As India hastily moves towards Gauge conversion this small meter gauge section between Purnia Jn to Banmankhi owards Bihariganj is a lifeline for the locals and people use it extensively for their daily travel. This never before covered section is captured through the lenses of Trayambak Ojha, Sriskandh Subramanian and Akshay Subramanian who chased almost every train under daylight in a Car at every vantage points.
Just as we thought he crowd would reduce to our selight and surprise the train was reloaded with daredevils all over at Krityanand Nagar and the aggression on the YDM4 was clearly visible (Trayambak Ojha)
The monsoons had surely flooded the region as seen in this water mass on the fields while the MG train goes at a cautioned speed (Trayambak Ojha)
The YDM4 and its rake is reflected in this Canal overflowing above its safe mark through Sarsi enroute (Trayambak Ojha)
Chasing the train we finally arrive at Banmankhi the train was stacked to the brim yet again with all sorts of wares and cycles specially as the semaphores bow down in awe (Trayambak Ojha)
The train towards Bihariganj enters Banmankhi junction which was typical crowded station surrounded with greenery and low platforms (Trayambak Ojha)
A picture of the bygone era. Multiple defunct YMD4s belonging to Siliguri, Narkatiaganj and Izzatnagar were lying in their graveyard. The steam remnants can been in in the distant along with condemned MG rakes (Trayambak Ojha)
Moving to the other end of the platform we see a service from Bihariganj entering into Banmankhi and just before it could enter the platform the usual chain pullng process ensues people getting down from the train all around with their wares (Trayambak Oj
And there were some waanbe heroes as well who were flaunting poses while the vendors were still moving as soon as the train started moving again to enter the platform (Trayambak Ojha)
A brilliantly bright sky blue painted NArkatiaganj YDM4 lies stationery in the Banmankhi yard (Trayambak Ojha)
A humble umbrealla repairer seamlessly does his chores while the YDM4 in the background prepares itself to launch from Banmankhi towards Bihariganj (Trayambak Ojha)
In another part of the platform people making wares from canes and bamboos are unperturbed by the honking YDM4 ready to depart from Banmankhi (Trayambak Ojha)
As the train starts for Bihariganj the public is still loading and unloading their stuff hanging from the doors and wherever possible (Trayambak Ojha)
The Diesel trip shed at Banmankhi seemed very isolated
The next service from Banmankhi to Purnia Jn approaches the first LC en-route with semaphores allowing the train to pass
As the sun sets into dusk the semaphores also bow down to receive the last meter gauge service from Bihariganj to Banmankhi (Trayambak Ojha)