Just in Time - Late running Rajdhani & Duronto at Makali

                  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

Video :

 Suggestions and comments are most welcome.. :)

A Bumper Catch and the Golden Chariot

28^th December 2014

It was a run for the money last time to capture Golden Chariot at Malleswaram. So it was decided to leave early next Monday to capture the return run of Golden Chariot. I will share about this story soon.

4^th Jan 2014

The plan was to go to Nidvanda by taking Bangalore – Hubli / Chitradrga Passenger.  Nikhil had bought tickets for me from Bangalore which meant that I had to just go to Malleswaram and board the train. The train arrived at 07:55 with Krishnarajapuram Alco in the lead, I boarded the second coach from the loco where my friend had reserved a seat for me. As soon as I boarded Mysore bound Golgumbaz led UBL WDP4B screamed past. We departed as the other train was passing. We were given a caution at Yesvantpur home which meant that we need to wait to enter Yesvantpur. At Yesvantpur, there was loco mela starting from Erode to Mugalsarai ( MGS ). Yes, Mugalsarai WDM3A was seen next to the rake of Tatanagar Yesvantpur. It was totally confusing for us as to which train would get it as we stopped for a scheduled halt at Yesvantpur. We soon departed and crossed a Chocolate WAG5 belonging to Vijaywada with Tatanagar rake. As we further moved towards the Yesvantpur yard, I wished not to see a loco with Yesvantpur  Barmer AC Express rake and the wish was granted. The next thing that came to our mind was seeing that special visitor MGS WDM3A with AC Express. We had an amazing run to Nidavanda behind KJM 16586, crossed 3 trains in the process. We reached Nidavanda at 08:55, WDM3A accelerated out in a typical ALCO style. We walked a km ahead and settled down there to catch the trains which had planned to. Shimoga – Bangalore Passenger and Bangalore – Tumkur Passenger were the first 2 trains. Time was almost 10:35 and there were still no signs of golden chariot. At exactly 10:40, the gates closed and the signal turned proceed towards Bangalore side. The Golden Chariot arrived in style led by beautiful looking ED WDG3A, the same loco that took out the Golden Chariot on 28^th December. The mission of the trip was done and we were waiting for the bonus with 50 – 50 option in mind. We had informed 2 other railfans to check the link of the AC express but to our bad luck, both of them missed it. Time was around 11:00, the gates closed and the signal towards Bangalore was cleared, Shimoga Intercity passed by with a WDP4 in the lead. 5 minutes later, gates closed again and it was a small prayer before the train sound was heard. A classic ALCO honk was heard which meant that my prayers were answered and soon dust were thrown at the Level crossing. The ALCO from MGS curved in beautiful and it was like a mass hero entry from the movies. The Classic Rajdhani ICF rake with few mismatch coaches flashed past us and soon it curved out of sight.  We then decided to head back to station to board our return train back home. The train was Tumkur – Bangalore Passenger, it arrived at 11:50 and dropped me at Malleswaram by 12:55 thus ending a short lucky trip. Pictures from the trip can be seen below

                    Bangalore - Hubli / Chitradurga Passenger led by KJM WDM3A arrives at Malleswaram

                                            The Surprise at Yesvantpur, Mughalsarai WDM3A

                                                                                Erode WAP4 at Yesvantpur

                                        The Yesvantpur - barmer AC gets ready, a red hot ET WAP4 seen next to it

                 Erode WDM3D with Kannur - Yesvantpur Express waits for clearance to enter Yesvantpur

                  KJM WDG4 with Arsikere - Bangalore passenger departs from Bairanayakanahalli

                                   KJM WDP4 with Tumkur - Bangalore fast passenger near Dodbele 

                                             KJM WDM3A accelerates from Nidavanda after dropping us

                     The first train at Nidvanda - Shimoga - Bangalore Passenger led by KJM WDP4

 

The next train, Bangalore Tumkur Passenger led by KJM WDP4

       The Golden Chariot led by ED WDG3A

               Shimoga - Bangalore Intercity Express led by KJM WDP4

 

      A dry tree

        MGS WDM3A with Yesvantpur - Barmer Express

                                KJM WDG4 arrives with Tumkur - Bangalore Passenger, our return journey back

                                                            KJM WDG4 starts to accelerate out of Nidvanda 

    One more surprise, ET WDM3A twins with Yesvantpur -Secunderabad Suvidha special and a DEMU rake

                                              KZJ ALCO, KJM EMD and the Golden Chariot at Yesvantpur

                       Powerful line up of locos at Yesvantpur - KJM WDP4D, LGD WAP7 & ED WAP4

Hope you all liked it.....