Exploration of Chikballapur-Sidlaghatta-Chintamani line

IRFCAins Pawan Koppa, Shishir Jairam and Santosh Kulkarni had been on a trip to the Chikballapur-Sidlaghatta-Chintamani-Kolar line upto Chintamani to cover the gauge conversion of this historic line from NG to BG. This was a NG line which was decommissioned in the 80s. Only a few years back, the railways had sanctioned conversion of this line and progress had been going on at a snail's pace until the last couple of years, when MoS Muniyappa took personal interest in this line which touches his home constituency, Kolar. Priority is being given to this project and the conversion is progressing at a furious pace. We showcase this never-seen and never-covered-before section to IRFCA. Comments welcome!

Here is the Trip Report

Date: 2011-03-31
Owner: Gallery Administrator
Size: 61 items
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The current kings of Gidnahalli roar through the allignment and create mini dust storms as they go about their work! (Pawan Koppa)

Date: 2011-01-29
Owner: Pawan Koppa
Views: 823
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School over, what better fun than ride through a station on bicycles? In a few months, WDMs will rule the roost over the very same bed of earth. But for now, kids make the most of a nice level track to ride back home! (Pawan Koppa)

Date: 2011-01-29
Owner: Pawan Koppa
Views: 839
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A view of the new station building at Gidnahalli. The area around it is currently being used as shelter for workers working around this area. (Pawan Koppa)

Date: 2011-01-29
Owner: Pawan Koppa
Views: 800
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A look at the old NG fare list at Gidnahalli. Though the fares are erased out, the station names visible in Kannada are Chikballapur, Nandi, Devanahalli, Dodjala, Sidlaghatta, Hunsenahalli, Chintamani, Srinivasapura and Kolar in a bigger font. (Pawan Kop

Date: 2011-01-29
Owner: Pawan Koppa
Views: 803
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The Gidnahalli NG station buiding. (Pawan Koppa)

Date: 2011-01-29
Owner: Pawan Koppa
Views: 795
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A look at another fare list at the abandoned NG station building at Gidnahalli. (Pawan Koppa)

Date: 2011-01-29
Owner: Pawan Koppa
Views: 788
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Instructions for the Station Masters in the NG days at Gidnahalli. (Pawan Koppa)

Date: 2011-01-29
Owner: Pawan Koppa
Views: 804
Old NG building of Gidnahalli23

The roof of the old NG building at Gidnahalli is in shambles. (Shishir Jairam)

Date: 2011-01-29
Owner: Pawan Koppa
Views: 519
Until the railway line is laid School children and the lorry rule here23

Until the railway lines are laid, the mighty Leyland lorries will fight it out with schoolkids on bicycles for space on this railway "road". (Shishir Jairam)

Date: 2011-01-29
Owner: Pawan Koppa
Views: 505
A view of the Sidlaghatta Station23

A view of the area around the proposed Sidlaghatta station. While the elevated area will be the platform, the huge leveled area is for the mainline and loops. (Shishir Jairam)

Date: 2011-01-29
Owner: Pawan Koppa
Views: 510
Old NG station building at Sidlaghatta23

The old NG station building at Sidlaghatta at a lower level than the BG alignment. As with all the old abandoned buildings, this one too is in a state of shambles. (Shishir Jairam)

Date: 2011-01-29
Owner: Pawan Koppa
Views: 567
Another view of the Siddlaghatta station23

Another view of the abandoned Sidlaghatta NG station. (Shishir Jairam)

Date: 2011-01-29
Owner: Pawan Koppa
Views: 819
Comments: 1
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The new Sidlaghatta Station has a lot to be completed before trains start plying some day. (Santosh Kulkarni)

Date: 2011-01-29
Owner: Pawan Koppa
Views: 514
The then Train timings23

The NG timetable. It reads as below:

1) RC-3 Chintamani - Yelhanka Arr: 06:08 Dep: 06:09
2) RC-2 Yelhanka - Bangarpet Arr: 11:12 Dep: 11:13
3) RC-1 Bangarpet - Yelhanka Arr: 13:17 Dep: 13:18
4) RC-4 Yelhanka - Chintamani ...

Date: 2011-01-29
Owner: Pawan Koppa
Views: 507
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This is what will soon be the ticket window at Sidlaghatta! (Pawan Koppa)

Date: 2011-01-29
Owner: Pawan Koppa
Views: 778
Comments
(view all 12 comments)
Nice coverage of an interesting spot!
Posted by Trayambak Ojha on 2011 Apr 20 13:20:29 +0100
A fascinating example of old and new gauges side by side. This is rarely seen on IR as the old station buildings soon vanish. A few abandoned stations in ruins can be seen between Villipuram and Puducherry.
Posted by Ajai Banerji on 2011 Apr 18 08:07:35 +0100
The three musketeers from BLR have done a wonderful rail fanning trip to a territory which must have seen the lovely small NG locos and trains in the past and which will see the BG beasts and trains soon. Thanks for sharing the photos and the trip report.
Posted by S. Srinivas on 2011 Apr 13 11:15:44 +0100
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