Land of the Cholas
Travels to Tanjavur and neighbouring areas
6853 TBM-MV Cholan Express waits for depature with GOC YDM-4 #6186 at the head. Tambaram Stn.
A CGL bound BG EMU picks up speed as it exits TBM. Note the paint job. The front face of SR's EMU's have a single chevron where as this EMU features the MMTS style front.
Abandoned steam shed at Chengalpattu(CGL). Once home to YG's and later a maintenance shed for YDM-2's, this place is now rundown with early morning squatters making a visit inside highly unpleasant!
A fellow passenger in a pensive mood!
Chidambaram. Typical MG station with low rise platforms and giant trees. Note the loop lines on the right. Signs of busy times long past.
Looming Large! A low angle perspective of GOC YDM-4 #6040 at Mayiladuthurai Jn. This loco went on take charge of a Tirvavur bound passenger.
A group of RPF personnel assembling for a flag hoisting ceremony at Tanjavur Stn! Despite it being Independence day and added security, I was able to freely roam the station and take photos.
A modified DEMU running on bio-diesel exits Tanjavur on its way to Trichy.
Another view of the same DEMU on the curve outside TJ. People fond of telephoto shots will love this place!
Tanjavur Jn. MG lines ruthlessly cut on either side. Sad to see MG disappear from this place. It was one of TN's busiest junctions with three lines.
Another Trichy DMU waits for departure. Normally crowded, this DMU ran practically empty on this day. Note the odd bubble shaped covering for the FOB!
Action Stations! Hawkers get ready as the TPJ-MV passenger with GOC WDP-2 #15502 arrives at Tanjavur. This passenger would go to Kumbakonam and then take the newly converted line to Mayiladuthurai(MV).
Typical scenery. Paddy and Sugarcane are the primary crops from this area giving it the nickname "Rice Bowl"!
Entering MV. ED WDM-2 #18554 waits to reverse and take charge of a Tirunelveli bound passenger.
A side profile of GOC WDP-3a #15502. Most GOC based loco's now sport a hideous red color for the cow catchers.
Branch line scenery at its best. A MV bound passenger waits under large and shady trees at Anandatandavapuram(phew!) while our express speeds past.
Another typical scene. At Panruti, passengers and hawkers wait to board a passenger hauled by GOC YDM-4 #6139.
YDM-4's 6181 and 6312 wait for their turns at wheel alignment and profiling while trip shed personnel move another set. Villupuram.
Big..Big..Bigger. TPJ bound Pallavan express with AJJ WAM-4 #20477 shoots past us 105kmph.