Independence Day trip to Adarki - Apurva Bahadur.

Mist topped mountains between Fursungi and Alandi as seen from the first coach of the 1609A Pune – Satara passenger. Between Fursungi and Alandi, 2005-08-15. Apurva Bahadur.

The 1609A down waits for a crossing at Alandi. The 1609A down had a low priority on that day – it was to wait for this crossing and later an overtake - both by non stop freight trains !. Alandi, 2005-08-15. Apurva Bahadur.

The shot of the token being picked up. Alandi, 2005-08-15. Apurva Bahadur.

Another stop for the 1609A down, this time at Jejuri, to be overtaken by one of the three crack freights that run almost non-stop in the morning from GIT yard, Pune to Miraj. Jejuri, 2005-08-15. Apurva Bahadur.

The assistant' face shows intense concentration as he throws the token hoop from the earlier section. The hoop is decorated on account of the Independent day. Note the flag shown by the driver on the right of the loco and the arm protection worn by the as

After having delivered the token correctly, the Khalasi green flags the BCN through. The incoming token hoop lies on the ground. Jejuri, 2005-08-15. Apurva Bahadur.

Pune WDM 3A # 18976R pushes at the rear of the crack freight to help the heavy 3300 tonne rake up the 1 in 100 rising gradient. Note the LV plate on the hood of the loco and the decorated caboose named as ‘Bholu’s Van’. One can see Vikas Si

The 1609A had a wait some more time to start till the crack freight had cleared the next block section. The khalasi seen earlier, now brings the token for the 1609A, additionally he carries sweets for the crew, to celebrate the flag hoisting at the statio

School kids pose along with their teacher after having attended the flag hoisting ceremony in their local school outside the railway station. Jejuri, 2005-08-15. Apurva Bahadur.

The empty coach of the 1609A becomes a neat place to grade vegetables that have been procured from the bulk market at Nira. Note the veggies in the upper berths too – the huge amount of shrubs was spread over many bays in this coach from sacks in a f

A sequence, showing the Pune WDM 2 # 17628 hauling the 1609A down out of Adarki. Note the Indian flag in the background and Vikas with Ashish near the loco. Adarki, 2005-08-15. Apurva Bahadur.

A sequence, showing the Pune WDM 2 # 17628 hauling the 1609A down. Adarki, 2005-08-15. Apurva Bahadur.

A sequence, showing the Pune WDM 2 # 17628 hauling the 1609A down. Adarki, 2005-08-15. Apurva Bahadur.

A sequence, showing the Pune WDM 2 # 17628 hauling the 1609A down. Adarki, 2005-08-15. Apurva Bahadur.

A sequence, showing the Pune WDM 2 # 17628 hauling the 1609A down. Adarki, 2005-08-15. Apurva Bahadur.

A view of the national flag being hoisted at Adarki. The tiny station building has been electrified only in Jan 2005 and some of that juice was used to play patriotic music from a sound system hidden in the green plastic bag. Adarki, 2005-08-15. Apurva Ba

The old station board stands guard over the valley. Adarki, 2005-08-15. Apurva Bahadur.

The station building cum station master’s office. Adarki, 2005-08-15. Apurva Bahadur.

Boxes holding the track material stores. Adarki, 2005-08-15. Apurva Bahadur.

Janata waiting for the 1610 Up passenger being gently caressed by the fine wind from the valley. Adarki, 2005-08-15. Apurva Bahadur.

The token hoops hanging outside the station master’s office. One of these has the ball token meant for the 1610 Up passenger that we were to take back for Pune. Adarki, 2005-08-15. Apurva Bahadur.

The 1610 Up passenger arrives with the Pune WDM 2 # 17966. Adarki, 2005-08-15. Apurva Bahadur.

A subset of the upper quadrant signals – a shunting disk that rotates to show either the horizontal (stop) or angled red bar (shunt) by the day or a red or a white lamp by the night. Salpa, 2005-08-15. Apurva Bahadur.

The 1610 Up passenger diverts on the platform loop while a BCN rake with double Gooty shed WDG 3As wait on the main line. This is Daundaj – a very charming station set in a grass field amongst the hills. Daundaj, 2005-08-15. Apurva Bahadur.

The advanced starter semaphores for platform line and main line are located on the hillocks quite a distance from the railway line. Daundaj, 2005-08-15. Apurva Bahadur.

The old MG alignment runs alongside the BG line at Daundaj – here is an old culvert on the MG alignment, one can see many tens of these culverts along the route. Daundaj, 2005-08-15. Apurva Bahadur.

The ‘WT’ mark on the BCN indicates that the wagon has been ‘Water Tested’ i.e. water sprayed on the top would not leak inside – thus making the BCN suitable for hauling goods that are sensitive to moisture. The wagons that have