4 railfans (Benhur, Naveen, Harish and Raghu) set out on a 3 day ride on the Narrow Gauge line between Jabalpur and Nagpur covering all the 4 lines in the route. Our humble attempt to share the sights and delights we experience during the recent trip to Central India and to those line where the trains never rip the tracks… but a gentle gallop through one of the finest landscape in the country… the lines that were built in total harmony with the nature... yes, it is those lovely NG lines between Nagpur and Jabalpur, which have celebrated their centennial not long ago.
The empty rake of Nagpur - Jabalpur Passenger makes a grand entry behind ZDM-4A #211. This will run as 1 NNJ, departing NGP at 12.45 hours.
Peep into the interiors of NG SL/2S ”composite” coach of 1NNJ Nagpur – Jabalpur Passenger. Some of the coaches of the consist were made as recent as 2005.
Loco reversal completed and we are set to pull out of Nagpur on a three days of enthralling trip on NG lines of Central India. (Harish Kumar)
After having left at 12.45 hrs, 1NNJ takes a sharp right hand curve towards Itwari. The line running over us is the Main line towards Itarsi.
First of our scheduled halt - Motibagh - happens at a more picturesque location. (Naveen)
Itwari – Tirodi Passenger with Raipur WDM-2 #16634 gets ready for departure. Itwari. (Harish Kumar)
The ride out of Itwari is marked by couple of road over bridges and the eastwardly BG lines. (Benhur)
Two wired BG lines faithfully accompany the NG line right up to Khaprikheda (KPKD). Seen here is the line on the right hand side while going towards Chhindwara (CWA). (Harish Kumar)
An interesting Sign inside the NG coaches – “Keep doors and windows open during severe storms to prevent capsizing of coaches and injuries to Public”. (Benhur)
Another interesting read - this one is outside the train on the station premises of Khaprikheda. This sign board reads “Cycling on platform is strictly prohibited”. (Benhur)
The trip’s first crossing at Khaprikheda. It was with our opposite number, 2NNJ - which turned up behind ZDM-3A # 176. (Naveen)
Another shot of 2NNJ entering the Khaprikheda station. We had to wait for over 20 minutes for this crossing. (Benhur)
It’s time to move on. The khalasi rushes forward to handover the token and caution order. (Harish Kumar)
Just after Patansaongi, the BG made a diamond crossing, accompanied on the left for the next couple of kilometers before veering off to the left and disappeared. (Naveen)
1 NNJ at Ramakona: We crossed river Kanhan over a long, beautiful bridge to arrive Ramakona at 16:40. Another extended halt here courtesy of parcel unloading from SLRs. (Harish Kumar)