Shindawane Trip - June 2005 - Apurva Bahadur
A sequence of pics showing Guntakalâs WDM 2s # 17218 and 17278 hauling a BTPN rake through the rock cuttings. Between Shindavane and Ambale, 2005-06-11. Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).
Surprise ! We meet the firecracker of a WDG 3A # 13150 once again, in the space of about 3 hours. The loco is now banking the BTPN rake through the ghat. Note the LV plate on the loco's buffer beam. Between Shindavane and Ambale, 2005-06-11. Apurva (iti@
The signal being crossed is the Ambale distant. Between Shindavane and Ambale, 2005-06-11. Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).
The electrically operated outer home signal while approaching Ambale. Between Shindavane and Ambale, 2005-06-11. Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).
The inner home semaphores being serviced and inspected. Ambale, 2005-06-11. Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).
The rudimentary signal box at the Pune end of Ambale station. Note the inner home signals and the starter signals. The ladders lead to the advanced starter for the Pune bound traffic located on the embankment on the right. Ambale, 2005-06-11. Apurva (iti@
KJM's coupled WDG 3A pair 14660 and 14613 haul a BCN rake up the ghats. The locos burp in unison as the dynamic brakes kick in. Ambale, 2005-06-11. Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).
One can observe the same locos in the ghat section with different freight rakes. This seems to suggest that the freight movement is in batches. Ambale, 2005-06-11. Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).
In the distance, the green liveried Pune WDM 3A 18605R waits with the 1610 passenger at the Ambale home signal. The KJM twins stop the BCN, obeying the blocking starter semaphore. Ambale, 2005-06-11. Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).
The station master's office at Ambale. Note the token hoop in the door and the cuff (in the window) that is used to carry the ball token. The stairs are used as an elevated lookout point to confirm the signal aspect when the normal vision is blocked - i.
A view of the Ambale station. Like many other stations of the country, this one too serves as a source of clean potable water to the local population. Note the stairs near the building that lead nowhere !. Ambale, 2005-06-11. Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).
Gangmen coasting to the station at the end of their shift using the material trolley. Note the termination of speed limits boards (TP and TG) which are placed distant from each other due to the different length of passenger and goods rakes. Ambale, 2005-
A BCN rake headed by Pune WDG 3A # 14904 and another WDG 3A waits on the main line for the 1610 passenger to divert into the platform loop. Shindavane, 2005-06-11. Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).
The BCN's tail has the recently introduced long caboose, the BVZI. Shindavane, 2005-06-11. Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).
The abandoned MG permanent way seen at Shindavane - the location is approximately midway in the side of the mountain, one can see a bridge almost in the center of the pic. Shindavane, 2005-06-11. Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).