Train Memories: New Year Trip to Makali Ghats

It always wonderful to start the new years with trains and it went again the same way. I got up around 5:30 and was ready by 6:30. I went to Malleswaram where I met Nikhil who had come to capture a rare combo of WDG4 & WDP4D working together. Here’s my video of the same combo taken on 30^th

We had planned to go to Bangalore cantt and join our friend Rohit and board Bangalore Cantt – Vijaywada Passenger but plan was changed at the last moment. We decided to head to Rajankunte by bus to get our morning breakfast and afternoon lunch at a hotel next to the Rajankunte Station. We reached there around 8:15 and the train had made its way upto Chanasandra by then. We decided to have our breakfast here and it was hot idlies and vada dipped in Sambar. We then bought 3 packets of Rice bath for lunch and a vada for our friend who was traveling in the train and giving us live updates. As we walked towards the station 2 trains were standing, one was Coimbatore – Rajkot express and the other was Hindupur- Bangalore Passenger with Classic ALCO WDM2 twins. Both the trains cleared the line at the same time. We went towards the end of the platform of Dharmavaram side and Rohit had reached Yelahanka by now. After 5 minutes the level crossing gates closed and we expected the passenger to arrive but instead it was the Secunderbad – Yesvantpur Garib rath Express. KZJ WDG3a was in the lead and it skipped at a good speed. The next 20 minutes was spent talking after which the gates closed again. The Basava Express from Bagalkot arrived first into the station and stopped indicating that the passenger is due in a short while. The passenger arrived behind a rebuilt WDG3a, yes Rebuilt WDG3A. WDG3A are being rebuilt now.

Bagalkot - Mysore Basava Express led by UBL WDP4B, Rajankute

Bangalore Cantt - Vijayawada Passenger arrives led by a Rebuilt GTL WDG3A & derated KJM WDM2

We boarded the SLR next to the loco where our friend was also waiting. We started soon and chugged towards our next halt Dodballapur. On entering Dodballapur we were able to see a mixed freight with WDG4 twins in the lead. As soon as we stopped at platform 1 of Dodballapur, WDP4 came roaring with Kachegua Yesvantpur Express. We moved out after the Express went out of sight, loco pilots of WDG4 twins were getting ready indicating that the freight will soon depart. A maintenance vehicle

KZJ WDG4 twins with a mixed freight at Dadballapur

We wait as GOC WDP4D starts to accelerate with Nagercoil Express

shed has been built up at Dodballapur. The next halt for us will also see a crossing as we had checked the status of 16339 Mumbai – Nagercoil in NTES. As expected as soon as we stopped at Oddaharalli, GOC WDP4D started accelerating madly after waiting for home signal for us to enter loop. Next up is Makalidurga where we would be spending the next few hours over there to celebrate the New Year. As soon as the train stopped at Makalidurga, I ran down the bridge to get a wide angle shot of the locos. After the train moved out we decided to climb the hill to have a wide view of trains

The Vijayawada Passenger departs from Makalidurga

tackling the ghats. First up was Prasanti Express led by KJM WDP4 and some time later the WDG4 twins seen at Dodballapur came. We decided to shift our base to some other point where the real trouble started. The grass have grown so tall over here that it was difficult to walk through them, on top of that there were lot thorn like projections which were causing lot of issues as we were walking past. Finally after lot of struggle we got down on the MG alignment which may not be visible in future as doubling work will done along this path at some stretches. We then climbed the next hill

This fellow had claimed on to me when we were walking past the grass

Kazipet WDG4 twins with mixed rake goes down the ghats

One more view of the same train

Big spiders were spotted on the hill

Saw many boys like them heading home after new year night out at the hill

and the view turned out to good enough and we settled down there for the next 2 hours. The trains that was seen in that time were Jaipur – Mysore Express, Karanataka express, Wainganga Express all led by ALCO twins and a Cement rake. We had our lunch ( rice bath ) after that and as we decided to get down, we heard a weird horn and it was a track maintenance machine.

Gooty twins with Cement rake departs from Makalidurga after a crossing with an Express

We had to go through bushes like these to get down

We finally reached the MG alignment and followed it to the station

After 30 minutes of struggle to found a way down and reached station. Check on the NTES indicated that our return train Vijaywada – Yesvantpur Passenger will be seen only after 15:30 hrs. We started heading out to have some refreshment from the near by shop and we heard an ALCO horn. A quick run back to the rails indicted a proceed on the mainline and a turn towards the ghat told that it was indeed an ALCO and light one too which made it a lucky capture here. We then headed out and had cold milk before returning back to station to see a proceed on the mainline again. This time the honk was of electric type and we were totally confused before the OHE vehicle made its appearance.

The Erode WDG3A skips Makalidurga at ease

Monkey's are used to humans here, they come and sit right next to you

A Father with his kid watch Prasanthi Express slow down for a crossing

Lucky these beautiful arrangements will not be disturbed for doubling, The 2nd track is expected to use the old MG alignment at the station

Mangoes on the way soon

We then settled down next a monkey gang who were clearly waiting for the passenger to arrive so that they can get something to eat. Next 30 minutes were spent watching the monkey playing and waiting patiently for the train and we headed back to the station to get the tickets. 2 tickets were bought to Bangalore city, the friendly Station Manager said that he cannot guarantee the connecting train and we said that we will take care of that, thank you. The Prasanthi Exress from Bangalore arrived first and was made to wait on the Mainline for the crossing with the Passenger. Our return train arrived with GTL WDG3A and it had a powerful short hood horn. The return run was pretty amazing with constant chugging and it was the best music after a tiring day. We were again in the SLR next to the engine, Yesvantpur – Kacheguda tri weekly was waiting for us at Oddharahalli. The next halt was a surprise as we were put into platform 2 at Dodballapur and Yesvantpur – Kachedgua Daily express led by KJM WDP4D blasted past. The next halt Rajankunte was a quick stop. After rajankunte, land levelling work has begun on the right side while proceeding towards Yelahanka side. Look like this has been given high priority as the work seems faster. Next stop was Yelahanka and Coimbatore – Lokmanya Tilak Express crossed us here. The station layout has changed completely. A new platform has come and one more is under construction. The section between Yelalhanka and Chansandra is double and it look like once the wiring is completed, CRS will come for inspection. We then entered the Chennai – Bangalore main line and we crossed Kochuveli Express at Baiyapanahalli. We skipped Bangalore East at good speed and were made to halt at Bangalore Cantt Home to let Bangalore Nagercoil Express pass. As luck was on our side, the Kolar – Bangalore passenger was behind us which allowed me and Nikhil to board it Bangalore cantt ore city while Rohit went home form here. We got down at Bangalore home and thus ended a perfect start to the new year.