A view of the lofty mountains along the railway line. This is the view to the right while moving away from Pune. Between Shindavane and Ambale, 2005-06-11. Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

Ashish fixes breakfast for the Pune chapter - which on this outing, was only the two of us :-). Between Shindavane and Ambale. 2005-06-11. Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

A look back at the "breakfast" point. Between Shindavane and Ambale, 2005-06-11. Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

Two Plasser track maintenance machines leave tunnel 3. Between Shindavane and Ambale, 2005-06-11. Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

The two Plasser machines pose in the ghat section. Between Shindavane and Ambale, 2005-06-11. Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

We now enter a section with deep cuttings and cathedral like silence. This section is unstable and small stones and mud were falling continously even as walked. Vigilant railwaymen are posted here round the clock to ensure that the track is unobstructed b

Ashish crosses one of the seven viaducts in the section. Between Shindavane and Ambale, 2005-06-11. Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

A view of one of the seven viaducts in the section. Between Shindavane and Ambale, 2005-06-11. Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

Note the white arrow on the first pillar - this is the high flood level marker. The high level is amazing, considering the extreme gradient at the bottom of the abyss. Between Shindavane and Ambale, 2005-06-11. Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

A sequence of pics showing Guntakal'€™s WDM 2s # 17218 and 17278 hauling a BTPN rake through the rock cuttings. Between Shindavane and Ambale, 2005-06-11. Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

A sequence of pics showing Guntakal'€™s WDM 2s # 17218 and 17278 hauling a BTPN rake through the rock cuttings. Between Shindavane and Ambale, 2005-06-11. Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

A sequence of pics showing Guntakal'€™s WDM 2s # 17218 and 17278 hauling a BTPN rake through the rock cuttings. Between Shindavane and Ambale, 2005-06-11. Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

A sequence of pics showing Guntakal’s WDM 2s # 17218 and 17278 hauling a BTPN rake through the rock cuttings. Between Shindavane and Ambale, 2005-06-11. Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

Surprise ! We meet the firecracker of a WDG 3A # 13150 once again, in the space of about 3 hours. The loco is now banking the BTPN rake through the ghat. Note the LV plate on the loco's buffer beam. Between Shindavane and Ambale, 2005-06-11. Apurva (iti@

The signal being crossed is the Ambale distant. Between Shindavane and Ambale, 2005-06-11. Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).