As the sun fades into the hazy evening, the roaring storm kicked-up sand and dust resulting in shifting sand phenomenon. While we struggled to stand our grounds, there was sudden excitment among the trees and bushes; waving, swirling, tossing their branches, as if they were worshiping. Then, appeared from the dusty haze, is the diesel hauled train, gloriously notching up, against the storm... Our humble tribute to the hardworking men and machines, serving through one of the toughest terrains in the country.
Now, where did the train go? (Naveen)
Far from its home, Siliguri WDG-4 #12178 moves into the loop at Deshnoke to allow the Barmer bound express to cross. (Raghu Jayaraman)
ABR WDM-2A #17918 with Suratgarh - Jaipur Passenger accelerates out of Palana. (Raghu Jayaraman)
Desert King - Sections around Merta Road, and Bikaner are dominated by these alcos from Abu Road. Here we see an Alco from ABR hauls the passenger to Jaipur. (BenHur)
Reflecting the colorful tradition, the rajastani women in bright colors takes break in the shade, while another bright color diesel beauty from Abu Road, swiftly flies past us with Jaipur bound passenger. (Harish Kumar)
Another view of the Jaipur bound passenger.
Here we see another diesel beast, struggling to move the rails through the sandy gradient. (Harish Kumar)
Two freight carriers of different origin. (Harish Kumar)
Siliguri based WDG-4 #12178 takes a north bound BOXN rake (Naveen)
Another angle of the visitor from North East Frontier. (BenHur)
The Lone Warrior... (BenHur)
For the evening session, we split up at various vantage points across the 14 kms stretch between Jamsar and Jagdevwala that dots part of the great Thar desert.
First up, the late running Jaipur - Suratgarh passenger hauled by ABR WDM-2A #18616. Location: Somewhere between Jamsar and Jagdevwala. (Naveen) (Naveen)
Jaipur - Suratgarh Passenger powered by ABR WDM-2A #18616 hurries towards Jagdevwala, its next shceduled halt
The calm before the storm: The Suratgarh passenger coasting as it hits a slightly down gradient. (BenHur)