Indian Train Spotter: 2017

Kolkata2Kutch Roadtrip: Another WAG-7 near Angul

A little further, we caught another WAG-7 awaiting a signal and we were in a decent spot on the Highway to capture this one.

Kolkata2Kutch Roadtrip: WAG-7 Double Header near Angul

As we crossed Angul (Odisha) it seemed like a Trainspotting paradise. Most of the consists were Double Headers with WAG Locos. I did see a WAP-7 blasting past with a Duronto Express, but it was too fast for me to even reach for my camera.

The choice was to keep driving, as Kolkata was still quite a distance away or stopping to indulge myself with the plethora of loco sightings.I did stop for this one as as it was awaiting a signal and was relatively easy capture.

Kolkata2Kutch Roadtrip: Chasing the WDM-3D Double Headers

We came up to a little bit of of traffic jam and I realised that we were at a Railway Crossing. I quickly jumped out of the car and as I heard the Loud horn of the approaching train I dashed to the crossing about 10 cars ahead and managed to get a quick capture at a Railway Crossing as this Double Heading consist blasted past.

But I also realised that we would cross this train as we drove on the highway past the crossing. Sure enough after a while I noticed the train on our left as the Railway line weaved through this amazing hilly terrain. Finally I did manage to capture the locos with the beautiful scenery in the background.

Kolkata2Kutch Roadtrip: WDG-4 Double Heading over the Mahanadi River at Sambalpur

As we crossed were crossing the Mahanadi River on Burla Bridge (Mumbai-Kolkata Highway) just before Sambalpur after visiting the awesome Hirakud Dam, I heard the loud horn of the approaching train. I quickly pulled over and as the train approached managed to capture these pictures of the Double Header WDG-4 Locomotives pulling a long consist of wagons carrying coal. The reason for the Double Heading is the Hilly terrain in the regain.

In the background I also managed to capture the crane working on the new Truss & Girder railway bridge.

Kolkata2Kutch Roadtrip: Talala Junction and my first Metre Gauge Spotting

I had been seeing the Meter Gauge Railway Tracks all around these parts of Gujarat around Junagadh and south of it. So imagine my surprise when I actually heard Train Horns from my Hotel Room in Gir and when I inquired about the trains, was told that the meter gauge line was still in operation.

So I drove down to the Talala Junction (Railway Station) and as I approached I feel in love with the old world charm of the station building. On walking in and around the station, I just fell more in love.

I managed click quite a few pics and a video of the signalling in operation in preparation for the incoming train. But then as i prepared to take a video of the train as I heard the horn and it was about to appear from behind the curve, one of the Railway station staff intervened and stopped me from indulging in any of it. Same old Indian Bureaucratic humbug.

I walked down to the end of the platform and managed to click some pics of the Train and Locomotive. This was the first time I was seeing a Meter Gauge Locomotive.

Watch the Video of the Signalling

Kolkata2Kutch Roadtrip: Yes I got the other WDG-4 Loco too

So here's the Loco that was coming from the other side, blasting through the Railway Crossing blowing its horn. I managed to get a quick shot.

As you can see, there's a Bridge being constructed to go over this crossing, so I'm going to miss waiting at these old world Crossings where the Boom Barrier comes down and cars have to wait on either side.

But imagine after we crossed over and were driving down the amazing 6 lane highway, I spotted the train up ahead on the left, and then as we were approaching it, I noticed it had a Red Signal ahead. So I pulled over to the side and waited for it to stop and got a couple more shots of this Locomotive.

Kolkata2Kutch Roadtrip: My First Sighting of the WDG-4D Diesel Locomotive

This was a railway crossing I enjoyed, as I saw the navy blue and bright yellow locomotive coming around the curve. It was an awesome sight as the loco blew its loud pressure horn. Then what happened was truly amazing as I though the echo was carrying behind me, but as I turned around coming towards the crossing from the other side was another train, and it was approaching really fast.

My predicament at the time was which one to click, so I concentrated on this one as it was the first time I was seeing a WDG-4D Diesel Locomotive.

This was on the way from Devpur to Gondal, probably a somewhere near Rajkot.

Kolkata2Kutch Roadtrip: Blue Goods Wagons being pulled by a Blue WAG-7

This was one signal I was hoping we wouldn't be long at as we were hoping to get to Datia before sunset to see the beautiful palaces we had heard about from our Guide at Orchha. But as I watched the Loco approaching in the distance I noticed it was a the longest goods train ever. But it approched at quite a speed and crossed over thanks to the amazing power of the WAG-7 Electric Locomotive that was pulling it.

Kolkata2Kutch Roadtrip: Orchha Railway Station Crossing

Imagine my excitement of finally being in a traffic pile up and then noticing it's a Railway Crossing 10 cars ahead. So I switched off the car and made a quick dash to the crossing. When I got there, I noticed on the left was Orchha Railway Station and standing there was a Passenger Train with a beautiful WDG-4 Diesel Locomotive. It's not uncommon in these kind of terrain to find WDGs & WDMs pulling passenger trains.

So while a got a couple of shots, I realised by the signals that this train was not going to move as it was waiting for a clear line; there was a train going to be arriving from the opposite direction. Oh the sheer excitement of capturing two Locos in one stop.

Sure enough, a a couple of minutes came blasting a Blue WDM-3 Diesel Locomotive pulling a passenger train.

The Moment I was waiting for; to capture boto locomotives in one frame as one crosses the other.

Finally after a couple of loud blasts of it's horn, this loco revved up and pulled out of the station.

Finally as it pulled away, I headed back to the car.

Kolkata2Kutch Roadtrip: WAG-5 Double Header spotted between Lucknow & Orchha

One of the things I look out for when I'm on a Road Trip is to indulge in some Trainspotting among other things. So when I spotted this Goods Train on the side of the highway which had stopped for a signal, I just had to stop too and click some pics.

I hope to spot many more Locos. The best place is at Railway Crossings, but those seem to be in the past with bridges over the Railway Tracks in most places on the Main Highways now.