagons, all loaded. Palghat Jn, 2005-10-12. Jimmy Jose.

A very very rare spotting of a Bhilai WAM 4 without any suffix like 6PD etc at Palghat. I think there is only one photo of a WAM 4 without sufix in the server. This is ultra rare. And how did this loco come here? This is not a link mix up anyway. Palghat jn Jimmy Jose.

Pollachi-Coimbatore MG line cross BG line at Podanur Jn. Jimmy Jose.

The sidings at Podanur Jn hold many goods rake and a Plasser Machine. No goods train go to Coimbatore Jn, but stop at Podanur, 6 km away instead. Jimmy Jose.

Golden Rock WDM 2 16880 rests after bringing the LTT-CBE Exp. For rail link maniacs - LTT-CBE Exp is hauled by a GOC WDM 2 from CBE to SBC. Coimbatore Jn, 2005-10-12. Jimmy Jose.

Old paint scheme Erode WDM 2 16564 heads the Trichy-Mangalaore Exp, onofficially called Link Express. 2005-10-12. Jimmy Jose.

Blue ED WDM 2 18335 with Shoranaur-Nilambur Road passenger. Shoranaur Jn Jimmy Jose.

Trivandrum bound Venad Express leaves behind ED WAP 4 22388. Shoranaur Jn, 2005-10-12. Jimmy Jose.

A SPART-SRR train. Any idea what it is?. Shoranaur Jn Jimmy Jose.

Bharathapuzha or Nila - the river that seperate kerala to north and south, this bridge seperates Trivandrum and Palghat divisions of SR now. Shoranaur Jimmy Jose.

The Itarsi twins put up a show with thier train. One of the sights I really like to see and hear. It is a real treat to watch heavy freight trains tackle heavy gardients along with sharp curves. These electrics make such a noise. Jimmy Jose.