Operation Desert Storm

Bhatinda - Lalgarh Passenger in which we had confirmed SL tickets pulled into Hanumangarh Junction with heavy crowd. We boarded this HCPV attached to the rear of rake, and end up having fun unlimited! Though the crowd eased out at Suratgarh, we chose to c

Pretty sand dunes appear after we crossed Suratgarh. (Harish Kumar)

This Rajasthani couple seems to be sharing some lighter moment, as they get ready to disembark at their destination. (Harish Kumar)

ABR WDM-2A #16840, in-charge of Bhatinda - Lalgarh Passenger waits at Dhirera for a crossing. (Harish Kumar)

ABR WDM-3A #14029 pulls into Dhirera with Barmer - Kalka/Haridwar Express in tow. (Harish Kumar)

With an artistic background and a dramatic foreground, ABR WDM-2A #16562 with Surathgarh bound Passenger takes the platform-less loop at Lunkaransar. (BenHur)

An elderly gentleman conveniently seated to the great views on offer. The large doors provided wide and hassle free view of the ever changing landscape (Harish Kumar)

The trailing view of our train, as we rush towards Lalgarh Junction (BenHur)

The brightly lit Bikaner Station (BenHur)

True to the name - "Golden City of India" because the yellow sand and the yellow sandstone based architecture, the main station building of Jaisalmer also reflects the city's color and tradition. (Harish Kumar)

Wow! What do we have here? (BenHur)

A group of passengers waiting for the forenoon Express to Lalgarh (BenHur)

Another form of the city's golden yellow. This time, its the Palace on wheels. (Harish Kumar)

Freight action at JSM - Limestones being (un)loaded (BenHur)

Palace on Wheels, powered by TKD WDM-3A #16002, waits at Jaisalmer, while its passengers are out to tour the city. Also seen in the background, is the majestic Golden Fort on top of Trikuta Hills. (Harish Kumar)

No shelter from the heat on Platform 2 & 3 at Jaisalmer. On this hot, dry day, WDM-3A #14014 gets ready to take the Lalgarh bound express. (Naveen)

ALP does the final check, before taking charge of his machine (BenHur)

The railway line terminates before the red wall in the background. (Naveen)

A well-clad personal attendant from the royal train! (Naveen)

Sabarmati Diesels' impressive new logo. Majestic Gir Lion taking the center-stage! (Naveen)

Panoramic view from the Phalodi end of Jaisalmer Station. Seen in picture are Palace on wheel, Jaisalmer - Lalgarh Express, Light WDG-4 #12344 and the Golden Fort of Jaisalmer. (Naveen)

BGKT WDM-2 #16659 pulls into Jaisalmer with the express from Delhi. (Naveen)

The fort that has seen many battles, stands tall with its massive yellow sandstone walls! (Naveen)

Ashapura Gomath was reached ahead of the schedule and we had an extended halt. The line curving to the right goes to Pokaran, and the left line towards Phalodi.

Freight action at Sird, on the Phalodi-Lalgarh section. Even as the through line is vacant, the freight was moved to, what looks like the not-so-often used loop line. (Raghu Jayaraman)

Kolayat, we see the freight being moved to the not-so -leveled loop line. The twin power hauling the freight was Katni based WDG-3A #14390. The trailing loco was a Jumbo. These are the two actions we witnessed on our passage through the Phalodi-Lalgarh s

Siliguri WDP-4 #20015 and LKO WDM-3D #11238 (Cheetah) await call-on duty at Lalgarh Jn. Later in the evening, 20115 would take charge of the Guwahati bound Avadh Assam Express. (Naveen)