Gooty WDM 3A baldie # 14022 shows off before starting the 2780 Up Goa Express on the last leg towards Vasco. This loco has a turbocharger with a deafening metallic scream that can be heard way back in the train. Madgaon, 2004-11-13. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

Erode WDM 3A baldie # 14051 starts the LTT bound 6346 Up Netravati Express. The structure in the background is the one odd km long test track for the KR’s Skybus. Madgaon, 2004-11-13. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

Pune’s WDM 3A # 18576R brings the 0111 Dn. Konkan Kanya Express into the Pernem pf 2 after travelling through the long Pernem tunnel in the mountain in the background. Pernem, 2004-11-13. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

MUed WDG 3As from Kalyan haul the northbound Up RoRo (Roll On – Roll Off) rake spotted at Surawali. This is good news – till last year the RoRo’s run was curtailed at Verna, which seems now to be extended to the original destination – Surathkal. Surawali, 2004-11-18. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

Notice the window size difference between the new style (WDG4 inspired) leading WDG 3A and the trailing older WDG 3A powering the RoRo rake. Surawali, 2004-11-18. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

Kalyan shed seems to have recently got a batch of older (but freshly painted) WDG 3As (most are baldies) from some other shed (Katni perhaps ?). Here is # 14567 moving towards Verna from Majorda Jn. Near Majorda, 2004-11-18. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

Golden Rock’s unknown WDP 3A hauls the northbound 2431 Up Rajdhani Express near the Sal River bridge at Mungul between Madgaon and Surawali. Near Surawali, 2004-11-17. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

The extra cautious KR crew test the Pune shed WDM 3A # 17924R at 1400 hrs. This loco is meant to haul the 0112 Up Konkan Kanya Express to Mumbai, which is due to depart at only 1800 hrs. The crew told me that an early checking ensures a tension free start for the long hauler later in the evening. Madgaon, 2004-11-19. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

Gooty’s WDM 3A baldie # 14023 leads the 2779 Dn. Goa Express from the extreme end loop line at Majorda Jn. onto the main line. The ‘super’ had to suffer the ignominy of having put in the loop line for a long time, so that the late running KR 1 Verna – Mangalore passenger could go first. Majorda Jn., 2004-11-17. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

Gooty’s baldie # 14023 seen the next day hauling the same train ! This is the 2779 Dn. Goa Express approaching Majorda Jn. Near Majorda, 2004-11-18. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

KR’s “Raksha Kavach” (Security Shield) – this is a GPS operated unmanned level crossing warning mast. The power to operate this facility is generated by the photovoltaic panels that charge maintenance free batteries. The black units are LED lamp array that flash when a train is nearby along with sounding of a loud hooter – all triggered by the loco’s ACD (anti-collision device) unit which is a GPS based trans-receiver. Not only the locos on the KR have a GPS system, the SLR has the GPS too – this is meant for the guard. The yellow text on the box says “ACD – Raksha Kavach\". Near Majorda, 2004-11-18. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

Erode’s WDM 2 # 18371 hauls the KR 2 Up Mangalore – Verna passenger to the journey’s end at Verna. The same rake with the same loco would retrace their steps in some 20 minutes time as the hugely popular KR 1 Dn. Verna – Mangalore passenger. While the track on which the train is travelling is the KR’s northbound line towards Mumbai, the track on the right of the picture is the SWR’s line towards Vasco. This location is around 1.5 Kms west of Majorda Jn. The tiny station of Majorda controls the points and signals that regulate the movement of trains over these branches and that is why it is a “Junction”. Near Majorda, 2004-11-18. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

Erode shed’s WDM 3A baldie # 14055 hauls in the 2051 Dn. Jan Shatabdi from the Verna branch at tremendous speeds. This loco is the earlier day’s Netravati Express power – KR is run totally on borrowed locos !. Near Majorda, 2004-11-18. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

The 373 Up Kulem – Vasco passenger is hauled by the Pune shed’s WDM 2 # 17836 on the Vasco branch. This is a new trend – till last year, the Gooty WDM 3A baldies worked the passenger services between Vasco and Kulem, while this year these trains were spotted with WDM 2s from Kazipet and Pune sheds. Near Majorda, 2004-11-18. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).