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The most powerful NG loco in the world, the 700 HP MAK engined
Diesel Hydraulic ZDM4A. Note the 1B-B1 wheel arrangement. Note the
external brake pipe. |
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Although the Daund - Baramati (since converted to BG) spur is
'land locked', the loco and rake were homed to Kurduwadi. As per
the overhaul schedule, the loco and the coaches were loaded on a BG
flat and sent to Kurduwadi. The power bears the insignia of its
parent shed. This is essentially Barsi Light Railway hardware. |
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The 1B - B1 weight spreading wheels for lightly laid tracks.
Note the dome light for illuminating the purging of the compressed
air tanks of moisture at some dark BLR stop. The drain cock is open
and the air tank is releasing its condensate. |
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Trying to understand some finer points about the NG working.
This is quite a large loco. The long hood contains the 6 cylinder
inline engine and the hydraulic power pack. The short hood has the
radiators (on either side), the single large vertical cooling fan
and the batteries. |
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Life on Baramati platform The coaches are full featured,
complete with continuous vacuum brakes, toilets with running water,
generator-fed lighting/fans and sleeper arrangement. |
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It does not make sense to post permanent commercial staff at
hamlets such as Sirsuphal, Malad, Ravangaon etc., so the train
carries its own booking office in the guard's van. Not many
customers here! |
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The Daund Baramati passenger was the probably the only train on
the IR that waited for the road traffic at a level crossing! The
train carried its own person to close and open the single level
crossing en route. Note the 'Z gauge' (2' 6") coupling. |
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Another ZDM4A power coupling to its load at an earlier visit to
Daund. This is classic 'One Train Only' territory and a token hangs
in the loco emphasizing it's right to occupy the track. |
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The twin engined articulated mountain climbing loco # 503 at
Neral Jn. |
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It is not young. Manufactured in 1955, as per the maker's (Jung
Jungenthal) plates . |
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'Coming on load' at Neral. The load in this case is the 603
Down passenger. |
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Loco had two MWM L6 TRHS prime movers initially, but as the age
caught up with these engines, it was prudent to shoehorn two Indian
Cummins KTA 1150 into each of the hoods driving a common hydraulic
trans via dog clutches. |
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The Cummins prime movers are larger, hence necessitating the
'parasol' on the hoods. |
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Peeking inside the cab, the vertical throttle wheel is visible,
rotated one way is forward, the other way the loco reverses. The
recording 'Hassler' speedo is also visible. |
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The 'N gauge' (2' 0") coupling. There are no continuos vacuum
brakes and individual brakesmen ride outside each coach to brake
the coach. |
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Detailed view of the brake lever at the outside the coach. |
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The older coaches have doors that open towards outside, the
newer ones have large 'greenhouse' windows with 'total loss'
battery fed lighting. There is a stenciled request to keep the
windows open in case of a storm to prevent capsizing. |
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The hoods can 'crocodile' around sharp curves, the free to turn
hood is clearly visible. Both the 180 HP engines run during the
climb, while one is switched off and disconnected while
descending. |
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The N gauge covered freight wagon, there is also an open
version of this cute vehicle. Note the hook for the LV plate. |
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More freight wagons on the MLR. Note the step on the freight
power, on which the brakesman ride, while pulling on the brake
lever which is just about visible. In the background is the busy
Mumbai Pune line's catenary. |
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Sometimes it carries dogs, but right now it houses the fire
extinguishers; the dog cage on the MLR rake. |
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603 Down climbs the grade towards Matheran. There is a tiny
'one kiss' tunnel in the 21 Kms climb. The tickets are charged for
126 Kms distance to compensate for the climb. |
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Nearing the top of the climb, it is clear why Matheran (Forest
on the top) is so named. Why did the steeply graded MLR not have a
pushing loco like the Nilgiris? |
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At the Matheran station, the driver hands over the Niele's
token to the station staff. |
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The loco is shut off after stabling the rake next to plinthed
MLR Orenstein and Koppel tank # 741. |
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A 'holiday special' pulls into Matheran. As the platform road
is occupied, the other line is used. Note the 'fouling mark' tablet
on the ground, any vehicle must stand clear of this to avoid a side
collision with the other line. |
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Yours truly with the garishly painted MLR 741 at Matheran
station. |
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View from the front of the MLR 741 showing the stabled rake and
the staff quarters in the background. All the shunting of
individual coaches is done by the station staff who casually push
the tiny railway property. |
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The rear end of the tank. Neral Jn. had a very tiny triangle
near the platforms to turn the locos. |
