Our previous trip to this area on the 6th January 2007 raised many new queries. So Ashish and Apurva made yet another visit for some answers on the 13th January 2007.
We climb to the top of the Khandala plateau – this time using the relatively more verdant catch siding on the left of the Up track (on the left while going towards Mumbai). The track is unique from the other two in having small culverts for the monsoon
This catch siding is in a better condition than the other two – the track is shorter but steeper than the other two catch sidings. This siding has a clearly visible end – unlike the other two, which just disappear into the ground.
Khandala Tunnel Tops ! To start the auspicious day’s railfanning, we spot the 2124 Up Deccan Queen as it descends the Bhore ghats out of tunnel 25 on the mid line.
A look at the WCAM 3# 21948 heading the 2124 Up Deccan Queen as it head to cross the Tata bridge.
The Deccan Queen rake makes an interesting shape.
A view of the area from 2007. Visible are the double lined tunnel 24 and the single line 24C. The 24C was built only during the 1980s, thus only the Tunnel 24 is visible in the map from 1929 –...
The view of catch siding from 2007. This is visible in the map from 1929 as the track running over the tunnels 24 and 3 to be parallel to the reversing station. The end of the line can be seen near...
A detailed view of the catch siding reveals the stone embankment on the top needed to maintain the desired slope on the hill. The white dots are the anchors for the recently laid rock net to prevent landslides. One can also see the net on close observati
A view further away looks at the are seen in this pictureas the yard beyond the catch siding ending in the water tank in the distance. The hill has been drastically cut to make way for the roads.
Downhill bound, triple WCG 2 hauled freighter carrying steel coils arrives at the scene.
The steel coil train is crawling due to the gradient and also to stay under the speed limit that allows a train to pass without stopping at Monkey Hill, which is around 2 kms ahead.
The 2127 down does not stay in open air for very long. The entry to the Tunnel 25C is right below where we stand. The tunnel ends only in the Khandala yard, over 2 Kms away.
While the 2127 down disappears into the dark depths of the Tunnel 25C, the last of the steel coil train is passing us now – there is no brake van ! The last flat wagon carries the LV mark on it.
We move to the next trip objective – finding the perennial waterfall ! As we pause for a breather, the 1024 Up Sahyadri Express peeks from the portals of the Tunnel 25.
More 1024 Up pics.