Giving the 'diamond crossing' right of way to a twin Bhagat Ki Koti WDG3 led BOXN freight outside Phulera. Phulera - March 2005. Bharat Vohra.

Our 2AC coach on the Meenakshi Exp is sandwiched between a plethora of MG and BG freight rakes while the 1906 built station building at Phulera provides the backdrop. Phulera - March 2005. Bharat Vohra.

The entrance to the workshops at Ajmer. Note the dual gauge track and freight stock from both gauges parked alongside. Ajmer - March 2005. Bharat Vohra.

Possibly India's newest locomotive shed - Mhow's YDM4 6372 marshalls the workshop stock at Ajmer. Ajmer - March 2005. Bharat Vohra.

Negotiating a part of the magnificent horse shoe curve into Ajmer. The Taragarh Hill - a part of the Aravali range can be seen in the background. Ajmer - March 2005. Bharat Vohra.

Taking the curve into the Cantonment town of Nasirabad - homebase of IRFCAn Vicky. Nasirabad - March 2005. Bharat Vohra.

Neemuch Suprise! Long condemmed YG's 4379 & 3509 stand alongwith another one of their breed (not seen in pic) at Neemuch steam shed. Sorry for the poor picture quality - was taken in almost no light and to make matters worse I accidentally opened the reel cover (resulting in the orange tint) while changing batteries!. Neemuch - March 2005. Bharat Vohra.

Crossing at Choral after having descended the steep ghat section south of Mhow. Choral - March 2005. Bharat Vohra.

The golden glow from the rising sun makes for an ideal setting as we tackle the last of the ghat section south of Mhow. Mhow - Khandwa section - March 2005.

Crossing the Narmada River. Mhow - Khandwa section - March 2005. Bharat Vohra.

YDM4 6239 at the head of our 11 coach train at Ajanti - waiting for a crossing with a freight which never did show up. Mohan takes a peek out of the cab!. Ajanti - March 2005. Bharat Vohra.

The rails on the loop line at Ajanti date back to 1896. Manufactured by Barron Steel of England for the Rajputana Malwa Railway. Ajanti - March 2005. Bharat Vohra.

The endless wait for 'line clear' at Khandwa. Note how as a result of the derailment ahead, all 5 tracks at Khandwa were occupied!. Khandwa - March 2005. Bharat Vohra.

A Sharp curve on the ghat section south of Khandwa seems to have taken its toll on this YDM4 and 2 coaches which lie capsized on the side of the track. Khandwa - Akola section - March 2005. Bharat Vohra.

Typical forest enroute from Khandwa to Akola. Khandwa - Akola section - March 2005. Bharat Vohra.

Approaching the Tapti river bridge. Khandwa - Akola section - March 2005. Bharat Vohra.

Crossing our pairing train at Dhulghat. The Meenakshi was crossed twice - first at Phulera on day 1 of our journey and now here on day 2. Dhulghat - March 2005. Bharat Vohra.

Going over and looping ourselves in the process. Khandwa - Akola section - March 2005. Bharat Vohra.

Going under the 'loop'. Khandwa - Akola section - March 2005. Bharat Vohra.

35 Ton Steam Crane at Akola aptly named 'Tapti' This was 1 of 2 steam cranes that we spotted there. Akola - March 2005. Bharat Vohra.

The remains of Akola's MG steam shed. Akola - March 2005. Bharat Vohra.

Climbing the grade out of Akola to cross the Bhusawal - Nagpur BG mainline. Akola - March 2005. Bharat Vohra.

The Senior Railway Institute at Manmad. Manmad - March 2005. Bharat Vohra.

The old MG steam trip shed at Manmad. The erstwhile MG (now BG) alignment of the SCR towards Ankai Quila and beyond to Purna can be seen behind the shed. Manmad - March 2005. Bharat Vohra.

GIPR engraving at Manmad Jn. Manmad - March 2005. Bharat Vohra.

A tribute to Pune's WDM3A 17897R which hauled our Goa Express non-stop from Manmad to Bhusawal at a blistering average speed of over 85 kmh. I don't recall as good a run on IR for many years now. Bhusawal - March 2005. Bharat Vohra.

Loco line up at Manmad - Gooty's WDM3A, Kalyan's WCAM3 and Gaziabad's WAP1 represent 3 distinct parts of the country (south, west and north) and also 3 distinct forms of motive power (diesel, dual voltage electric, ac electric). Manmad - March 2005. Bharat Vohra.