Exploring the land of the Mysore Maharajas

The MG line which runs across the new BG line still remains intact (Shishir Jairam)

This is as picturesque as it can get. Location - Kavalande, a station between Mysore and Chamarajanagar. 2010-06-20. (Pawan Koppa)

The ALP gives the all clear to chug out of Kavalande! 2010-06-20. (Pawan Koppa)

Another wayside station - Narasambudhi reflects an old world charm - one gate signal, trees all around and a few passengers waiting to hop on! 2010-06-20. (Pawan Koppa)

All set to depart from Narasambudhi! 2010-06-20. (Pawan Koppa)

For a change, the hero of IR takes a break and becomes a child again as he enjoys the world passing by without a heavy burden on his able shoulders. (Pawan Koppa)

This tree grows so huge that one cannot spot the station board completely! Location- Chinnadagudihundi(the Kannada translation means an offering box in a temple made of gold). 2010-06-20. (Pawan Koppa)

Nothing has changed except the train in Chinnadagudihundi. 2010-06-20. (Pawan Koppa)

We enter Nanjangud town with its temple styled station building. A bulk of the crowd on this route enters/departs at this station. The reason being a famous Shiva temple located nearby. Nanajangud town. 2010-06-20. (Pawan Koppa)

Look at the heavy crowd ready to board the train at Nanjangud town. 2010-06-20.Compare this to http://www.irfca.org/gallery/GeneralScenes/station_scenes/PICT0359.JPG.html and http://www.irfca.org/gallery/GeneralScenes/station_scenes/PICT0358.JPG.html to g

The 203SW negotiates a curve to cross the new Kabini bridge. The river is unusually dry for this time of the year. 2010-06-20. (Pawan Koppa)

The tourism project on the old Kabini bridge looks to be shelved completely as the sad state of affairs of the MG rake, railbus and line reflect. 2010-06-20. (Pawan Koppa)

The old MG Rail bus on the bridge over river Kabini (Sant Kulk)

A huge banyan tree provides a canopy to the 1 hour late running 214 Tirupati-Chamarajanagar Fast passenger as it waits for a crossing with our 203SW passenger bound to Mysore at Kadakola. 2010-06-20. (Pawan Koppa)

Starter caution, advanced proceed and a vendor walking across the tracks. One day in the life of IR! (Pawan Koppa)

A river made of oil! Indeed. This is what this river means in Kannada. There was hardly a drop of oil, oops water in it though! 2010-06-20. (Pawan Koppa)

A restricted view of the Ashokapuram workshop which maintains all rakes of the Mysore division in pristine condition. 2010-06-20. (Pawan Koppa)

We finish thetrip in a grand style UBL WDP4's 20007 and 20026 haul the Shatabdi Express back to SBC. (Shishir Jairam)

And finally, a sight to behold. 8000 hp of raw, original EMD power for a 10 coach rake! UBL twins #20007 and #20026 are the powers for our return trip to Bengaluru on board the 2008 Shatabdi. Mysore Jn. 2010-06-20. (Pawan Koppa)

The group - Pawan Koppa, Shreesha and Shishir Jairam. (Sant Kulk)

Another group photo - This time its Shishir Jairam, Pawan Koppa and Santhosh Kulkarni(from L to R). 2010-06-20. (Pawan Koppa)