Approaching the Tapti river bridge. Khandwa - Akola section - March 2005. Bharat Vohra.

Crossing our pairing train at Dhulghat. The Meenakshi was crossed twice - first at Phulera on day 1 of our journey and now here on day 2. Dhulghat - March 2005. Bharat Vohra.

Going over and looping ourselves in the process. Khandwa - Akola section - March 2005. Bharat Vohra.

Going under the 'loop'. Khandwa - Akola section - March 2005. Bharat Vohra.

35 Ton Steam Crane at Akola aptly named 'Tapti' This was 1 of 2 steam cranes that we spotted there. Akola - March 2005. Bharat Vohra.

The remains of Akola's MG steam shed. Akola - March 2005. Bharat Vohra.

Climbing the grade out of Akola to cross the Bhusawal - Nagpur BG mainline. Akola - March 2005. Bharat Vohra.

The Senior Railway Institute at Manmad. Manmad - March 2005. Bharat Vohra.

The old MG steam trip shed at Manmad. The erstwhile MG (now BG) alignment of the SCR towards Ankai Quila and beyond to Purna can be seen behind the shed. Manmad - March 2005. Bharat Vohra.

GIPR engraving at Manmad Jn. Manmad - March 2005. Bharat Vohra.

A tribute to Pune's WDM3A 17897R which hauled our Goa Express non-stop from Manmad to Bhusawal at a blistering average speed of over 85 kmh. I don't recall as good a run on IR for many years now. Bhusawal - March 2005. Bharat Vohra.

Loco line up at Manmad - Gooty's WDM3A, Kalyan's WCAM3 and Gaziabad's WAP1 represent 3 distinct parts of the country (south, west and north) and also 3 distinct forms of motive power (diesel, dual voltage electric, ac electric). Manmad - March 2005. Bhar