Two feet are a world apart

On a cold January morning, passengers wait at Jora - Alapur for the morning service to Sabalgarh and Sheopur Kalan

Like an otherworldly apparition, the train appears through the mists

Bhoru Lal Shakya has worked on this line for 37 years. He now manages the gates at the Rail Road Bridge near Sikroda.

Waving the train through

The second Rail Road Bridge on this line lies near Kailaras. Due to the old age of the bridge, heavy vehicles now take a detour via a culvert build alongside.

As is usual in this country - those on two wheels pay scant respect to the right of way for a train.

The train rumbles across the Kuari river, as road vehicles wait impatiently

Winter has enveloped the beautiful countryside and forced most of the roof riders indoors

At Semai, anxious locals await the arrival of the fog delayed train

The morning service is patronized by everyone - students, office goers, housewives...

As the sun climbs, the fog vanishes to reveal a crystal blue sky

By the time the train reaches Sabalgarh, the crowds have swelled and hit the roof as the sun is out

Sabalgarh is also the location for the crossing with its equally packed opposite number

A stencilled sign warning of a fine for rooftop travel is duly ignored. Officials say they sell 4 times the number of tickets against each train's official carrying capacity.

Evening falls and the deserted station slowly starts coming to life for the last of the day's arrivals.

The first to arrive is the service from Sheopur - and its commuters quickly melt away in the darkness

Bang on time, the day's last service, the fast passenger from Gwalior turns up, ending the wait for some.

At the crack of dawn, the ticket window at Sabalgarh opens for the morning departures and commuters throng it thick and fast

Blankets, shawls, caps and mufflers are de rigueur travel gear for the weather

The CLW built NDM5 is ready for duty

Sabalgarh may lack tourist attractions, but the samosas at Agarwal Nashta Corner are reason enough to keep going back

Don't tell me you don't hear strains of a mandolin when you see this image

Back at Semai, the wait is about to end

Every inch inside is taken

As is every inch outside

Fans become luggage racks

And fathers manage 10hr rides like this