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.
No shelter from the heat on Platform 2 & 3 at Jaisalmer. On this hot, dry day, WDM-3A #14014 gets ready to take the Lalgarh bound express. (Naveen)
ALP does the final check, before taking charge of his machine (BenHur)
The railway line terminates before the red wall in the background. (Naveen)
A well-clad personal attendant from the royal train! (Naveen)
Sabarmati Diesels' impressive new logo. Majestic Gir Lion taking the center-stage! (Naveen)
Panoramic view from the Phalodi end of Jaisalmer Station. Seen in picture are Palace on wheel, Jaisalmer - Lalgarh Express, Light WDG-4 #12344 and the Golden Fort of Jaisalmer. (Naveen)
BGKT WDM-2 #16659 pulls into Jaisalmer with the express from Delhi. (Naveen)
The fort that has seen many battles, stands tall with its massive yellow sandstone walls! (Naveen)
Ashapura Gomath was reached ahead of the schedule and we had an extended halt. The line curving to the right goes to Pokaran, and the left line towards Phalodi.
Freight action at Sird, on the Phalodi-Lalgarh section. Even as the through line is vacant, the freight was moved to, what looks like the not-so-often used loop line. (Raghu Jayaraman)
Kolayat, we see the freight being moved to the not-so -leveled loop line. The twin power hauling the freight was Katni based WDG-3A #14390. The trailing loco was a Jumbo. These are the two actions we witnessed on our passage through the Phalodi-Lalgarh s
Siliguri WDP-4 #20015 and LKO WDM-3D #11238 (Cheetah) await call-on duty at Lalgarh Jn. Later in the evening, 20115 would take charge of the Guwahati bound Avadh Assam Express. (Naveen)
ABR WDM-3A #14014 with Jaisalmer - Lalgarh Express waits at Lalgarh, to proceed further to Bikaner. Although Lalgarh is the destination, it further traverses up to Bikaner.
The old MG Platform and MG rolling stocks at Lalgarh Junction. (Harish Kumar)
The MG-BG diamond cross at Lalgarh Junction. The MG line terminates a few meters to the left, while the BG line goes into the workshop. (Raghu Jayaraman)