Monsoon Magic in Konkan and Braganza Ghat

A Gooty WDG-3A brings the NZM bound Goa super express into Castle rock. (Akshay Marathe)

Madgaon-Mumbai Mandovi Express negotiates the 124m long centre span of Zuari bridge. (Karan Desai)

[Goa Trip] Is this a bridge or a maze? The unusual-design FOB at Karmali. Though the intention behind having a ramp was good, the walk upto the top and down again on other side is so long that most passengers just prefer jumping the sole track across whic

After a wait of about 20 minutes, the Veraval - TVC express finally arrives at Karmali. The Mandovi express waits patiently on the loop. (Akshay Marathe)

[Konkan trip]All set to go: Mandovi express gets ready to start from Pernem after its scheduled halt of two minutes. The double yellow starter can be seen clearly due to the sharp curve. (Akshay Marathe)

The sleeping railfan: Apoorva Karlekar enjoys a nice nap at the emergency window in the Mandovi express and denies other railfans the benefits of emergency window! (Akshay Marathe)

The Quality Policy certificate inside Mandovi Express. (Karan Desai)

The 2051 Janshatabdi waits in the loop for our train (Mandovi express) to cross it at Vilvade station. The loco is 11179, the same loco which had hauled 2052 on 1st July. (Akshay Marathe)

Konkan Trip: A sample of the food in Mandovi Express. The blue plastic plate in which lunch is served has Curd, Pickle, Salad, Rotis (in foil), Rice, a subzi (vegetable) and Dal. The papad with the lunch is served separately, seen in the plastic bag at to

It seems that the Karbude tunnel has a gradient in it. Compare the position of the headlight in this pic with the position of headlight in the following pic: http://www.irfca.org/gallery/openline/konkan_braganza/IMG_1150.jpg.html (Akshay Marathe)

Light in the tunnel at last. The KR-5 passenger nears the end of the Karbude tunnel, headlights blazing, as the Mandovi express patiently waits on the loop at Bhoke. (Akshay Marathe)

Dont miss this while traveling on KR: This amazing waterfall lies right besides the tracks looking left while traveling south between Ukshi station and Karbude tunnel. (Karan Desai)

Mandovi meets Mandovi inside KR's only double line tunnel- the Ukshi yard tunnel. This is probably the only station whose premises extend into a tunnel. (Karan Desai) ()

Mandovi meets Mandovi inside KR's only double line tunnel- the Ukshi yard tunnel. This is probably the only station whose premises extend into a tunnel. (Karan Desai)

Raindrops for Company: Waiting patiently amidst heavy rains as Netravathi Express rushes past us with ED WDM-3D #11103painted in traditional ED livery. (Karan Desai)

0104 Mandovi express takes a nice sunbath somewhere after Roha. (Apoorva Karlekar)

Konkan Trip: Another sample of the delicious food served in Mandovi Express- Veg. Manchurian in gravy at the left and Veg. Noodles at the right. A sachet of tomato ketchup was provided with the noodles but we never used it. Plastic spoons and forks were a

Twin Gooty WDG-3A bankers bask in a brief spell of sunlight amidst dark clouds while waiting for their next assignment at Kulem. (Karan Desai)

Though every station has such customary yellow boards, the location of this one with the huge rain trees besides it makes a pretty picture! (Karan Desai)

Looking ahead from Kulem, the hills of Braganza Ghats look inviting! (Karan Desai)

After five hours of wait, finally the first freight of the day arrives from Vasco side with UBL WDG-4 twins led by 12096. (Karan Desai)

And the wait is finally over! First 'darshan' of a penta-headed freight as the first descending rake of the day reaches Kulem at 1pm. The five WDG-4s slowly make their way as their lesser cousins- WDG-3A twins look on quietly! The first three

Finally... the Dudhsagar Falls in full glory as seen from the Braganza Ghats just after Sonaulim station! (Karan Desai)

One, Two, Three, Four, Five! Penta-WDG-4 haul a BOXN freight down the Braganza Ghats. Seen here is the Caranzol crossing station. (Karan Desai)

At the final frontier of the trip, IRFCA Mumbai members Akshay Marathe, Apoorva Karlekar and yours truly pose with a BOXN wagon for company! (Karan Desai)

Seeing double? These type of signals with both RED and GREEN On were seen at numerous places on Braganza Ghats. Can someone please explain its significance? (Karan Desai)