Meter gauge to MHOW

After arriving in Mhow I headed to the diesel shed where I arranged permission to photograph the shed and locomotives. Here two YDM4's rest inside the shop, a hybrid between hundred year old construction from the days of steam and modern upgrades to accom

After arriving in Mhow I headed to the diesel shed where I arranged permission to photograph the shed and locomotives. Here two YDM4's rest inside the shop, a hybrid between hundred year old construction from the days of steam and modern upgrades to accom

6605 rests outside the shed alonside the ancient stone walls.

6315 rests outside the shed with the modern part of the shed in the background.

5 YDM4's sit out of service behind the shops, from front to back; 6540, 6415, 6300, 6375 and one unknown. Some of these are set to be scrapped, others repaired.

Another view of 6315. The contrast between the new diesel shed structure and the old steam shed is readily apparent.

Freshly overhauled 6735 roars in run 8 under load test before being released to service. The sound was deafening!

The breakdown train awaits the call to duty with some condemned passenger coaches in the background.

Closer view of W.R. crane 1238, this Cowans Sheldon steam crane has been converted from coal to oil as evidenced by the fuel tank mounted on top of the former coal bunker.

Ghostly reminders of the last days of steam in India, 3 YP Class steam locomotives sit derelict outside the shop, numbers 2803, 2323 and 2622. The first two are relatively complete but 2622 is missing all of its driving wheels. These will likely be restor

Rusted details of 2803's cab.

The Choral Ghats south of Patalpani are breathtaking even without a train. After bailing from the 52963 at the 2nd brake test point and climbing the hill this was Vivek Mishras and I's view, it would be a long 2 hrs before the next train.

Looking the other way Ravine Viaduct #2s fresh silver paint glows in the early morning light.

The tunnels unique oval shape is evident in this view inside Tunnel #3

After we had walked through tunnel 3 the near total silence of the ghats was interrupted by the distant rumble of a train much to our surprise. Well it wasnt a train but rather a heavily loaded 6717 headed down to Kalakund to bank trains up the ghats for

The 1876 built Ravine viaduct #1 glows in the early morning light, the brightly painted silver bridges make for a great black & white subject

A Cargo Fleet Steel and Iron stamp adorns the bridge, its amazing to think that this structure has been here for 140 years.

We took a break from our uphill deathmarch back to Patelpani at the famed rock cutting to photograph the banker descending the hill for the final time.

At long last we reached the waterfall at Patalpani and thankfully found a street vendor selling drinks and snacks of which we were in dire need. While recovering the signal dropped to clear and we heard the distant rumble of a YDM4....the Akola train alre

Finally at 0954 our long wait was over as 52975 slowly descended the ghats with dynamic brakes howling. Once again the damned 6576 was leading!

Easing across ravine viaduct number 2.

Ravine Viaduct #2 and the meter gauge train are dwarfed by the vast unspoiled Choral Valley.

The train exits the viaduct and eases towards the brake check halt.

52975 makes a quick brake test halt before proceeding into tunnel #3 and on south to Khandwa.

Though 52992 are scheduled to cross at Patalpani it is far likelier that 52992 will have racked up some delay on its trip from Mhow versus 52975 which is only a few miles out of the originating station. Such was the case today and 52992 is running an hour

Banker 6717 shoves hard on the rear of 52992 as it crosses Ravine Viaduct #2.

A closer view of the train crossing the immaculately painted 140 year old ravine viaduct #1