IRFCA Convention 2010

A Queue of WDP1 with WPD3a at the end , taken at TKD loco Shed . (Ashwin Rao)

A WDP1 being lifted off its bogie frame in th heavy repair bay. The unique Bo-Bo bogies of the loco can clearly be seen. ()

A monster resting at its home shed , TKD WDP3a #15514 Pushpak. (Ashwin Rao)

Freshly painted TKD WDM3a #16491 resting at TKD loco shed. (Ashwin Rao)

BGKT WDP-4 20092 wandering in the TKD DLS.Taken in the field trip visit during IRFCA Convention 2010 to TKD DLS. (Vishal Khare)

The candidates patiently and carefully listening to the IRCTC presentation.IRFCA Convention NRM Delhi 2010 (Vishal Khare)

Back at the NRM the evening sessions are on along with a hot coffee, kebabs and tikkas ()

A presentation by IRCTC - one of the Convention sponsors on Rail Tourism initiatives ()

Day 2 begins with a unique quiz - the video quiz designed by Vijay Mani and conducted by Sridhar Joshi ()

How interesting was the quiz? Well it can be judged by the expressions of the participants... ()

Moods of delegates during the video quiz ()

After the video quiz was over, the participants proceeded to the NRM grounds for round #2, the clue hunt. While they were at it, a few of the NRM's PW staff carry out repairs to the joy train tracks. ()

NRM 2010: The Behemoth from BZA. (Naveen)

After the quiz, it was time to announce the winners including those of the inaugural IRFCA Awards. The winner of the IRFCA Trip Album of the year 2009 - Lalam Mandavkar & Apurva Bahadur for their Konan Viaducts album ()

Mohan Bhuyan won the Best Trip Report of the Year 2009 award for 'Upper Class to Sheopur Kalan' ()

IRFCA Photo of the Year 2009 award went to Naveen M for his image of the Boat Mail at Pamban Bridge. ()

Two of IRFCA's founding members Dheeraj Sanghi and Ajai Banerji were felicitated for their efforts to set up the list. ()

A special award went to Apurva Bahadur for his invaluable contribution to the community. Award was presented by Ashish Kuvelkar. ()

Ajai BAnerji took home the 2nd runner up prize for the IRFCA Quiz ()

Biswarup Basu was the 1st runner up ()

And the winner of the IRFCA Quiz 2010 - Sagar Tipnis from Thane ()

It has a realistic short hood but does not go anywhere... The WDM2 simulator at TKD shed. (Apurva)

The simulator's 'long hood' is really short and lacks even a headlamp. (Apurva)

Below the simulator body is the Stewart platform aka 'Hexapod' that drives the three axis motion essential for a realistic driving experience. (Apurva)

The three pairs of hydraulic cylinders that realistically move the simulator cab as it accelerates, slows, slews over points and jolts over every track joint. (Apurva)

Another view of the hydraulic mechanism that provides the motion to the simulator cab. The large black item is the loudspeaker that makes whining sounds proportional to the throttle opening - no WDM2 class chuffing though. (Apurva)

The short hood serves as the boarding point between the 'moving' part and the terra firma. Samit illustrates the height of the simulator frame. (Apurva)