The day begins with the blessings from the halo of the diesel god UBL WDG-4 as it rolls in with a freight from the Arssikere-Kadur side into Birur Junction. Birur. 2010-01-02. (Pawan Koppa)

As the sun basks Birur Jn with its morning rays, UBL WDG-4 twins led by #12133 roll in with a BOXN rake from the Davangere-Chikjajur-Hubli side into Birur Jn. 2010-01-02. (Pawan Koppa)

The ALP gets ready to throw in the token. Birur. 2010-01-02. (Pawan Koppa)

The Khalasi climbs up the platform after collecting the token as the starter at Danger brings the rake to a halt. Birur. 2010-01-02. (Pawan Koppa)

We took the Janshatabdi from Birur to Chikjajur. Enroute is a typical wayside IR station with eucalyptus trees - Nagavangala. The JS bound to Hubli crawls through even though the starter is at proceed. Reason - track works going on ahead near the starters

At Shivani, where usually the JS is made to wait while the Siddaganga intercity bound to Bangalore blasts through at MPS, the tables have turned today. The Siddaganga with UBL WDP-4 twins led by #20035 waits in the loop while we blast through towards Chik

The Janshatabdi bound to Hubli was led by KJM twins - #13054 and #14056. The starter turns to "Proceed" and the ALP looks at the aspect before chugging off! Chikjajur. 2010-01-02. (Pawan Koppa)

The Chalukya Express bound to Dadar rumbles through PF-1 at Chikjajur Jn. The loco leading was KYN WDG-3A #13578. 2010-01-02. (Kunal Doddanavar)

A empty BTPN rake led by UBL WDG-4 rounds about and comes into PF-2 at Chikjajur Jn. 2010-01-02. (Pawan Koppa)

The UBL WDG-4 with the BTPN wagons poses in front of the huge tree in the background at Chikjajur. 2010-01-02. (Kunal Doddanavar)

A view of the multicoloured wagons which were a part of the BTPN rake. Chikjajur. 2010-01-02. (Kunal Doddanavar)

KJM's inaugural specialist WDM-3A #14024 chugs into Chikjajur with the short rake of the 592SW Chitradurga-Chikjajur Passenger. Chikjajur. 2010-01-02. (Pawan Koppa)

Layout of tracks at Chikjajur Jn. The line heading out straight with some roller coaster gradients is the mainline towards Davangere-Hubli. The line branching out towards the right heads to Chitradurga which sees heavy frieght action with rakes transporti

One more look at Chikjajur Jn. A half filled BCNA rake waits on the left of the picture while the BTPN rake is on the right. The huge trees add colour to the station. Chikjajur. 2010-01-02. (Pawan Koppa)

KJM baldie #14007 idles away on the loop. Chikjajur. 2010-01-02. (Kunal Doddanavar)