Three on Satpura Narrow Gauge Spree

On a cool September day in overcast conditions, double headed 12141 Mumbai Rajendranagar express makes its way out of Jabalpur amid lush surroundings. (Gaurav Bhandari) (Sanket Gosavi)

We got a glimpse of Narrow Gauge treasure much before the journey. As our train 12141 Rajendranagar express crawling before entering into Jabalpur, out of nowhere appeared 58865 Balaghat Jabalpur passenger. Soon, the Narrow gauge train overtook 12141 and

Interiors of Satpura express Narrow Gauge First Class coach. First class coach is partitioned in 2 parts & the larger section accommodates 12 passengers while smaller cabin is for 4 passengers. Reason for such arrangement is, this coach was earlier us

Daybreak in Satpura Narrow Gauge lines. Satpura express gathered momentum post Howbagh. Son the Sun rose the horizon and the train was glistened in its golden rays. (Gaurav Bhandari) (Sanket Gosavi)

The old and the new : Satpura express passes over the old steel arch bridge on Narmada river. Seen on the right side is the newly constructed concrete bridge for Broad Gauge alignment. (Gaurav Bhandari) (Sanket Gosavi)

Beauty of single line semaphore territory. A Close up view of signal box at Shikara. (Sanket Gosavi)

ZDM 4A headed Satpura express during halt at Shikara. (Sanket Gosavi) (Sanket Gosavi)

The ghat section began after Kaldehi halt was skipped. Gradient in the ghat varies from 1 in 150 to the steepest 1 in 80. Seen here is 1 in 150 gradient at the beginning of ghat.(Sanket Gosavi) (Sanket Gosavi)

Satpura express marches ahead in the ghat. Ride in monsoon blessed ghat was a memorable one. Meandering little rake of Satpura express amidst verdant vegetation & intermittently crossing over small viaducts provided a marvelous treat to the eyes. (Rah

View of rear side of the rake as the train ascends the ghat. (Sanket Gosavi) (Sanket Gosavi)

Satpura express at Ghunsore. The First class coach in saffron-yellow-sky blue livery steals the show against the uniform colored coaches. Native women brings here fresh cucumber & corn cobs for sale. (Sanket Gosavi) (Sanket Gosavi)

Timetable at Ghunsore. Train numbers are recently changed to 5 digits. 58876 passenger has longish 45 minutes halt here for crossing. (Sanket Gosavi) (Sanket Gosavi)

G.K.Engineering, Howrah's Neal's Ball Token Instrument at Ghunsore. (Sanket Gosavi) ()

At Pindrai we had crossing with 58565 Balaghat Jablpur passenger. This is the Narrow gauge 2S-Sleeper composite coach. It accommodates 38 2S seats & 10 berths. (Sanket Gosavi) ()

This is the Narrow Gauge General coach. Seen at far middle is the lavatory. All the coaches in this section are equipped with fluorescent lights. (Sanket Gosavi) ()

Token exchange at Nainpur Junction where Satpura express arrived little ahead of time. Nainpur, four line Narrow gauge junction is cantre point of Satpura lines. (Sanket Gosavi) ()

Garib Rath of Narrow gauge wagons? BC Wagon converted accident relief coach at Nainpur in Garib Rath's livery. (Sanket Gosavi) ()

Dream come true! Railfan Rahul Sharma was obsessed with Nainpur ever since he joined IRFCA. He could not believe he was at Nainpur so posed below the station board. (Sanket Gosavi) (Sanket Gosavi)

Aerial view of Nainpur's pf. no. 2,3 & 4. Seen at right side is Satpura express berthed on pf # 2. (Sanket Gosavi) (Sanket Gosavi)

Another view of Nainpur depicting the spaciousness of its Narrow Gauge world. Seen on the left side is BOX Wagon with caboose, who welcomed our entry into Nainpur (Sanket Gosavi) (Sanket Gosavi)

Platform # 1 of Nainpur where Chhindwara bound passenger is berthed.(Sanket Gosavi) (Sanket Gosavi)

Z Class 2-8-2 'Satpura' steam loco of erstwhile Bengal Nagpur Railway, plinthed at Nainpur. (Sanket Gosavi) ()

Nainpur also serves as a watering halt for the trains. Seen here is the 2 down Satpura express being water filled at Nainpur. (Sanket Gosavi) ()

The two stalwarts of Motibagh, ZDM 4A #208 & 222 pose tall & close. Loco # 208 was in charge of Satpura express. (Sanket Gosavi) (Sanket Gosavi)

Sprawling old steam loco shed at Nainpur - Front view. (Sanket Gosavi) (Sanket Gosavi)

Nainpur old steam loco shed - Rear view. Shed is converted to Diesel loco shed but hardly used these days. (Sanket Gosavi) (Sanket Gosavi)

Satpura express skipped the passenger halt Padriganj where this Token Exchange moment was captured. (Rahul Sharma) ()