Footloose at Daundaj
The tiny station continues to haunt.
The rolling grassy hills, the misty rain, the warm patches of sunlight, the seductive gusts of wind, the nodding wildflower patches, the neat farm lands, the bubbling brooks, the muddy paths, the stone lined wells, the twitter of birds, and yes, there is a railway line too.
As I close my eyes, I cannot think beyond this paradise on earth…
Pics from our earlier trip to DNJ.
A telephoto of the train leaving the station – the yellow station board and the signal hut at the Pune end can be seen in this pic. The entire sequence of the WDG 4 & BCN was shot from the same spot without moving. Daundaj, 2006-08-15.
Magic of Daundaj… 2006-08-15
The old MG alignment cuts across the convoluted BG loop like a chord of an arc. The BG track can be seen in the background in the cutting. Daundaj, 2006-08-15.
Goodbye to the Upper Quadrant Semaphores. Colour lamp signals and panel interlocking is coming to this station within the next fortnight. Daundaj, 2006-08-15.
This piece of pipe fixed into ground is used to snuff out the flaming rag torch after a token exchange during the night hours. Daundaj, 2006-08-15.
Time to return from paradise. Pune WDM 2 # 16349 hauls the sleeping stable mate WDM 3A # 18724R and the 1610 Up passenger into Daundaj. Apart from the 1610 Up, only one other passenger halts here for travel to Pune – and that event is in the middle of t
A BTPN rake headed by the Pune WDG 3A baldie # 14565 and 14677 waits on the main line while out 1610 Up diverts on the loop line. Rajewade 2006-08-15.
The BTPN rake is banked by the Pune WDM 3A # 18976R. More coincidences - This very loco was seen banking yet another freight last 15th August - http://www.irfca.org/gallery/Trips/Adarki-Aug2005/tokenpickup5_jjr_15aug2005.jpg Rajewadi 2006-08-15
Happy Independence day ! The Indian Tricolour flies tall over the Ambale station as the Pune shed WDM 2 # 16349 and WDM 3A # 18724R arrive with the 1610 Up passenger.
There is a nice 270 degree curve after Daundaj on Pune-Miraj line. In Google Earth this can be viewed at latitude 18.211E, longitude 74.168N. At the other (Welha) end, the of this big curve is another small curve. Seen here is the WDG4 #12072 just enterin
The empty BCNA rake forming a nice ‘S’ pattern on the curves. Near the white hut is a Level Crossing. The road at the LC occupies the old MG alignment. Near Daundaj (picture 2/4)
The rake is traversing the 270 degree curve, as concrete sleepers dot the sides of the track. Near Daundaj (picture 3/4)
The compete rake is on the curve as the loco is exiting the curve. Near Daundaj (picture 4/4)
Recent comments
Dear Appu, a super set of pics. Thanks a lot for sharing them !!
Posted by Jimmy Jose on 2006 Aug 17 22:01:42 +0000
What a fantastic album! Kudos!!
Posted by Gautam on 2006 Aug 17 03:43:48 +0000