Daundaj is a tiny station on the Pune – Miraj line, located 65 kms from Pune. The place has all the charms of a rustic station set in the flowing grassy slopes, it also offers an interesting curvy set of tracks towards Miraj. The curves are a complicated variant of the 'Omega' shape. Conveniently, the middle of the 'Omega' is a small hillock from where one can make observations... Ashish, John and me, Apurva visited Daundaj on the 10th June 2006.
The MG permanent way runs through the Daundaj station. This is the old MG station building.
The old MG station building is someone’s house now – but still has the old ticket window. Daundaj station.
A view of the ‘waiting hall’ at Daundaj. Note the Avery weight scale, it was manufactured in 1891 !
A view of the weighting platform of the Avery machine at the Daundaj station.
A view of the arm of the Avery scale showing the mark of the MSM (Madras and Southern Marattha) railways on the slide and the brass weight. Daundaj station.
A view of the road approach to Daundaj station.
The 1610 Up passenger arrives at Daundaj to take us back to Pune. The power for this train is Gooty WDG 3A pair # 13250 and 13214. Both locos were Mued, very live and put up a great, loud performance on the homeward journey. The 13250 has a ducted radiato
The 1610 Up crew drop the token hoop from the earlier section and accept the new token for the section ahead.
Guntakal meets Gooty at Phursungi ! The GTL WDM 2 # 16390 hauls in the 1029 Down Mumbai – Kolhapur Koyna Express via the loop line while the Gooty twins wait with the 1610 Up passenger on the Phursungi platform line.
Apurva and Ashish set out on their long march to the hillock in the distance, behind the agave flower stalk.
Entire rake on the Daundaj curve! GY Garuda WDG-3A 14971 and its buddy made the valley echo with classic Alco music. Photo by John Mani
For once, BG scores over MG. While the BG creates wonderful geometry, the old MG line simply cut right across. While we lay in wait, the farmers busy ploughing were our chief source of inspiration. Photo by John Mani
It was hot and we quench our thirst - that of the physical kind. But Daundaj beckons again, and we will be back here soon. Photo by John Mani
Sight for sore eyes. Lovely station waiting patiently for the monsoon. Photo by John Mani
Apu and Ashish explore the old MG building as we see the old line veering to the right, while the line on the left appears to be a siding...Photo by John Mani