With sanctioning of electrification on Yelahanka - Dharmavaram section, 2 trains were immediately given AC links and a plan made to capture the 2 trains with new link near Makalidurga. Plan was made to go by bike in order to have variety of spots to capture trains. We ( I and Rohit ) started from Bangalore by 6 AM. We decided to go to Ghati Subramanya for capturing the electric action. As we crossed Oddarahalli ( a station before Makalidurga ), the gates closed indicating a train. We were expecting Solapur or Bidar Express to turn up but instead it was the first sighting of Electrics with Freight, KZJ WAG7 twins slowly made its way out of Makali ghats and accelerated crazily out of sight. We then moved to Ghati, parked our bike and decided to climb on to a hill. The EMD roar started as we started walking towards the hill and it was Bengaluru bound Udyan Express, the train cleared Makalidurga via loop line for the reasons unknown. Meanwhile called up to Guru and Dheeraj about their locations who
It was green through out the trek to Hill
were also spending their weekend with trains. A WAP4 honk was heard in the meantime and it was the Chennai - Satya Sai Prasanthi Nilayam Express with Itarsi loco. The train slowed down for a crossing and to our luck it was the other passenger train with AC link on this line, Hindupur - KSR Bengaluru passenger led by BRC WAP4. Video of the same can be seen below
It was back to back action after this. Bidar Express and Kondaveedu Express were captured from same spot. We then decided to head to Thondebhavi side for the next set of action.
A beautiful place to sit and enjoy the trains
Its always a happy feeling being away from city
A special thanks to Rohit without whom this would not have been possible
A road passes through these trees
Entrance of Ghati Subramanya Temple, temple can be seen as well.
A location in between Makalidurga and Thondebhavi
We then spent some time at the above location and we also met Dheeraj and Guru here. The trains seen here were Kacheguda - Yesvantpur Express, Mumbai - Nagercoil Express, Vijaywada Passenger and Prasanthi Express bound to Bangalore. I and Rohit decided to head to Thondebhavi for breakfast where as Dheeraj and Guru stayed back. We then explored some location near by, Lucknow - Yesvantpur Express and Karnataka express with its customary ALCO twins made a wonderful sight.
Recent rains made it difficult at some places
Rain water from the hills nearby
We then decide to head back to ride through the old MG alignment and as we were nearing Makalidurga we saw KZJ WAG7 twins with BTPN entering loop line for a crossing. The crossing train was Cement rake with UBL WDG4 twins. We then again explored the MG alignment like last time whose video can be seen below.
KZJ WAG7 twins enters loop line of Makalidurga
Some of the places through which we passed
We also spotted a freight train going up hill, Mysore Jaipur Express during our adventure via the Metre gauge Alignment. We reached Odarahalli soon and made our next stop near Rajankunte to spot Yesvantpur - Kacheguda express. It was a great day once again. Hope you enjoyed the small report and pics. The train pictures and videos will be shared soon..
