Dhuri

At first light, a WDG4 switches on its headlamp under the vigil of a massive bank of semaphores. This is a station like no other.

The sun rises over Dhuri Jn. A sleepy town in the Punjabi heartland, that holds a special place among rail enthusiasts. Dhuri is the last great analogue junction. Where levers, semaphores, kerosene lamps and smoke still rule.

The eastern end of Dhuri on a hazy winter morning. Lines from Patiala and Jakhal merge here.

Dhuri Jn is also a freight crew interchange point. The two WDG4s running short hood leading have been taken over by new crew who are performing the mandatory headlamps and flasher light test before proceeding.

Amritsar bound express from Mumbai CST pulls into Dhuri Junction. The station is an important changeover point for important towns in southern Punjab and northern Haryana.

Looking east from the foot over bridge. The semaphore mast nearer to camera controls access to the platform on the left. This platform is divided in two parts, with a scissor switch on the main line, allowing two short trains to berth on the same length.

Curious kids play by the trackside. They are perhaps the last generation to see the these grand semaphores on a mainline.

The famed Amritsar - CSTM Express, fondly known as Pathankot Express makes an entry from the Ludhiana end. (Trayambak Ojha)

While a busy station, Dhuri still has the old world charm of shady trees on the platform to enjoy a leisurely chai. An experience to be savoured.

The eastern exit of Dhuri. A WDP3A 'Pushpak' heads out to Haridwar with the express from Sriganganagar in tow.

The western end of Dhuri Jn. The WDG4D approaches from the Bathinda side, while the lines on the right curve away to Ludhiana.

This image should give you an idea of how impressive Dhuri Jn. really is. This image was taken from the western end of the yard.

TKD WDP-3A hauled NED-SGNR SF Express arrives Dhuri Jn from Jakhal side. (Raj Upadhyay)

The Shatabdi to Ludhiana is perhaps the star train at the station. Here it makes a smoky start behind an ALCO from Ludhiana. The shed tends to vacillate between ALCO and EMD links for this train. (Trayambak Ojha)

The last ICF coached Shatabdi disappears under the famous western gantry. Both the rake and the signals are perhaps on their last legs. (Trayambak Ojha)

The signature shot at Dhuri Jn - the impressive 10 arm gantry that greets trains entering Dhuri. The 5 arms on the left are for trains from Ludhiana, while the other half signals trains from Bathinda.

Surprise! The LDH WDP-4D 40471 hauled 12038 LDH-NDLS Shatabdi brings in a dead electric loco! GZB WAP-7 30230. The presence of an OHE inspection car on the right is another sign that the diesel paradise is in danger.

With electric poles reaching Dhuri outer from both Ludhiana and Jakhal side, the days of the semaphore and diesel locos are about to be over.

KD WDP-4D 40516 hauled SVDK-MAS Andaman Express arrives Dhuri Jn from Ludhiana side. While SBI WDG-4 12560 waits patiently for it's next duty. (Raj Upadhyay)

The veteran of Dhuri Jn - manning the western cabin. In a year or so, he too will be redundant - buttons and electronics taking over his job. For now, he is king of what he surveys.

Despite what the board says, the scale at Dhuri Jn is definitely being put to use

A snazzy looking WDP1M heads west. These locos have got a new lease of life via a mid-term rebuild, giving them more power and reliability.

With the diesel shed at Ludhiana not far away, light locos are often brought here to power regional services.

The Ludhiana - Hisar Passenger switches line on its way out of the yard.

The Ludhiana – Jakhal passenger arrives at Bahadur Singh Wala, the first station after Dhuri. Token section begins here, as Dhuri station itself works on tokenless operation.

Crossing with the Sadulpur – Ludhiana passenger. Trains heading in to Dhuri drop their token here, but do not pick up another to proceed. The token dropped by the Dhuri bound passenger will unlock the signal for the Jakhal bound passenger to proceed.

The Ludhiana bound Shatabdi drops the token at Bahadur Singh Wala. Stations in North India often have these wire mesh structures designed to capture the token.