The less explored Meter Gauge lines of Gujarat

We begin our journey from Adraj Moti. The MG Railbus (YRB) parked in the background was to depart at 10.25 AM. L to R - Me, Dr.Ian Manning, Abhijit Lokre. 20th February, 2010, Nikon D40. (S Ashwin)

Abhijit could not join us for this trip, but that des not prevent him from getting a shot as he makes his way towards his locomotive. 20th February, 2010, Nikon D5000. Picture by Abhijit Lokre (S Ashwin)

Inside the railbus. Ian can be seen taking down notes. The YRB started to fill up as we moved toward Vijapur, but at no point did the occupancy exceed 70% of the seating capacity. 20th February, 2010, Nikon D40. (S Ashwin)

We were doing close to maximum speed at this point, a mere 30 KMPH. Also visible is the brake, the accelerator, the horn and the light switches. 20th February, 2010, Nikon D40. (S Ashwin)

At Randheja, people wait to board the elusive railbus. No other railway vehicle operates on this route. 20th February, 2010, Nikon D40. (S Ashwin)

Sequence 1 of 2 - We came across many LC gates where there was no gateman. The assistant seated inside the railbus would get down, and close the gate (both sides), as he is seen doing so in this picture. 20th February, 2010, Nikon D40. (S Ashwin)

Sequence 2 of 2 - The green flag would be waved to let the YRB pass. The railbus would stop after the gate, and the assistant would get in after opening the gates. 20th February, 2010, Nikon D40. (S Ashwin)

One of the few specimens in existence. This railbus runs between Adraj Moti and Vijapur (in Gujarat), has an Ashok Leyland engine, guzzles diesel and can seat about 40 passengers. 20th February, 2010. Nikon D40 (S Ashwin)

Solar powered semaphore spotted a little distance before Vijapur. All semaphores I saw on this line were solar powered. 20th February, 2010, Nikon D40. (S Ashwin)

Vijapur is railbus territory. We spotted 5 railbuses here. The one to the farthest right of the picture would later take us to Ambilyasan Jn. 20th February, 2010, Nikon D40. (S Ashwin)

The timings of the railbus, for those who might want to do this line sometime in future. 20th February, 2010, Nikon D40.
(S Ashwin)

A huge crowd waits at Gerita Kolvada to board the already packed railbus. The LP mentioned that this place saw heavy freight activity about 15 years back, when steam was operational on this line. Between Vijapur and Ambilyasan Jn. 20th February, 2010, Ni

The view from the window. Gerita Kolvada. 20th February, 2010, Nikon D40. (S Ashwin)

Ambilyasan Jn. (UMN) between Mahesana and Ahmedabad has 6 lines, 3 for BG and 3 for MG. The rightmost MG line is for the railbus. 20th February, 2010, Nikon D40. (S Ashwin)

The last leg of our journey between UMN and ADI was done on this 7 car Mahesana - Ahmedabad passenger hauled by YDM4 #6326. 20th February, 2010, Nikon D40. (S Ashwin)

I got off at Sabarmati while Ian continued upto Ahmedabad. This MG steam loco. was plinthed outside Sabarmati railway station. 20th February, 2010, Nikon D40. (S Ashwin)

Dawn at Sabarmati (SBI). The power plant visible in the background belongs to Torrent Power. The lines on the left are BG, and those on the right are MG. 21st February, 2010. Nikon D40. Picture by S Ashwin
(S Ashwin)

The view on the other side. Abhijit can be seen taking a leisurely stroll. 21st February, 2010. Nikon D40. Picture by S Ashwin
(S Ashwin)

As we await a crossing, the Ahmedabad bound Ashram express pulls into Sabarmati headed by BGKT WDP4 #20099. 21st February, 2010. Nikon D5000. Picture by Abhijit Lokre. (S Ashwin)

The wait ends. YDM4A #6326 brings the Mahesana - Ahmedabad passenger into Sabarmati. The train will re-enter the platform after crossing the other passenger staioned on the same platform. 21st February, 2009. Nikon D40. Picture by S Ashwin
(S...

Our first sighting at Saij Sertha Road is the Ajmer bound Garib Nawaz express hauled by a Guntakal WDM3A #18981R. 21st February, 2010. Nikon D5000. Picture by Abhijit Lokre. (S Ashwin)

ABR WDG3A #13166 with a container rake between Kalol and Saij Sertha Road. I was standing quite close to the train, between the two tracks. The women are probably staring at me wondering why I am so close to the train. 21st February, 2009. Nikon D5000. Pi

Signals that control the movement of trains on this high speed section. 21st February, 2009. Nikon D40.
Picture by S Ashwin
(S Ashwin)

A clean, empty platform, clear blue skies, and a smoking YDM4A blasting through a desolate station on a lazy sunday morning. It can't get better than this. 21st February, 2009. Nikon D40. Picture by S Ashwin

(S Ashwin)

We had been speculating the color of the Rajdhani's locomotive, and were hoping for a matching livery. We got lucky. Vatva's WDM3A #18830R was the power. 21st February, 2009. Nikon D40. Picture by S Ashwin
(S Ashwin)

Abhijit captures the action from the other side. 21st February, 2009. Nikon D5000. Picture by Abhijit Lokre. (S Ashwin)

A DMU bound for ADI passes by, a few minutes after the SJ Raj. 21st February, 2009. Nikon D5000. Picture by Abhijit Lokre. (S Ashwin)