Diarrhea, Dunes & Dual Gauging

Between Shri Ganganagar and Prithvirajpur, the Kesrisinghpur feeder, a section of the Bikaner Canal, from where the line gets its 'Canal Loop' name, accompanies the rail alignment, often matching curve for curve! (Bharat Vohra)

Assistant's view of the 'Canal Loop' ! (Bharat Vohra)

Village Gurudwara, close to Dalpat Singhpur. (Bharat Vohra)

Closer to Dalpat Singhpur Halt, we spot the road that leads to the Pakistan border, 8 kms away. ()

Crossing #3 at Sri Karanpur, with #6611 at the head of a late morning working out of Suratgarh. Note the Pariah waiting patiently on the platform for the crew of 6611 to feed it! ()

Working on the fields, Zorawar Pura. ()

Local colour, Rai Singh Nagar.
Note the ominous signs of 'BG - coming soon' ! ()

Sand dunes make an appearance between Rai Singh Nagar and Mohan Nagar. ()

Even more sand at Mohan Nagar and yet more signs of gauge conversion! ()

South of Mohan Nagar, sand dunes dot the landscape as far as the eyes can see! ()

Closer to Masaniwala, a pack of Spotted Deer and Antelope emerge through the sand dunes and scamper across the trains path! ()

Once they've done so, a few of them stand and stare at the train go by while others settle down to graze. The Blackbucks (Antilope cervicapra) are easily the most striking amongst them! ()

Local women folk, in typical Rajasthani attire, with their backs to train! ()

A tiny little village and its 'talaab' (pond) en route.. (Bharat Vohra)

Between Masaniwala and Bugia, we cross the Suratgarh branch of the Rajasthan Canal. (Bharat Vohra)

Farm house (in the traditional sense!) between Bugia and Jaitsar. (Bharat Vohra)

The lushness of mustard fields returns as we near Sarupsar Jn. (Bharat Vohra)

Paddy fields, mustard fields and brick kilns dot the landscape between Jaitsar and Sarupsar Jn. (Bharat Vohra)

The BG branch to Anupgarh curving in from the southwest. (Bharat Vohra)

#6674 waits at the head of its 8 coach train for a crossing at Sarupsar Jn. (Bharat Vohra)

Abu Road's 16825 clears the road ahead as it brings in the late afternoon service for Anupgarh. (Bharat Vohra)

"Joining Mainline" #6674 gets the all clear and is about to enter the only surviving Gaunteleted (dual gauge) section in India! (Bharat Vohra)

The dual gauge section sports signals for both gauges in either direction! (Bharat Vohra)

Leaving the mixed gauge section on our approach to Suratgarh Jn. (Bharat Vohra)

The 1SHS Sadulpur - Suratgarh passenger, on arrival at Suratgarh Jn. As the itinerary on the destination board suggests, the same rake will return to Sri Ganganagar, albeit the next morning. (Bharat Vohra)

The quaint and colourful MG side of Suratgarh Jn. (Bharat Vohra)

Suratgarh Jn., looking north, with the BG platforms in the distance. (Bharat Vohra)