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
The line to Kollam departs Sengottai in truly magical fashion
Entire Sengottai station, View from Kollam side. We will soon see a WDP 3A on the right side on Pf. No. 1 with Pothigai Exp
A beautiful rock behind the diesel shed
Ahhh, some maroon MG coaches waiting to be serviced. Hope they don't paint them blue
Surprise again... A composite 1A/2A coach. We were wonderstruck to see this coach. It is here to be refurbished and a part of planned heritage runs on the Sengottai-Punalur sector. So, lovers of MG A/C coaches, you have a new life!
Is this the way you would like to see the king of kings of MG coaches?
Our return train to Kollam finally turns up one and a half hour late due to rains. Yet another beautifully painted GOC loco 6186 heading us
The starter has turned amber and we depart back to Kollam. The mountains look menacing in front of the YDM 4
The last station in Tamilnadu before we cross to kerala is Bhagavathipuram, set amidst stunning scenery
One last look at the MG queen as e stop at Tenmalai. This is the last photo of the day. My batteries ran out, and so did the light
Jimmy busy taking pic of the beast
Sriram Balachander came to Kollam from Thiruvananthapuram in the CAPE-CSTM Exp, hauled by the strange loco 17519 (Sriram B)
Approach the lion when sleeping... Winds of change at Kollam (Sriram B)
YDM4 6312 with her big sister (Sriram B)
YDM4 6312 backing up to take charge of QLN-TSI express
Surprise.. While we were busy exploring QLN, Netravati to LTT came with the strangest of locos - GOC WDM 2 18329 "0". This loco is supposed to be an inferior one but is used on Netravati! This was the best shot possible (Sriram B)
The twin WAG5s woke up and showed us what is "fast"... (Sriram B)
The biggest competition for this cute little metal snake... goes over her... (Sriram B)
Venu sir (far off) and Vibin (from the emergency window) pose for a nice snap (Sriram B)
Punalur Switching cabin... And a historic building with a water tank atop (Sriram B)
Men who toil day in and day out to keep this line alive (Sriram B)
Coming out of one of the five tunnels enroute. (Sriram B)
Magical view from the Sengottai Station (Sriram B)
It says 30, but the new regulations limit speed to just 10 (Vibin Andrews)
No wonder they call us "RAIL NUTS" (Vibin Andrews)
The NH 208 and railway line run next to another from Kollam to Aryankavu. They even kiss each other at places! (Vibin Andrews)
Thats all that make up of a station deep inside the jungles. Edappalayam. (Vibin Andrews)
Recent comments
Excellent album guys. Thanks a lot for the treat!!
Posted by Siddhartha Ganesh on 2007 May 11 17:48:53 +0000
Excellent photos Jimmy...I regret not being able to come!
Posted by Sriram P on 2007 May 08 03:32:03 +0000