Aditi and Shyama relax at the Surawali halt. Two narrow, low level platforms, one booking office (complete with a dozing clerk) and this bench is all there is at Surawali.
Gooty triplets thunder light towards Vasco. There was not much traffic at this time. I was told to come back in the morning when the tracks are somewhat busy.
Next morning, seen besides the Surawali level crossing: cost-effective, motorized maintenance vehicle, KR style. Think of this device as a rickshaw on rails, for much of the mechanism and controls are from a Lamberetta three wheeler.
The second vehicle lacks an engine but has a tow hook. The rear axle has a plastic ring over the wheels for some reason — increased adhesion or preventing signal interlocks from operating? Is this what is referred to as an 'insulated trolley'? Why is the plastic ring absent for the other axle?
Through the morning haze comes the KR6/8 Up passenger to Sawantwadi/Diwa behind an Erode power.
The train changes the number from KR6 to KR8 at Sawantwadi at the border of Goa/Maharashtra.
The train is quite fast at this point, although it has a stop at the Surawali halt, ahead of the level crossing. The church bells peal in the background...
Next is the 361 Kulem - Vasco passenger with a GY power. The KR trains use SR or CR powers, while the SCR trains use only the SCR's own locos from Gooty.
The Gooty WDM2 # 16694 speeds down the grade with the 361 passenger rake.
Ernakulam shed WDM2 hauls the Gandhidham - Nagercoil weekly express towards Madgaon. The same loco works the train for the entire route to and fro, ~1950 kms each way!
A steep climb towards Madgaon from here.
The GY WDM2 # 16658 starts the 362 passenger to Kulem up the gradient from Surawali towards Madgaon.
The footbridge at Surawali — while it connects opposite sides of the track, there are no roads leading to it! So guess how many people use the bridge? Makes a great perch for train spotting through.
