The 2124 Up Deccan Queen that we were traveling on overtook this flock of triple MUed WCG 2s at Khandala. They now arrive at Monkey Hill once the Deccan Queen has departed for Thakurwadi. Monkey Hill, 2004-02-14. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

The leading WCG 2 loco # 20122 leads the other two into the Monkey Hill yard area. Monkey Hill, 2004-02-14. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

The three WCG 2 scream by into the halting position at Monkey Hill. Unofficial passengers often sit on the buffer beams of the bankers - there is no other stopping transport in the Bhor ghats. The just departed Deccan Queen is visible in the distance branching on the Up middle line towards Thakurwadi. Monkey Hill, 2004-02-14. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

The Pune bound 2027 Down Shatabdi being wrested from the mid line onto the third line by the brute power of the leading WCAM 3 and the twin WCG 2 bankers at Monkey Hill. Monkey Hill, 2004-02-14. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

John Mani (left) and Ashish Kuvelkar (right) watch the tiny rake of the 2027 depart MHC at full speed. Just to show you how beautiful and peaceful this place is. Monkey Hill, 2004-02-14. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

A pic from our last visit to the MHC with John Lacey, these are the triple WCG-2 banking the 1007 Deccan Express. Monkey Hill, 2003-12-13. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

WCAM-3 #21885 leads the Mumbai bound 1026 Pragati Express out of tunnel 24. Monkey Hill, 2004-02-14. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

WCAM-3 #21939 hauls the 7032 Hyderabad - Mumbai express between Khandala and Monkey Hill. The line on the left is the down line that is curving to dissapear into the longest tunnel of the Bhore ghats, the 25C. Monkey Hill, 2004-02-14. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

Headlamps blazing, the WCAM-3 pulls the 6012 Chennai - Mumbai express from tunnel #25 (tunnel #2 in this map) in the Bhore ghats using the middle line. Note the red flag on the up line - this track was blocked for maintenance till 1400 hrs. Monkey Hill, 2004-02-14. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

A pair of WCG-2 bankers travel light towards Karjat to push yet another load up the grade. Near tunnel 24 in the Bhore ghats, 2004-14-02. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

Visible in the pic are from left to right- rail nuts Kesari, Ashish and John. The traction substation near the tunnel #24 (tunnel #3 in this map) is on the right. The Mumbai - Pune road crosses the tracks just ahead. Near tunnel 24 in the Bhore ghats, 2004-14-02. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

A works train consisting of one WCG-2 in the lead, one flat car and two WCG-2s in the rear works on the line that was blocked for maintenance. This is a typical works train with locos on both sides of the 'load', so the train can work in both directions around the work site. Near tunnel 25 in the Bhore ghats, 2004-14-02. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

A view of the leading WCG-2 and the BFR disappearing in the tunnel #25 (tunnel #2 in this map). The trailing WCG-2 follows. Near tunnel 25 in the Bhore ghats, 2004-14-02. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

As there is a 'load' that is being hauled, this is a 'train' by definition - hence the trailing loco carries the "LV" sign on it. John and Ashish pause their breakfast !. Near tunnel 25 in the Bhore ghats, 2004-14-02. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

Triple WCG-2s arrive on the mid line - note the service tunnel that leads to the tunnel #25C on the left. Tunnel #25C is hidden in the mountain on the left. Near tunnel #25 in the Bhore ghats, 2004-14-02. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

The abandoned cabin near the tunnel 24. This must have controlled the various catch sidings visible near tunnel #24(tunnel #3 in this map and, in the lower half of this photo.) Near tunnel 24 in the Bhore ghats, 2004-14-02. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

View of the service tunnel leading into the longest tunnel on the Bhore ghats, the #25C. The service tunnel is located at the Khandala end of tunnel #25 (tunnel #2 in this map) on the main line. Note the two rails on the floor that serve as return path for the traction current from the interior of the tunnel #25C – Also note the flexible wires and the bonding strips used to connect the return current carrying rails to the mid line. Near tunnel #25 in the Bhore ghats, 2004-02-14. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

Kesari Sharma explores the interiors of the service tunnel. The orange pipes are protection for the OFC (optical fibre cable) that are being laid along the railway lines. One of the vandalized Sodium vapour lamp can be seen on the left of Kesari’s head. The igniter in the next broken lamp was trying to light a nonexistent lamp, producing dramatic sparks that could be seen and heard from the mouth of this tunnel. Near tunnel 25 in the Bhore ghats, 2004-02-14. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

View of the ventilation shaft bored vertically through the roof the tunnel 25C. The OHE conductor can be seen as well as well as the grill on the mouth of the shaft some sixty feet above, the diameter of the shaft would be about 4 feet. (Pic may be deleted from the IRFCA server due to poor quality). Inside tunnel 25C of the Bhore ghats, 2004-02-14. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

We had to run out of the tunnel 25C and take refuge in the service tunnel to avoid being on the same track as this train. Visible in the pic is John, the green IBS (?) signal – this remained green for a long time after the train had crossed this location and then turned orange much later) and the red markers of the WCG 2 bankers. On the top right is a Sodium vapour light that are used to illuminate the interiors of the tunnel. (Pic may be deleted from the IRFCA server due to poor quality). Inside tunnel 25C of the Bhore ghats, 2004-02-14. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

Some of the IRFCA Pune chapter gang attempt to clean the marble plaque on the portals of the tunnel #26. (tunnel #1 in this map) Khandala end of Tunnel 26, 2004-02-14. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

John and Kesari collect the dripping water in plastic cups discarded by the passing trains for cleaning the marble plaque. Note the old tunnel number 26 tunnel #1 in this map) and the newer 51 mid/up (i.e. carrying middle and the up line). The longest tunnel 25C ends on the right of this location that is almost at the Khandala station. Khandala end of Tunnel 26, 2004-02-14. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

The plaque after cleaning. It says: "Tunnel Nos. 26 & 25 With adjoining formations etc. For the Bhore Ghat Alignment eliminating the reversing station Carried out in 1926-28 At a cost of about Rs. 44.6 Lacs by The Tata Construction Co. Ltd.\". Khandala end of Tunnel 26, 2004-02-14. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

Kalyan WDS-6 #36007 hauls a dead DETC from Khandala towards tunnel 26. Khandala end of Tunnel 26, 2004-02-14. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

The view of the DETC (diesel electric tower car – the panto is only for alignment and observation of the ride of the device at speed) as it disappears in the unlit depths of the tunnel 26. Khandala end of Tunnel 26, 2004-02-14. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

WCG-2 banker #20126 starts the crawl down the ghat from the brake testing halt at Khandala station. After Khandala station, 2004-02-14. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).

WCG-2 #20126 leads WCG-2 #20114 towards tunnel 26. The lady passenger rides on the buffer beam. The hillocks in front have the three catch sidings for Khandala. After Khandala station, 2004-02-14. By Apurva (iti@vsnl.com).