Meter Gauge Magic

A southbound passenger enters Patalpani station under the shadow of the giant fig tree on the platform - Vikas Chander

Freight trains are non-existent on this section. But the Railways maintain a few flat car rakes to transport material for track maintenance. One such rake is stationed in Patalpani yard - Shashanka Nanda

The downhill grade starts immediately after Patalpani yard. The interlocked semaphore prevents unauthorised movements downhill. Any such train will be diverted on to the catch siding to the left - Shashanka Nanda

The view that greets a the LP of a train as he completes the ascent of the Ghat Section - Shashanka Nanda

A light banker heads downhill on a misty morning, to assist the first train of the day from Kalakund - Rajit Kumar

The signature shot of the section - a downhill train rumbling past the scenic Patalpani Waterfalls

Headlights blazing, engine chugging, an uphill train screams out of Tunnel #1 - Vikas Chander

After the waterfall, the railway line hugs the course of the river which is a tributary of the Choral, which is met roughly halfway down the Ghat Section.

Several stone and steel viaducts help the line cross the various chasms and breaks along its course. This is Viaduct #2

A sharp curve leads trains on to Viaduct #2 - Shashanka Nanda

A strange feature of trains on this section is that they run with a locked coach in almost every service. Anybody knows the reason? - Shashanka Nanda

Another view of the impressive steel pillars that hold the viaduct - Rajit Kumar

In between the viaduct and the tunnel, is a mandatory brake testing hall for all downhill movements. This is done to ensure the safety of trains on the section - Shashanka Nanda

The downhill passenger can still be seen after crossing the tunnel - Shashanka Nanda

A few kilometers further, the train crosses the smaller, ravine Viaduct #1 - Vikas Chander

Strong concrete retaining walls have been built in cuttings along the section, to reduce the risk of landslides - Vikas Chander

The unnamed, unsung heroes of Indian Railways go about their jobs - keeping our lives safe - Rajit Kumar

The locals use the permanent way as an easy access to travel to and from their villages. Recognising this need, the Railways have provided safe walking paths along bridges and viaducts on the section

An uphill train crosses one of two viaducts across the Choral river - Shashanka Nanda

Mhow based locos do duty on the entire section. Post isolation from the rest of the MG network - the defunct Mhow shed rose in prominence to become one of last remaining strongholds of MG locos in India - Vikas Chander

An uphill train crosses the Devil's Bridge - so called by railfans because of its number #666 - Rajit Kumar

A train arrives from the Khandwa side at Kalakund. It will be assisted up the Ghat by a banker locomotive at the rear

Sometimes bankers are brought down from Patalpani attached in front of the trains lead loco to save path

Sometimes they run down solo

While the banker gets attached; passengers and vendors indulge in a brisk session of buying and selling

Banker attached - it is time to leave!

The next major landmark on the line is the massive bridge over the Narmada at Omkareshwar Road - Rajit Kumar