Across the Shiradi Ghats

At Nittur, a crossing freight makes its way down the grade leading out of the stations. A lot of stations on the YPR-ASK line have steep grades leading in and out. ()

Priority, Circumstance and Life. ()

At Arsikere ()

The Tea Stall ()

Exciting Goodies! ()

Chair Car ()

We wait at the picturesque station of Habanghatta for a crossing. ()

The crossing train is the late running Mysore - Arsikere passenger, led by a KJM WDM2 ()

We begin the descent at Sakleshpur, where a pair of WDG3A locos from KJM shed have been attached in the front to provide extra braking effort down the steep slopes. ()

The stunning vistas en route. ()

Now this is what I call a gradient! ()

No, my train did not turn in to a Duronto within the tunnel! ()

Yedakumari - a station as pretty as they come. ()

Entering one of the 50 plus tunnels on the way. A grade marker shows that we descend steeply, even while negotiating the tunnel. ()

A tunnel made redundant. ()

Out of nowhere, the thick forest ends and we find ourselves at Subhramanya Road, a railhead for a nearby pilgrim town. The station also marks the end of the Ghat section. ()

As the helping WDG3A pair detaches. There is plenty of rollong stock to give us company. a WDG4 pair, a train of 4 wheeler cabooses parked neatly on the right and 8 wheelers on the left. ()

At Bantawal, a WDG4 pair hauling flat cars crosses us. The pair of LPs with their flags waving, make for a great sight. ()