Satpura Farewell

The noon arrival from Chhindwara is being shunted to Motibagh along with its power 220 from Nagpur. (SRIRAM SRINIVASAN)

The dead loco which was to be transferred to Chhindwara for operating trains from there. (SRIRAM SRINIVASAN)

The 1245h service to Chhindwara is brought on to the Nagpur NG platforms from Motibagh yard. The ZDM-4A then reversed to take charge at the head of the rake. (Rajit Kumar)

The Satpura NG voyage begins onboard the only Sleeper Class coach on the system. We depart from NGP on the 58839 Nagpur - Nainpur - Jabalpur Passenger. Berths for sleeping are only on the upper level while the lower level consists of seats. (Vivek Manvi)

BG over NG. A perfect start for the trip. (SRIRAM SRINIVASAN)

As our train approaches Khaprikheda, the cooling tower of the Thermal Power Station loom large (Rajit Kumar)

VTO or Visibility Test Object position marked on a platform - probably Khaprikheda or Patansaongi (Mohan Bhuyan)

Crossing a late running 58832 at Khaprikheda (Rajit Kumar)

Token Exchange for 58840 at Khaprikheda. This must be the first ever time so many cameras of the railfans focused on the Pointswoman. (SRIRAM SRINIVASAN)

Railfans! (Mohan Bhuyan)

An elderly gents gets off the train at Kelod. The train was the cheapest mode of transport from these distant parts to cities like Nagpur. (Shashanka Nanda)

A group of ladies at Lodhikhera return home after picking up supplies in nearby towns. (Shashanka Nanda)

Passengers and guard all pose for the camera as we round a curve in the lush forests of the Chhindwara plateau. (Shashanka Nanda)

The monstrous Broad Gauge bridges have none of the charm of the steel and masonry Narrow Gauge ones (Shashanka Nanda)

Crossing some lovely stone viaducts on the way to Chhindwara (Rajit Kumar)

Lit up by the setting sun, the locomotive hauling the overnighter to Jabalpur catches its breath at Bhimalgondi (Shashanka Nanda)

Glowing in evening sunlight between Bhimalgondi and Khukrakhapa. (SRIRAM SRINIVASAN)

The day's service was also carrying a spare loco to run services out of Nainpur. This train often transported locos to and from the Motibagh shed. (Shashanka Nanda)

Past Bhimalgondi, the line to Chhindwara climbs steeply as our train heads into the setting sun (Shashanka Nanda)

Village folk returning home after cutting wood for their fires make way as the train rumbles past (Shashanka Nanda)

Double headed 58839 Nagpur-Nainpur-Jabalpur Passenger is lit up nicely by the golden evening sun as it gets ready to depart Kukrakhapa station on the Nagpur - Chhindwara section (Vivek Manvi)

The setting sun bathes the rake in stunning light at Bhimalgondi (Rajit Kumar)

Early morning passengers gathering at Chhindwara for the first services to Nainpur and Nagpur.

Staff prepare a loco for morning duties out of Chhindwara