The last trip on the Kollam-Sengottai line
The historic Metre gauge line from Kollam (Quilon) Junction to Sengottai (Schencottah) became extinct on 2007-04-30, after an illustrious life of 103 years. The section between Kollam Jn and Punalur is to be converted to Broad Gauge. No final verdict has come on the Punalur-Sengottai stretch, which is trying for a World Heritage Railway status. The scenery along this line is so enchanting it is often referred to as "Queen of Indian Metre Gauge lines". This is indeed the last fully documented trip on this unique line.
Please refer this report on history of this line
What an awesome scenery! This is what this line is so famous for. I think we are at the southernmost tip of western ghats
This line is full of viaducts like these.
After the huff and puff, we reach the Tenmalai Station. This is a tourist spot for everyone
The icon of this line - Aryankavu Viaduct. A sight I would never forget in my life. It was like seeing the Taj Mahal of railways
The 13 span bridge of Aryankavu. Officially the Aryankavu viaductin all it's glory. The board syas sharp curves ahead!
A miniature Aryankavu viaduct. there are so many of them on this route. NH 208 that followed us like a shadow from kollam is parting away from us at this point
We are finally at Aryankavu. Sriram hurries to ask the pilot for a footplate, and the pilot agreed!
Another viaduct. We are bidding goodbye to Kerala. The border is in between a tunnel just after this point
The mountains are over as we enter Tamilnadu
Bye bye mountains. Thanks a lot for the scenery!
The Sengottai station from outside. Lots of people were coming to board the train to Kollam. The train was delayed by an hour. This meant that we had much time to explore the station
Heavy work going on to lay broad gauge lines. looking towards tenkasi
Looking towards Kollam. 3 platforms coming up for Broad Gauge. 2 new ones for metre gauge. These platforms where BG is being laid was once MG
Sengottai (once Schencottah) reflects its new role as a Broad gauge Terminus and will soon have a direct train to Chennai after a gap of 7 years.
Different types of rail possibilities being tried out to suit the Sengottai-Tenkasi BG/MG dual route