Vindhyan Adventure - Bharath Moro, Vivek Manvi, Bharat Vohra, Shanx.
A photo series with an accompanying trip report
This weird contraption is known as the moped trolley. Used by the permanent way staff on the steep 1:60 ghat section, this trolley has been put together using a moped engine and sundry parts from an old Bajaj scooter. Dharakhoh, 2005-07-23. Bharat Vohra (
The quaint little station building at Dharakhoh and the lovely little tea stall which serves mainly railway personnel. 2005-07-23. Bharat Vohra (uploaded by Shashanka Nanda)
Monsoon clouds surround a hill formation to create a surreal effect. Kalyan - Kasara section, 2005-07. Vivek Manvi.
The 24-coach Secunderabad bound AP Express rounds a curve to head towards Nagpur. The train is headed by LGD WAP-4 #22304. Itarsi Jn, 2005-07. Vivek Manvi.
2616 GT Express halts at Dharakhoh for banker locos to be attached. Dharakhoh, 2005-07. Vivek Manvi.
Trekkers Shanx and Vikas Singh watch as GZB WAG-5 #23464 reverses. Dharakhoh, 2005-07. Vivek Manvi.
We start the trek at 09:30AM at Dharakhoh, which is at a height of 477.5 meters above sea level. Dharakhoh, 2005-07. Vivek Manvi.
2 kilometers into the trek - Bharath Vohra (leading), Bharath Moro and Shashanka. Dharakhoh - Maramjhiri, 2005-07. Vivek Manvi.
We come across the first tunnel - 4km into the trek. Shashanka (left) and Meenal size up the challenge. Dharakhoh - Maramjhiri, 2005-07. Vivek Manvi.
Bharat Vohra poses on the first viaduct on the line towards Nagpur. This area is surrounded by dense forests on all sides. Dharakhoh - Maramjhiri, 2005-07. Vivek Manvi.
An elaborate system to ensure that the stream water flows away! This ancient stone bridge is on the line going towards Itarsi. Dharakhoh - Maramjhiri, 2005-07. Vivek Manvi.
What a number!!! Twin BSL bankers led by WAG-5A #23333 get ready to travel back light towards Dharakhoh. Maramjhiri station can be seen in the background. Maramjhiri, 2005-07. Vivek Manvi.
Five hours later - we reach our destination - Maramjhiri, which is at a height of 637 meters above sea level. We trekked for 13 kilometers and effectively climbed 160 meters. Maramjhiri, 2005-07. Vivek Manvi.
On the way back - Raipur WDM-2 #17412 reverses to assist in an operation to clear the tracks after a BOXN rake had derailed. The AB rake in the background is the Bilaspur bound Chattisgarh Express. Gangajhari betn Gondia - Nagpur, 2005-07. Vivek Manvi.
The panto down sign at the diamond crossing on the approach to Nagpur. Nagpur, 2005-07. Vivek Manvi.
A ZDMx loco reverses to haul a passenger train out of Nagpur. Nagpur, 2005-07. Vivek Manvi.
2809 Mumbai Howrah Mail enters Nagpur, headed by SRC WAP-4 #22600 - the first loco in the 600 series. Nagpur, 2005-07. Vivek Manvi.
Ajni WAG-9 #31070 with a long BOXN rake waits in the siding at Akola Jn. A YDM-4 loco can be seen in the background. The metre guage line from Poorna to Jaipur meets CR's BSL-NGP line here. Akola Jn, 2005-07. Vivek Manvi.
The start! 2161 Laskhar express with WCAM-3 #21886 is all set to leave LTT. Note that unlike trains departing from CSTM, these don't carry the name board on the loco. 2005-07-22. Vivek Manvi (uploaded by Bharath Moro)
2161 moves slowly through rain drenched Atgaon due to a caution order. This is a beautiful stn to take photographs. In addition to the nice platform curve, a small hill just outside the station overlooks the line, giving fine views. Kalyan - Kasara sectio
Dawn at Itarsi. An enormous BOXN rake with WAG-7 #27630 from LDH waits for the starter to proceed as people go about their morning baths using the coach filling pipes. The train on the left is the Pench Valley passenger - the only diesel hauled train in t
Two 'breakers' from BSL lead by WAG-5 #23333 bring a container rake to a halt at Dharakhoh after escorting it down the ghat from Maramjhiri. Quadruple headed freights were common sight that day!. Dharakhoh, 2005-07-23. Bharath Moro.
Tunnel Vision! A 10 sec exposure of the view from a sleeper inside the tunnel. Dharakhoh - Maramjhiri, 2005-07-23. Vivek Manvi (uploaded by Bharath Moro)
Bharath and Shanx exit Tunnel 2 and are about to step on viaduct 2. The ditch on the right of the picture is about one foot deep and can be used as refuge. Dharakhoh - Maramjhiri, 2005-07-23. Vivek Manvi (uploaded by Bharath Moro)
On Viaduct 2! Vikas Singh waits at the other end as a gangman begins his inspections. Note the 1 in 70 gradient inside the tunnel!. Dharakhoh - Maramjhiri, 2005-07-23. Bharath Moro.
A beatiful stone viaduct on the old british built line. The remoteness of the area is staggering. To my left and right were dense jungles with not a road or path in sight. Dharakhoh - Maramjhiri, 2005-07-23. Bharath Moro.
Morning breaks through a heavy cloud cover as the GT Express approaches the Gadariya Bridge on its way to Chennai. Midghat - Budni section, 2005-01-23. Meenal Bhakuni.