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..
The 13km Double line between Yelahanka and Channasandra has opened. First train to use the new line was 16591 Hubli - Mysore Hampi Express led by UBL WDP4B #40008. Action captured on the second day can be seen in the video below
11th February 2016
Land Leveling work is happening between Thondebhavi and Someshwara.
View towards Someshwara
View towards Thondebhavi
Video also shows the Doubling work in progress
* No work seen between Thondebhavi and Dodballapur
* Dodballapur to Rajankunte - Clearing work
* Rajankunte to Yelahanka - Land leveling work going on
Leveling work between Rajankunte to Yelahanka 1
Leveling work between Rajankunte to Yelahanka 2
Leveling work between Rajankunte to Yelahanka 3
Yelahanka to Yesvantpur : 80 % of the work completed
Platform 2 of Yelahanka Junction will be shifted a bit soon, work on that is underway
Tracks have been removed and the platform 2 will loose this curve
This will be a direct connection for the double line towards Yesvantpur
The blog will be updated as and when i visit the line...
Bangalore Rajdhani was running later by 5 hours and a plan was made by railfans to capture it at Makali. I and Santhosh started around 7 by bus to Dodballapur ( DBU ). We were expected to reach DBU by 8 but as luck would have it, we reached there only by 8:45. Main reasons for the delay were the bus driver taking his own time for the run and Hindupur Passenger at Dodballapur Level crossing. Around the same time, Nikhil who had just reached Bangalore in the morning after returning from IRFCA convention and Shashank decided to join us in the bike so we decided to have breakfast at DBU and waited for them. We spotted Secunderabad - Yesvantpur Garib Rath, Gorakpur - Yesvantpur Express, Bangalore Cantt - Vijayawada Passenger and a BCNA during the wait. We started from DBU around 9:30 and reached Makali just in to time to witness Raj roaring through the ghats. We then spent roaming around the location for the next 4 hours. I and Santhosh decide to stay near the bridge. Nikhil and Shashank decide to climb. Harris decided to stay near the station itself, he had come by Vijayawada Passenger. We all met around 14:30 for lunch. After lunch we returned back and caught few trains as well. A last minute planning made us enjoy the day with some good captures which can be seen below. Hope you all enjoy it..
Road over bridge work near Dodballapur
GTL WDG3A twins take the loop line at Dodballapur
Reflection seen at the start of our 4 hour session at Makalidurga
After capturing the late running Rajdhani Express
We sat next to these tree's for our next catch
Shashank can be seen capturing Prasanthi Express, this loco had a funny honk
Some random shots in between trains - 1
Some random shots in between trains -2
A small flowing water path crossed en-route to the bridge
ALCO twins with Mysore bound Jaipur Express
Light running KJM WDG3A
Some random shots in between trains -3
Santhosh gives a pose while taking a rest under the tree
Some random shots in between trains - 4
Santhosh thinking about something - I was on top of a tree :)
My video partner..
Shot from the tree : Yesvantpur - Indore Express with RTM WDM3D
Well deserved Lunch break to these hard working women
KJM WDP4D with late running Delhi - Yesvantpur Duronto Express
Wide angle shot of KJM WDP4D with late running Delhi - Yesvantpur Duronto Express
