Dara Pass Explored

Mustard fields in crisp sunshine at atiny station -Narainpur Tatwara - between Mathura and Kota (Shikhar Parjan)

Mossy Green and blue hues of the Chambal river on approach to Kota (Shikhar Parjan)

Idling in Kota, this WAG7 28057 from Jhansi awaits its signal to go North (Shikhar Parjan)

Tiny Dara station - looking towards the Pass, 12 km away (Shikhar Parjan)

Dara Viaduct - from the base of the pass, with the older British-built span in the foreground (Shikhar Parjan)

Looking at the ancient 'chatri' from the base of the Pass - through the catenary, and across the bands of rock formation (Shikhar Parjan)

The Old span (left) and the new one run together for a distance, and then deviate. Differences in stone type and bridge style are visible (Shikhar Parjan)

Ancient fortification ramparts run almost hidden next to the Down track (Shikhar Parjan)

MACL signal at double amber, at the base of the Pass, down line (Shikhar Parjan)

Local woodcutter couple posing with the pass in backgorund (Shikhar Parjan)

Speed indicator boards for different trains at the base (Shikhar Parjan)

View from the refuge area looking at the pass, with the narrow stairway leading down to the highway below (Shikhar Parjan)

Western chatri - across the highway, with the fortification leading up (Shikhar Parjan)

BRC shed's WAP46E #22383 brings in an express towards Kota (Shikhar Parjan)

View from the refuge shelter as the express goes over the viaduct (Shikhar Parjan)

Jhansi shed's WAG7 27064 brings a container rake towards the Pass (Shikhar Parjan)

Comparison of older refuge areas (foreground) and the newer ones in the right background (Shikhar Parjan)

Dara viaduct board with the gangman's shelter on Up line (Shikhar Parjan)

view of both bridges from the refuge area (Shikhar Parjan)

VIew of both chatris, from the gangman hut (Shikhar Parjan)

View framed by the gangman's hut (Shikhar Parjan)

North facing view - the trakc makes a right facing fish hook at the treeline (Shikhar Parjan)

Approach of Down line towards the Pass (Shikhar Parjan)

Approaching WAG7 # 27275 from Ludhiana with a freighter (Shikhar Parjan)

Freighter WAG7 #27275 in the cutting (Shikhar Parjan)

Freighter passing by gangman's hut (Shikhar Parjan)

Distant shot of the freighter on the 90-degree turn (Shikhar Parjan)