DG4s and Semaphores!

The day begins with the blessings from the halo of the diesel god UBL WDG-4 as it rolls in with a freight from the Arssikere-Kadur side into Birur Junction. Birur. 2010-01-02. (Pawan Koppa)

As the sun basks Birur Jn with its morning rays, UBL WDG-4 twins led by #12133 roll in with a BOXN rake from the Davangere-Chikjajur-Hubli side into Birur Jn. 2010-01-02. (Pawan Koppa)

The ALP gets ready to throw in the token. Birur. 2010-01-02. (Pawan Koppa)

The Khalasi climbs up the platform after collecting the token as the starter at Danger brings the rake to a halt. Birur. 2010-01-02. (Pawan Koppa)

We took the Janshatabdi from Birur to Chikjajur. Enroute is a typical wayside IR station with eucalyptus trees - Nagavangala. The JS bound to Hubli crawls through even though the starter is at proceed. Reason - track works going on ahead near the starters

At Shivani, where usually the JS is made to wait while the Siddaganga intercity bound to Bangalore blasts through at MPS, the tables have turned today. The Siddaganga with UBL WDP-4 twins led by #20035 waits in the loop while we blast through towards Chik

The Janshatabdi bound to Hubli was led by KJM twins - #13054 and #14056. The starter turns to "Proceed" and the ALP looks at the aspect before chugging off! Chikjajur. 2010-01-02. (Pawan Koppa)

The Chalukya Express bound to Dadar rumbles through PF-1 at Chikjajur Jn. The loco leading was KYN WDG-3A #13578. 2010-01-02. (Kunal Doddanavar)

A empty BTPN rake led by UBL WDG-4 rounds about and comes into PF-2 at Chikjajur Jn. 2010-01-02. (Pawan Koppa)

The UBL WDG-4 with the BTPN wagons poses in front of the huge tree in the background at Chikjajur. 2010-01-02. (Kunal Doddanavar)

A view of the multicoloured wagons which were a part of the BTPN rake. Chikjajur. 2010-01-02. (Kunal Doddanavar)

KJM's inaugural specialist WDM-3A #14024 chugs into Chikjajur with the short rake of the 592SW Chitradurga-Chikjajur Passenger. Chikjajur. 2010-01-02. (Pawan Koppa)

Layout of tracks at Chikjajur Jn. The line heading out straight with some roller coaster gradients is the mainline towards Davangere-Hubli. The line branching out towards the right heads to Chitradurga which sees heavy frieght action with rakes transporti

One more look at Chikjajur Jn. A half filled BCNA rake waits on the left of the picture while the BTPN rake is on the right. The huge trees add colour to the station. Chikjajur. 2010-01-02. (Pawan Koppa)

KJM baldie #14007 idles away on the loop. Chikjajur. 2010-01-02. (Kunal Doddanavar)

A new location for a flasher in KJM locos - directly below the headlamps! 2010-01-02. (Kunal Doddanavar)

People carry on with their life on the platform while a little distance away, a passenger from Hubli smokes and notches up as it enters Chikjajur. Chikjajur. 2010-01-02. (Pawan Koppa)

I take you on! Come on whatya waiting for" is what these gentlemen on the bike seem to be telling the charging beast! Chikjajur. 2010-01-02. (Pawan Koppa)

A closer look at the Semaphores against the clear blue skies at Ramagiri, a station between Birur and Chikjajur. Ramagiri.2008-01-02. (Kunal Doddanavar)

The controls of the semaphores at Hosadurga Road. These look very different from the traditional Interlocking controls.Hosadurga Road. 2010-01-02. (Kunal Doddanavar)

Semaphores - the highlight of our trip. This set guards all exit from Hosadurga Road towards Chikjajur and Hubli. Hosadurga Road. 2010-01-02. (Kunal Doddanavar)

Sempahores signal proceed to a light WDG-4 proceeding towards Chikjajur(not seen in the picture) as the platform bustles with people at Hosadurga road, a wayside station between Birur and Chikjajur. Hosadurga Raoad. 2010-01-02. (Pawan Koppa)

The WDG-4 moves ahead and is indicated by the falling semaphore while the bustle still continues. Hosadurga Raoad. 2010-01-02. (Pawan Koppa)

Salute! The semaphore lift its blocking hand upwards towards the heavens giving clearance to the passenger set to depart towards Chikjajur. Hosadurga Road. 2010-01-02. (Kunal Doddanavar)

The sempahore is almost blurred by the smoke from the alco as the 581SW Bangalore-Dharwar passenger departs Hosadurga Road. (Pawan Koppa)

Any idea where I am currently headed to? (Pawan Koppa)

"Isko laga daala to kiska life jingalala :-)?" - The track machine staff get their own entertainment thanks to the Tata Sky receiver setup nearby. Hosadurga Road. (Pawan Koppa)