In order to explore a diesel paradise dominated by Bondamunda and Visakhapatnam diesels in the state of Orissa, we discovered some very picturesque locations near Sambalpur and then travelled upto Koraput to experience the famous Rayagada - Koraput section. An album by Ujjawal Kashyap and Ankit Bharaj.
The day starts with a bang!! Tiny rake of Sambalpur-Jharsuguda morning shuttle enters Sambalpur Rd station with the power of BNDM WDM-3A # 16299R, Twin BNDM WDG-3A's were also waiting to move towards Titlagarh with an overloaded coal rake. Notice ...
BNDM WDM-3A # 12699 coasted to a halt to pick Jharsuguda bound passengers from Sambalpur Road station, also known as the "Fatak Station" by the locals. (Ankit Bharaj)
12585 Howrah-Sambalpur Oddisi Express inches towards its final destination with a LHF-running BNDM WDM-3A in lead (Ujjawal Kashyap)
Two guys inspected a mangy looking VSKP WDM-3A # 14044 at pf 1A of Sambalpur Jn while a dog searched for breakfastin the trolley, but in vain!! (Ankit Bharaj)
VSKP Baldie stands tall at Sambalpur Junction, later it took charge of Bhubaneshwar-Balangir Intercity Express from SBP, Ankit Bharaj can also be seen busy with his mobile ;-) (Ujjawal Kashyap)
As we trekked towards Hirakud station, Howrah bound Ispat Express headed by an orange BNDM WDM-3A # 16439R greeted us near the home signal of Sambalpur Jn. (Ankit Bharaj)
Vedanta owned BTAP Alumina rake climbs the gradient near Mahanadi Bridge with the power of dual Bondamunda WDG-3A Shakti at its helm (Ujjawal Kashyap)
BTAP rake owned by Vedanta Aluminium Ltd was headed back to the refinery situated at Lanjigarh. The rake is used to carry Alumina from Lanjigarh refinery to the smelter pot-line at Jharsuguda. (Ankit Bharaj)
The LP decided to notch-up on the Mahanadi bridge!! (Ankit Bharaj)
Howrah - Koraput Samaleshwari Express continued its journey after Sambalpur with the load being reduced to 10 coaches only since the Howrah - Sambalpur portion is cut at Sambalpur Jn!! (Ankit Bharaj)
SER's Karagpur based WDM-3A # 16133R went past at a moderate pace with Samaleshwari Express as it apporached the Mahanadi bridge. (Ankit Bharaj)
The charm of a rail-cum-road bridge. A group of birds watching the bus speedily overtaking the BNDM WDG-3A pair hauling loaded BCNA rake towards Balangir (Ujjawal Kashyap)
A long BCNA rake spanned the Mahanadi bridge on its way to Titlagarh with the customary Boundamunda WDG-3A pair!! BNDM and VSKP WDG-3A dominate the freight traffic in this past of the country!! (Ankit Bharaj)
Bhubaneshwar-Balangir Intercity Express rounds the huge curve before entering Mahanadi bridge with a VSKP WDM-3A # 14044 in charge (Ujjawal Kashyap)
After having a sumptuous meal, more than an hour had elapsed before we saw any train!! The first one to turn up was Jharsuguda - Titlagarh Passenger with LHF running BNDM WDM-3A # 16298R!! One can see the train has already entered the Mahanadi Bridge. (An