Trip to Daundaj
Daundaj is a tiny station on the Pune – Miraj line, located 65 kms from Pune. The place has all the charms of a rustic station set in the flowing grassy slopes, it also offers an interesting curvy set of tracks towards Miraj. The curves are a complicated variant of the 'Omega' shape. Conveniently, the middle of the 'Omega' is a small hillock from where one can make observations... Ashish, John and me, Apurva visited Daundaj on the 10th June 2006.
This is the 1609A passenger that is taking us to Daundaj. This train is hauled today by the Pune WDG 3A # 13059 that had the sleeping Pune WDM 2 # 18495 in tow. The train is stopped at Shindawane for a crossing with a freight train.
Another view of the 13059 with the 1609A passenger at Shidawane. The line is undergoing many changes, all in the name of an increase in efficiency. Replacement of the upper quadrant semaphore signals with colour light signals, chucking the Niele’s ball
Shindawane is a very beautiful station, as you can see.
The train that we were waiting for – a Pune bound BCN rake hauled by Pune WDG 3A pair # 14810 and 14816. Shindawane.
Another view of the BCN rake as it thunders by over the curve towards Shindawane in preparation for the token exchange – yes, the panel interlock is not complete, the colour lights are in place and operational in some places, but the interlock is with t
A bittersweet goodbye to Upper Quadrant Semaphores – today, a modern colour lamp is in the same place instead. This is the base of the Shindawane ghat.
The 1609A down delivers the IRFCA Pune chapter representation at Daudaj.
WDG 3A # 13059 opens up fast leaving Daundaj with the 1609A Down passenger, attempting to make up time after being almost an hour late.
Much of the railway line at Daundaj station is in the rock cuttings, as can be seen here.
The big loop lies about a km out of Daundaj towards Valha. Here is a panoramic view of the site – the convenient hillock is located in the middle, in front of the house with the red roof.
While John decides to laze around in this spot, Ashish went for the hillock by the valley floor. I walk to the hillock by the railway line.
Our luck was not very strong today, we saw only one train at the great Daundaj loop – but what a train this was ! Two capable WDG 3As from Gooty overwhelming the valley with loud thunder. The great locos were # 14971 and 14788 – both variants of the G
The Gooty twins climb into the Daundaj loop with a loaded BCN rake.
The locos arrive at the point nearest to the observation point, the embankment holding the line is garlanded with Cactus and Agave.
The train is still turning into the loop towards Daundaj but getting further away from us. The hills are typical of this area, showing similar geological construction and erosion patterns.
The MG permanent way runs through the Daundaj station. This is the old MG station building.
The old MG station building is someone’s house now – but still has the old ticket window. Daundaj station.
A view of the ‘waiting hall’ at Daundaj. Note the Avery weight scale, it was manufactured in 1891 !
A view of the weighting platform of the Avery machine at the Daundaj station.
A view of the arm of the Avery scale showing the mark of the MSM (Madras and Southern Marattha) railways on the slide and the brass weight. Daundaj station.
A view of the road approach to Daundaj station.
The 1610 Up passenger arrives at Daundaj to take us back to Pune. The power for this train is Gooty WDG 3A pair # 13250 and 13214. Both locos were Mued, very live and put up a great, loud performance on the homeward journey. The 13250 has a ducted radiato
The 1610 Up crew drop the token hoop from the earlier section and accept the new token for the section ahead.
Guntakal meets Gooty at Phursungi ! The GTL WDM 2 # 16390 hauls in the 1029 Down Mumbai – Kolhapur Koyna Express via the loop line while the Gooty twins wait with the 1610 Up passenger on the Phursungi platform line.
Apurva and Ashish set out on their long march to the hillock in the distance, behind the agave flower stalk.
Entire rake on the Daundaj curve! GY Garuda WDG-3A 14971 and its buddy made the valley echo with classic Alco music. Photo by John Mani
For once, BG scores over MG. While the BG creates wonderful geometry, the old MG line simply cut right across. While we lay in wait, the farmers busy ploughing were our chief source of inspiration. Photo by John Mani