Operation Desert Storm
As the sun fades into the hazy evening, the roaring storm kicked-up sand and dust resulting in shifting sand phenomenon. While we struggled to stand our grounds, there was sudden excitment among the trees and bushes; waving, swirling, tossing their branches, as if they were worshiping. Then, appeared from the dusty haze, is the diesel hauled train, gloriously notching up, against the storm...
Our humble tribute to the hardworking men and machines, serving through one of the toughest terrains in the country.
ABR WDM-3A #14014 with Jaisalmer - Lalgarh Express waits at Lalgarh, to proceed further to Bikaner. Although Lalgarh is the destination, it further traverses up to Bikaner.
The old MG Platform and MG rolling stocks at Lalgarh Junction. (Harish Kumar)
The MG-BG diamond cross at Lalgarh Junction. The MG line terminates a few meters to the left, while the BG line goes into the workshop. (Raghu Jayaraman)
MG coaches on the flatbed outside the Bikaner Workshop. (Raghu Jayaraman)
ABR WDM-2A #16789 with Barmer - Kalka/Haridwar Express. Also note the diamond cross and the now terminated MG/BG dual gauge line between Lalgarh Jn and Bikaner Jn. The semaphore gantry to the left are for the BG lines and the one on right were for MG line
The army of semaphore signals salutes the arriving train. (Harish Kumar)
The next morning, aggressive looking WDM-2A #18616 from Abu Road kicking up loads of dust. LP and ALP looks to be in full attention. (Raghu Jayaraman)
...and the train turns out to be the on-schedule, Howrah - Jodhpur/Bikaner Link Superfast hauled by ABR WDM-3A #18616. (Harish Kumar)
Wide angle view of the Howrah - Bikaner Express. Video by Hari Kishore is here (BenHur)
Howrah - Jodhpur/Bikaner Link Express with Abu Road WDM-2A #18616 negotiates the sharp curve near Palana. Note the rear end of the train and the dust created. (Naveen)
The high speed train disappears into self created haze. (Raghu Jayaraman)
On-duty! (Naveen)
Life goes on... track! (BenHur)
A cute visitor (BenHur)
King of the section, Bandra Terminus bound Ranakpur Express came flying around the corner with BGKT WDP-4 #20090 (Raghu Jayaraman)
Monster and storm (BenHur)
Ranakpur Express, one of the prestigious trains of the region, aggressively charges down the gradient towards Deshnoke. (Harish Kumar)
Setting the rails ablaze! (Naveen)
Now, where did the train go? (Naveen)
Far from its home, Siliguri WDG-4 #12178 moves into the loop at Deshnoke to allow the Barmer bound express to cross. (Raghu Jayaraman)
ABR WDM-2A #17918 with Suratgarh - Jaipur Passenger accelerates out of Palana. (Raghu Jayaraman)
Desert King - Sections around Merta Road, and Bikaner are dominated by these alcos from Abu Road. Here we see an Alco from ABR hauls the passenger to Jaipur. (BenHur)
Reflecting the colorful tradition, the rajastani women in bright colors takes break in the shade, while another bright color diesel beauty from Abu Road, swiftly flies past us with Jaipur bound passenger. (Harish Kumar)
Another view of the Jaipur bound passenger.
Here we see another diesel beast, struggling to move the rails through the sandy gradient. (Harish Kumar)
Two freight carriers of different origin. (Harish Kumar)
Siliguri based WDG-4 #12178 takes a north bound BOXN rake (Naveen)
Recent comments
What a wonderful, fantastic album. This area is among the most beautiful places I have visited on IR and is strongly recommended for all travel and rail enthusiasts. Hats off for the excellent coverage.
Posted by Manish on 2012 Jul 16 17:25:15 +0000
Wonderful work! Made my day!! :)
Posted by Abhinav Bhattacharjee on 2012 May 02 15:46:14 +0000
Best of Rajasthan!!!
Posted by Chitrarth Parghi on 2012 May 01 05:05:48 +0000