A Walk In The Ghats: Patalpani-Kalakund

We have our first crossing at Haranya Khedi. Mhow YDM-4 # 6373 slows down with Mhow-Indore passenger. (Vivek Mishra)

Fondly called driver uncle by the kids in our train, the loco pilot of 6373 seems all set for the token exchange. (Vivek Mishra)

All clear to go.
The other train leaves first. (Vivek Mishra)

I have never seen Patalpani so busy before. Even the fourth track (not visible here) was occupied by an empty rake. The train on the left is Akola-Indore passenger with YDM-4 # 6415 as banker, the middle one is a ballast rake with YDM-4 # 6540 in lead and

This point indicator must have seen many ages of meter gauge on this line. (Vivek Mishra)

Just as we start our long walk to the third tunnel between Patalpani and Kalakund, our train Indore-Akola passenger is seen leaving Patalpani. (Vivek Mishra)

A sprint to this spot means we have one final view and a beautiful one too of our train. (Vivek Mishra)

A view of the outer world from the second tunnel. (Vivek Mishra)

Just as we take our first break after the second tunnel, we see the rare freight action. Mhow YDM-4 # 6540 moves towards Kalakund with the ballast rake. (Vivek Mishra)

The freight bids goodbye to us and we start walking once again. (Vivek Mishra)

The ravine viaduct is located before the third tunnel. The third tunnel is to the right (bare visible here). Remnants of old stone bridge can be seen. (Vivek Mishra)

The Indore-Khandwa passenger slows down just before third tunnel for its third brake testing halt in the ghats. In lead is Mhow YDM-4 # 6717. (Vivek Mishra)

A different view of the viaduct. (Vivek Mishra)

Mhow YDM-4 # 6415 rolls over the viaduct on its way back to Kalakund for next banking assignment. The loco would bank Khandwa-Indore passenger later in the day. (Vivek Mishra)

6415 exits the third tunnel and continues its journey towards Kalakund. It looks so small in front of these hills. (Vivek Mishra)

We return to Patalpani in the evening. The station that was full of life early in the day now eagerly waits for some action. (Vivek Mishra)

Just as we find out that our train is an hour late, it starts raining heavily and as a result the visibility deteriorates. (Vivek Mishra)

And here comes our train. Amidst heavy rainfall, an hour late running Khandwa-Indore passenger enters Patalpani behind Mhow YDM-4 # 6638. (Vivek Mishra)