The MG tracks between Pune and the rest of South India were inaugurated around 1886 and ran till 1970 after which the route was converted to BG. The MG tracks died, but some of the permanent way still survives 120 years later, as do many of the bridges and tunnels from that era. Ashish, John, Bharath and Apurva trekked the abandoned MG permanent way between Phursungi and Alandi on a hot 7th April 2007.
Pune's WDM 2# 18649 starts the 1609A Pune - Satara passenger in style from Phursungi. 7th April 2007.
We started our trek at Phursungi (FSG) station that is barely at Pune’s outskirt. Here the Pune WDM 2 # 18649 starts the 1609A passenger from FSG.
Looking forward, the 1609A climbs into the new day’s dawn.
A view of the signal cabin at Alandi End of FSG that has been abandoned after the recent introduction of panel interlocking.
An intact stone bridges on the MG alignment is located off the BG alignment near the FSG station.
The three arch construction is typical of other stone bridges on the line - two arches are filled solid while the center arch is open to allow the flow of water.
A detailed view of the bridge arch.
A view on the top of this bridge. Note the ends of the bridge - where the stone structure meets the earthwork- beginning to subsist.
The middle of the bridge is also sinking. Not bad for a structure is that is 120 years old and has supported trains for 84 years.
Text from a stone set in the edge of the bridge: "N2, RL BF = 43, LR TF = , Found = R" Any idea what this text means ?
A foundation at the end of the bridge, perhaps for a signal. The height of the bridge from the ground is evident here.
As we veer further from the BG line, a BTPN rake arrives from Alandi end with Pune WDM 2 # 18496 in charge. This picture is from the top of the MG alignment and only the BOXN acting as the 'support wagon' for the BTPN is visible here.
Some 200 meters from the stone bridge, the MG alignment is cut to make place for an electric pylon and farm plots. The MG alignment is partially visible for the next 300 meters and picks up only after a cluster of houses. Here is a satellite image of the
The MG alignment is clearly visible after the end of the settlement. Also visible is a missing bridge. Most of the small stone bridges are missing - coincidentally, the houses near this place are all constructed with black basalt stone :-).
A detailed view of a missing bridge showing how cleanly it has been removed. Here is a satellite image of the point from which the MG alignment is visible once again.