Meter gauge to MHOW

After walking down the hill to Choral Bridge #1 we arrived in time to get 6717 descending the hill to push the next train up the Ghats.

After photographing the banker I started climbing the hills near the bridge in search of a good vantage point. My climbing paid off and I photographed the over an hour late Akola-Mhow 52988 slowly crosses Choral Bridge #1 at 11:50

Wider view of 52988 crossing Choral Bridge #1

The familiar 6717 comes into view bringing up the end of the all maroon train. The bright red paint on most of these units has quickly weathered into a shade similar to the passenger coaches.

The train is visible through the trees behind the small village as the locos throttle up for the stiff 2.5 segment ahead.

From my high vantage point I could see and hear the train ascend the ghats before it disappeared out of view after crossing Ravine viaduct #1. The fertile farm fields below are a sharp contrast to the arid mountains above.

We waited an hour at Choral Bridge #1 expecting the 52987 come down hill with the much anticipated twin YDM4's as is usual when the banker is attached to the head of the train. However when the train came into view it was just the banker, evidently 52987

After a long uphill slog we finally reach ravine viaduct #2 and climbed up the hill on the north end of the viaduct. No sooner had we reached the top 52964 rounded the corner with another long hood forward red Mhow YDM4.

A minute later the train pops out of tunnel #3. Oddly the lead locomotive was not running, likely having failed on the grade but the 2nd locomotive was capable of pushing the short train up the hill.

The banker emerges from the tunnel and the valley is again filled with the ALCO music as it shoves the dead 6734 upgrade.

The shot I had been waiting all day for! 52964 rumbles across Ravine Viaduct #2 with the Choral River in the background.