Cochin Harbour Terminus

The work on the platform is not over but even before it's completion, provision to fix plates announcing the inauguration of the yard is in place!

The water logged circular tank like structure is infact an old turn table!!! In the heydays, so many steam hauled trains worked from here

The lines that proceed to the old turn table has been relaid with concrete sleepers. Why? Any chance of a rebirth?

Deep inside the tropical jungle is this relic from the past. A water column...

This is the room from which the guy in charge of turning the loco on the turn table controlled the activities.

Mattancheri Halt (MTNC) is the only active railway establishment in the Ernakulam Jn - Cochin Harbour Terminus line

The beautiful signalling cabin. It looks worn out but the instruments inside are in pristine condition.

The "Pull Chart" in the signalling cabin.

The signalling arrangement of the cabin

These newly laid tracks were never used. As soon as these tracks were laid, this line, meant for passenger services to Cochin Terminus was abandoned. The gate on the right announces beginning of Cochin Port Trust area

Inspection details on the signalling machine. It was installed as late as 1978.

Antique lamp post from the days of yore no longer light up the platforms. Why should they?? There are no trains and so no one to board

Another view of the nice station. There are so many trees nearby and it is so cool inside the station! The chair is simple but very comfy!

The code "CHA" is stenciled everywhere. Can someone decipher the anagram? Was this station called something else during the past?

The corridors of the station. The "Oil and Store" was once used to store lemon grass oil which was exported from Cochin

The booking office and passenger side of the station

The combined fruit and tea stall. It was functional until a few months back. The person Komalavally still hold the license. It was used a lot by the local workers since no other refreshment stall is available close by

The train timing board. Note the blanked out trains - Trichy - Cochin and Cochin - Trichy Exp

Booking counter and fare list. And two seperate counters for upper and 2nd class

The inspection book at the station. Earliest signature is on 19-8-1942. Thanks to the Station Masters for preserving these

Token machines at the station. One is for permission to Cochin Harbour Terminus, one for permission to Ernakulam Jn and the third for permission to goods yard. Thanks to the staff, these relics are polished and maintained at it's best

This is the goods side of the station. It had a loop line in the past

The goods side of Mattanchery Halt - Another view

Believe it or not! This line is the only used railway line at the station. It does not even have concrete sleepers. But it is used to carry goods to the yard. Most of the coal trains are very heavy and have 58 BOXN, with multiple lead and banker locos

This was once an FCI godown. Now it is a customs bonded area to store imported timber, scrap metals and other odd stuff. Remains of the railway days can be seen even now

The iconic banyan tree. Icon of all rural stations in India. This station is situated in the heart of the largest city in Kerala!!

The MG goods yard. There are still MG tracks hidden under the bushes. Will clean up during dry season and I will exhibit the photos to the world through IRFCA