This is a railfan meeting! Intense discussions are on with the station staff about our train and the crowd!

The Tata WAG7 hauled High capacity parcel van (HCPV) rake departing from the NGP end of Itwari looks disproportionately giant in front of the NG line! The serpentine curve creating an effect of 2 separate HCPV rakes. Dr Akash Bang

It is not everyday that you get to see these old world cables with the pulleys for controlling the Semaphore signals for NG! Dr Akash Bang

A signalman descending the signaling cabin after setting the semaphore signal for the incoming 1NNJ Pass. This platform doubles up as one for NG on this side and for BG on the other side where the BG Gondia Pass can be seen waiting. Dr Akash Bang

Well, the temptation of the signal cabin was too much! Railfan Dilip Setloor poses beside the signal controlling levers. Note the layout of Itwari station in the background. Below, the BG Gondia Pass stands still! Dr Akash Bang

A close view of the detailed layout of the tracks at the Itwari station. Dr Akash Bang

Railfans enjoying every moment gained by the late arrival of 1NNJ NG Pass. From left to right are Dilip, Ranga, Apurva, Bharath & Srinivas. The NG platform of Itwari boasts of 6 NG line well separated from each other- something that will be of immense

The 1NNJ Nagpur – Chhindwara passenger rolls into Itwari station with the Motibaug shed ZDM 4A # 223. Note the railwaymen waiting to conduct the “rolling-in examination”.

Finally the much awaited 1NNJ NG pass arrives taking a curvaceous route with the ZDM4A #223 at its helm. Dr Akash Bang

ZDM 4A #223 in a bang head-on shot! The loco pilot got irritated and sounded a long horn at me. Also note the railwaymen religiously looking for any irregularities as the NG rake rolls in! Dr Akash Bang

At Itwari: At last, our train the 1NNJ arrives with ZDM-4a #223 . People hang from every available space while the khalasi attempts a token exchange.

At Itwari: How are these people (and us) going to get inside?

A mass of humanity awaits the already packed 1NNJ as it rolls into the classic Itwari Jn. – note the outdoor signal and point controlling platform and the nice station roofline. The broad gauge station is on the other side of the fine building.

The jampacked 1NNJ is still the best option for the whole lot of villagers and travellers on the NGP-CWA NG line. The people can be seen hanging on to roofs with their one hand. Also note the milk dabba’s. This pic is just before the NG line takes a rig

Outside Itwari: 1NNJ stuffed to the door departs and slowly negotiates a down gradient.