Simple, rustic and charming, MG branch lines, are epitomes of frugal efficiency... Presenting a few sights from a quick hop on the Dindigul (DG) -Pollachi (POY) -Pallakad (PGT) route, a MG line in its last months of operation... awaiting closure, awaiting gauge conversion... and awaiting much needed overhaul ... Loco watchers if you were looking for some long missing GOC YDM4s, you may find them here... Pictures provided by Manohar Natarajan (IRFCA Chennai) Date of Journey: 4 September 2008 Section covered - Pollachi - Palani
View from Pollachi Junction overbridge: YDM4 6141 prepares for its short hop to Podanur with the #768A Pollachi- Podanur passenger from PF1.. Note the pitlines at the left (Manohar Natarajan)
#768A Pollachi-Podanur passenger makes an on the dot departure at 1800 hrs. Heading it is YDM4 6141 with twin headlights.. This was the only ydm4 I have ever spotted with twin lights... As if to compensate, the right side marker was off :-)...
YDM4A #6287 with a passenger rake at Pollachi. It was being prepared for the evening schedule to Palakkad (Manohar Natarajan)
MG Steam Crane Gajarajan keeps vigil like a pre-historic monster. The CR version of the crane, called Gajanan can be seen here: http://tinyurl.com/6ek886 (Manohar Natarajan)
Perched High in the sky, the LQ 2-aspect semaphore keeps tight watch. Solar powered, I wonder if it is operated electromechanically.. Or is it powered only for the lighting ... (Manohar Natarajan)
MG version of Duomatic 8046 tamping machine - seen at Palani station (Manohar Natarajan)
GOC YDM4 #6347 enters Palani station with the afternoon passenger to Palakkad. The famous Palani hills are at the back and to the right is the temple. (Manohar Natarajan)
Quaint signal cabin of Palani station. Many signal cabins on this route are of similar and simple design... (Manohar Natarajan)
Here is another signal cabin at Pushpattur. This station is next to Palani on the Dindigul -Palakkad MG route (Manohar Natarajan)
Solar powered 2 aspect Lower Quadrant Home signals.. for entry into the loop and main lines at pushpattur.. (Manohar Natarajan)
Crossing with #775 Palakkad-Dindigul passenger. Taken from #768 Dindigul-Palakkad passenger (Manohar Natarajan)
At Pollachi Junction YDM4 6347 is being prepared for its onward journey with SR768 Dindigul- Pallakkad passenger. Crew change happens here, and we can see the ALP (in cream shirt) making final checks.. He doned his official colors a few minutes later... (