Meter gauge to MHOW

With the meter gauge system rapidly disappearing I made it a priority to ride and photograph some part of the small remaining system on this trip as it may well be my last opportunity. After researching the remaining segments I decided that the Khandwa to Mhow segment would be my best opportunity with a long overall run, a respectable amount of trains and some fantastic scenery. After an early morning arrival on the Jehlum Express I boarded my first meter gauge train, 52992 to Omkareshwar Road. After spending the morning photographing trains crossing the Narmada River I boarded 52964 to Mhow where I was able to tour the meter gauge shed. After a night at the Colonel Uphaar hotel in Mhow I boarded 52963 to Patalpani where I met up with fellow IRFCA member Vivek Mishra for an exhausting but very productive day of railfanning in the Ghats.

Video links:
Khandwa to Omkareshwar
52963 crossing the Narmada
Omkareshwar to Patalpani
Railfanning in the Choral Ghats

Date: 2016-05-30
Owner: Nikos Kavoori
Size: 65 items
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Magic of the meter gauge, 52992 briefly halts at Ajanti station as the sun rises over the plains. The platform consists of little more than a pair of ancient shade trees.

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Heading north near Attar, a home semaphore is visible in the distance.

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After bailing from the now very crowded 52992 I made a dash for the north end of the station and was able to capture that train powering up the grade towards the Narmada River.

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In a cloud of turbo lag 52992 accelerates towards the Narmada and MHOW.

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My patience was rewarded by 52963 showing up with the ugly duckling of MHOW, 6576 which wears the tattered remains of its old Phulera scheme. This locomotive would follow me around for the rest of my trip much to my dismay.

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Expecting the Akola to Mhow 52988 to be late as usual I set up for the southbound Khandwa bound train. However a few minutes later the distinctive purr of a YDM4 from behind me made me suddenly realize this was a mistake as the train crossed the Narmada r

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My patience was rewarded by 52963 showing up with the ugly duckling of MHOW, 6576 which wears the tattered remains of its old Phulera scheme. This locomotive would follow me around for the rest of my trip much to my dismay.

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A closer view of 52963, the short train easily fits into the frame, attesting to the sad state of the meter gauge these days.

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After 52963 had passed there was a long break to explore and find something to eat. After lunch at Hotel Gopal Midway I ventured back to the bridge to walk the tracks back to the station, easily the safer option over the narrow crowded Khandwa Road. The t

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The extra tall approach semaphore to the Omkreshwar station stands at the edge of the bridge.

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Long wait at a small station, little has changed here in years.

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After a 2hr and 40 minute wait the station comes to life again as 52975 Mhow-Akola arrives at Omkareshwar with the lower quadrant semaphore guiding it to the east platform.

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After a 2hr and 40 minute wait the station comes to life again as 52975 Mhow-Akola arrives at Omkareshwar with the lower quadrant semaphore guiding it to the east platform. The distinctive IR station board clearly shows the station in Hindi, English and U

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After a dash to the other end of the station I was able to photograph 6607 in the classic Ratlam based livery accelerating 52975 south towards Akola under a plume of ALCO smoke.

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6607 rapidly accelerates 52975 towards Akola past the lower quadrant semaphores at the south end of the station. The trains passage has caused a massive backup, the AC bus would be most tourists choice of visiting Omkareshwar rather than the crowded unair

Comments
Nice set of pics
Posted by Benhur on 2016 Sep 12 08:59:17 +0100