Showcase Archives I

An air-conditioned Military 3-tier sleeper car at Poona Jn. Note the unusual green livery of the car. Note also the 'dome' created by the roof mounted A.C. compressors as opposed to the underfloor plants in older cars. The A.C. ducts too are roof-mounted.

A main line electrical multiple unit: MEMU. These units provide fast intercity feeder services. There is even an MEMU Arakonam - Jolarpettai Express on the SR. #AUTH1#Zubin Dotivala#AUTH2#, 2001.

One of my all-time favourites is this pic of two Kalyan WDM-2s with a heavy freight at Kirkee (Khadki) station near Poona. Note the leading engine oriented the wrong way round. #AUTH1#Shantanu Sen#AUTH2#, 2000.

An ERU overhead inspection car rests just outside its shed at Seoraphuli on the ER. These battery-driven cars are fitted with a pantograph which serves to check the height of the catenary. They are now rapidly being replaced by 8-wheeled bogie stock. #AUT

A KJM 'Jumbo' WDM-2 unit rushes past a level crossing with the 17 car Marikuppam - Bangalore City Passenger. The engine is in typical KJM livery. #AUTH1#Apurva Bahadur#AUTH2#, 2001. #GOLD#

Neale was unfortunate as his balls always had to perform to IR standards! The driver hands over a hoop with a Neale's ball token to the ground staff. Note the V-shaped bottom hoop replaced with a single stick, giving it a lollipop shape. #AUTH1#Terry Case

The shunting master couples a YDM-4 to its train at Pakala. The train will go to Tirupati. This picture shows the MG coupling in some detail. #AUTH1#Tim Wakeman#AUTH2#, 2001.

Smoke, mist and steam: this fairy tale rendering by Terry Case shows a steam engine blasting out of a station in Goa. Note interesting trackside scenario: the cone-shaped pointsman's cabin, the fair damsel going to market, step-shaped boundary wall of the

WDM-4 #18001 (amazingly freshly repainted!) awaits preservation in a siding in New Delhi. It is not known as to whether the engine will join the NRM exhibits, or be moved to the new upcoming rail museum in Madras. (Chennai). #AUTH1#Harsh Vardhan#AUTH2#,

A commendably clean WAP-5 #30005 backs away to the shed at New Delhi on a wet day in 1997. The scene has a typically overseas feel about it, what? #AUTH1#I S Anand#AUTH2#, 1997.

Probably the only pic of its kind in the world, this dramatic scene shows the driver actually picking up the token at speed. Note the spike being used for greater grip. This is probably the only pic on the web where the spike is actually seen in use. The

Alas, a scene that will not be repeated: full head of steam for a YP as she departs from Rameswaram with a passenger train. #AUTH1#John Lacey#AUTH2#, 1980s?

A YL at Tranquebar (now Tarangambadi) reflects on happier times of yore. These locomotives were grossly underpowered for the work demanded of them. #AUTH1#John Lacey#AUTH2#, 1980s?

Several slices of history in one: this shot by Apurva Bahadur shows a mobile ticket office on a car of the NG Daund - Baramati line. The line is now BG. Slices of history are the the NG car, the mobile ticket window, and the long gone car number illuminat

A study in tracks at New Delhi shows points and standby frog rails, probably for replacement. #AUTH1#Sandeep Sharma#AUTH2#, July 2001.

This dramatic shot taken at Kala Bakra St. near Jalandhar (NR) shows the Malwa Express picking up the token at approx. 60-65 kmph. Note token hoop suspended in mid air. #AUTH1#Sandeep Sharma#AUTH2#, July 2001.

WDM-2 #17938 running SHF prepares to leave Nira with the Maharashtra Express. #AUTH1#Apurva Bahadur#AUTH2#, 2001. #GOLD#

Oh, for the glories of steam!! A YP has her firebox cleaned out in the Indore shed. #AUTH1#Heinrich Hubbert#AUTH2#, date? #GOLD#

Condemned, yet pristine: this YP awaits the scrap dealer's hammer at Rajkot. This engine hauled the last steam services out of Wankaner. Although condemned, she was given a fesh coat of paint presumably for the Pepsi ad she very probably starred in. #AU

An antique freight car converted for passenger accommodation. The MB on the side probably means 'Military Barracks': If this is true, I pity the soldiers: this is subhuman accommodation. #AUTH1#Sandeep Sharma#AUTH2#, 2001.

A WAG-7 at Badnera. The power of this beast can well be appreciated from the sheer length of the freight train she is hauling. Cars are open high sided. #AUTH1#Zubin Dotivala#AUTH2#, 2001.

A closer look at the rotary flasher lamp which turns on automatically under certain circumstances. #AUTH1#Mrinal Das#AUTH2#, 2001.

WAP-4 #22062 at Mughalsarai shed with new twin beam headlights, and a new US diesel-style rotary flasher lamp on the roof. #AUTH1#Mrinal Das#AUTH2#, 2001.

WDM-2 #17176 in KJM livery backs up to take charge of the Swarnajayanti Express (note typical livery of this train) at Pune. #AUTH1#Harsh Vardhan#AUTH2#, 2001.

WDM-2A #17678 glimmers in the afternoon sun at Ernakulam. Note WAG-5 on other side of the platforms. #AUTH1#Jason Antony#AUTH2#, 2001.

The old matriarch steams again: a full head of steam for the 1855-built Fairy Queen locomotive, shot at New Delhi in 2000. #AUTH1#Harsh Vardhan#AUTH2#, 2000.

This pic shows two of the three WPs now at the NRM. The one nearest to the camera is the static exhibit at the NRM. She has been steamed on a couple of occasions, but severe corrosion means a lot of work before the engine can move again. #AUTH1#Satish Pa