Photos taken on the trip to Shahganj from Lucknow (by Doon express) and back (by Ganga Sutlej express aka Kisan). Shahganj lies on the Faizabad loop of the LKO-BSB-MGS route. By Samar.
Doon express stranded on the north line. These are bidirectional lines till Dilkusha cabin from where they split towards Barabanki and Utrathia and further to FD/GKP and SLN/RBL.
Further ahead at Malhaur, the NER line from LJN joins the NR line from LKO from the left. These lines will run parallel and then again split at Barabanki.
Barabanki East cabin...here the split happens. Lines towards the left are going towards Gorakhpur.
Here again another line joins the NER line to Gorakhpur. The logic behind this is trains coming from GKP side and entering LKO (NR) will take these lines while trains going towards LJN (NER) will proceed straight.
For those confused between Safdarganj and Safdarjang, this is the Safdarganj station on the BBK-FD line.
Twin ET diesels detached from the Saket express at Faizabad moving towards the other end to take charge of the same train, as she has to turn around in some time.
Lonely platforms at Faizabad. The rake seen is of LTT-FD Saket express.
HWH bound Doon express behind LDH WDM2A on a curve while just leaving Ayodhya.
The newly constructed line to Mankapur branching off after Ayodhya to the left. One can see a nice curve ahead on that line. This line comes under NER and has a 70 kmph restriction from this point.
Doon crosses Doon at Gosainganj. Both trains are headed by LDH WDM2A.
Line to Tanda NTPC on the right branching off at Akbarpur. This line sees 2-3 freights daily now. No passenger services for past 14-15 years now. One can see the 15 kmph speed restriction board on this line.
Now I have found a way if I get SMB in the future. Yours trully enjoying door plating on the Doon express.
Cop, another cop, and a sadhu who had boarded Doon express at Ayodhya.
Entrance to Shahganj station. The station falls under NR but right side of station is NER territory with lines going to Azamgarh and further GKP/CPR.
This is the dead-end NER side of Shahganj station. Used to be an MG some 13 years back.