An unknown KJM WDM-2 hauls the 6529 Udyan Express from tunnel 22. View from the Bheran plateau near Monkey Hill. Near Monkey Hill in the Bhore ghats, 2004-03-06. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

The atmosphere is LOUD with the glorious sounds of the WDM-2 working all out, climbing the grade. Near Monkey Hill in the Bhore ghats, 2004-03-06. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

The loco leads the train into tunnel 23 which would open into the Monkey Hill yard. While the tunnel has two single lines, the down (climbing) line has a small opening through which the train can be seen - opening for ventilating the steam engines of the yore - a climbing loco would smoke more than the descending? Near Monkey Hill in the Bhore ghats, 2004-03-06. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

Triple WCG-2 bankers push the 6529 - the leading loco is yet to emerge from the tunnel 23. Near Monkey Hill in the Bhore ghats, 2004-03-06. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

Tiger valley on the left, Khopoli in the valley on the right, Monkey Hill yard in the front, the distant peak is the Duke's nose. Near Monkey Hill in the Bhore ghats, 2004-03-06. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

The bankers about to disappear in the tunnel. Near Monkey Hill in the Bhore ghats, 2004-03-06. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

The train speeds through the Monkey Hill yard. The grand Duke's Nose rules the landscape. Visible on the hill on the left is the toll and non-toll road (white line) towards Khandala - this used to be the railway line when the reversing station was operational till the late 1920s. The present day railway line is routed via the right face of the sharp hill in front. Through tunnels the railway would emerge at Khandala that is located on the left - it the point where the white line of the road would reach top level of the surrounding hills. The Rajmachi point is located below the tower in front of the Duke's nose. The Reversing Station is located behind the small hill to the right of the railway line. The Mumbai side of the toll and non-toll roads is located in the white patch near the reversing station. Near Monkey Hill in the Bhore ghats, 2004-03-06. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

Pune bound Koyna express (left) arrives on the down line while the late running Mumbai bound Sahyadri express (right) waits for the brake testing. This train is switched to the 3rd line via Nagnath to descend the ghats. Bheran plateau near Monkey Hill in the Bhore ghats., 2004-03-06. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

The raptors fly below our position taking advantage of the hot day and the air currents rising from the floor of the Tiger valley. Bheran plateau near Monkey Hill in the Bhore ghats., 2004-03-06. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

Mumbai bound Pragati express takes the middle line down the ghat. Bheran plateau near Monkey Hill in the Bhore ghats., 2004-03-06. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

One more pic of the descending Pragati express. Bheran plateau near Monkey Hill in the Bhore ghats., 2004-03-06. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

Pune bound Deccan Express arrives from Tunnel 22. Bheran plateau near Monkey Hill in the Bhore ghats., 2004-03-06. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

The two WCG-2 bankers pushing the Deccan Express. Bheran plateau near Monkey Hill in the Bhore ghats., 2004-03-06. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

Two WCG-2s hauling a BCN rake divert at MHC to take the 3rd line via Nagnath. Bheran plateau near Monkey Hill in the Bhore ghats., 2004-03-06. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

The Mumbai bound 7032 Hyderabad express heads towards tunnel 22. Bheran plateau near Monkey Hill in the Bhore ghats., 2004-03-06. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

Our buddy Shashank “Shanky” Nanda is in the 7th coach of the 7032 express ! I could talk to him on the mobile phone while his train waited at MHC but could not visually spot him. Bheran plateau near Monkey Hill in the Bhore ghats., 2004-03-06. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

WCG-2 #20151 leads two other WCG-2s into Monkey Hill with a BCN rake. Monkey Hill, 2004-03-06. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

The flag wielding khalasi holds up the WCG-2 #20120 and #20113 with a BFR as the line ahead is blocked for repairs. Monkey Hill, 2004-03-06. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

View of the twin bankers pushing the 1021 Indrayani towards Khandala. Monkey Hill, 2004-04-06. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

Memories of Monkey Hill and the Bheran plateau. Monkey Hill, 2003-12-13. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

View from the catch siding taken during the descent from the Bheran plateau. The tall electrical towers visible on the right of the sidings are the CR owned South East 1 and South East 2 feeders that carry the electricity to the substation (which step down and rectify the supply) along the Mumbai – Pune route. Monkey Hill, 6th March 2004. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

Looking towards the top of catches siding. An unfortunate train entering the catch siding would surely derail first. Note Devendranath trying to get that special low angle pic of the siding. Monkey Hill, 6th March 2004. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

End of the line, literally. The very end of the catch siding – there is a down gradient behind this, so a train better stop by this point. Monkey Hill, 6th March 2004. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

The enigmatic “tree” atop the Bheran plateau ! The “bush” visible in the black and white pic from the 1920s (http://www.irfca.org/photos/ReversingStn/mhc_bw) is actually this pile of rocks that marks the border between Pune and Raigad districts. (Picture may be deleted from the IRFCA server for having non-railway content). Bheran Plateau - Monkey Hill, 6th March 2004. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

Ashish watches Apurva hugging the “tree”. (Picture may be deleted from the IRFCA server for having non-railway content). Bheran Plateau - Monkey Hill, 6th March 2004. By John Mani.

Scene inside the Lonavala – Pune EMU while returning from the “Tree” trek. While Devendranath (left) and Ashish (middle) wear their caps, Apurva (right) uses his to hide the embarrassing tear in the crotch of his pants. Near Malavali, 6th March 2004. By John Mani.

Vintage cast iron chairs for the MHC catch siding. Monkey Hill, 6th March 2004. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).