Just before Gauge Conversion closed services on the Satpura Narrow Gauge Railway, a diverse team of railfans travelled the length and breadth of the system to document it for posterity.
At Jhilmili, passengers are expressly prohibited from cycling on to the platform!
The overnight Jabalpur - Nagpur service approaches Jhilmili (Rajit Kumar)
Crossing at Jhilmili
Iqbal Mansuri's tea and snacks stall at Jhilmili does roaring business at breakfast time
CWA-NIR passenger meets JBP-NGP passenger at Jhilmili. Note the difference in construction between an older coach on the right and a relatively newer one on the left. (Vivek Manvi)
2' 6" of symmetry
The line between Chhindwara and Seoni curves sinuously aroudn the features atop the plateau. The BG will run straight through, with the grace of a charging rhino. (Rajit Kumar)
Chasing the train, we arrive at Palari where there is a crossing and the reverse train towards Seoni joins the mainline as the semaphore stands guard. (Trayambak Ojha)
All clear - the loco notches up to prepare for the steep gradient ahead (Rajit Kumar)
A packed service from Nainpur approaches Seoni... (Rajit Kumar)
... and is given the all clear flag by the Loco Pilot of our train (Rajit Kumar)
After leaving Seoni the NG train towards Nainpur takes a sharp curve ready to enter Bithli Ghat as the semaphore stands tall. (Trayambak Ojha)
Gathering all its steam the train is ready to climb the Seoni Ghats through the vast expanse. (Trayambak Ojha)