Exploration of Chikballapur-Sidlaghatta-Chintamani line

IRFCAins Pawan Koppa, Shishir Jairam and Santosh Kulkarni had been on a trip to the Chikballapur-Sidlaghatta-Chintamani-Kolar line upto Chintamani to cover the gauge conversion of this historic line from NG to BG. This was a NG line which was decommissioned in the 80s. Only a few years back, the railways had sanctioned conversion of this line and progress had been going on at a snail's pace until the last couple of years, when MoS Muniyappa took personal interest in this line which touches his home constituency, Kolar. Priority is being given to this project and the conversion is progressing at a furious pace. We showcase this never-seen and never-covered-before section to IRFCA. Comments welcome!

Here is the Trip Report

Date: 2011-03-31
Owner: Gallery Administrator
Size: 61 items
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A view of the old Station Building in CBP

A view of the rustic Chikballapur station area, which has stood warped in time. (Pawan Koppa)

Date: 2011-01-29
Owner: Pawan Koppa
Views: 747
Comments: 3
CBP-Old rustic settings

The rustic surroundings around the Chikballapur station which has not seen any change over many, many years. (Pawan Koppa)

Date: 2011-01-29
Owner: Pawan Koppa
Views: 683
Comments: 1
The Line towards KQZ which has been halted

The line from Chikballapur towards Kolar does not exist if you look at this picture! However beyond these homes, a few km ahead the new BG allignment resumes. Extension upto the station has not been possible due to political pressures and litigations. (Pa

Date: 2011-01-29
Owner: Pawan Koppa
Views: 771
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The Chikballapur station premises. A single line with a solitary platform and a loop. This is as rustic as it gets. All this will however change when the new alignment to Kolar is connected. The whole station will then undergo a sea change. (Pawan Koppa)

Date: 2011-01-29
Owner: Pawan Koppa
Views: 1001
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A closer look at the Chikballapur station platform. (Pawan Koppa)

Date: 2011-01-29
Owner: Pawan Koppa
Views: 1015
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After the passengers get off, the DMU is shut down, parked and shutters pulled down till it leaves back at 15:55 as the Passenger back to Bangalore. (Pawan Koppa)

Date: 2011-01-29
Owner: Pawan Koppa
Views: 1021
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The morning Passenger from Bangalore at Chikballapur arrives 7 minutes early. It is a DMU and has a fairly good patronage. (Pawan Koppa)

Date: 2011-01-29
Owner: Pawan Koppa
Views: 967
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An exterior view of the Chikballapur station, which has not changed since many, many tens of years. (Pawan Koppa)

Date: 2011-01-29
Owner: Pawan Koppa
Views: 969
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The running room at Chikballapur used for the crew arriving with the late night passenger from Bangalore, who will leave early next day morning back to Bangalore. (Pawan Koppa)

Date: 2011-01-29
Owner: Pawan Koppa
Views: 976
First stretch of the Line towards KQZ

The first views of the new allignment just outside Chikballapur town. A couple of km where the allignment ends is where the Chikballapur station is located. (Pawan Koppa)

Date: 2011-01-29
Owner: Pawan Koppa
Views: 695
Comments: 2
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Another look at the alignment just outside Chikballapur as it extends towards Sidlaghatta. (Pawan Koppa)

Date: 2011-01-29
Owner: Pawan Koppa
Views: 1003
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Anyone can mistake this for a 60 ft wide 4 lane highway. In fact this is the alignment of the BG line after CBP, fit for a double line but will currently hold only a single line. (Santosh Kulkarni)

Date: 2011-01-29
Owner: Pawan Koppa
Views: 609
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A road over bridge being constructed. This passes over the Chikballapur-Chintamani highway. (Pawan Koppa)

Date: 2011-01-29
Owner: Pawan Koppa
Views: 994
Gidnahalli-One of the first stations on the way23

Gidnahalli, the first station after Chikballapur towards Kolar is still in the formative stages. While the platform and the tiny station building is ready, the tracks and other equipment like signaling are still a long, long time away! (Shishir Jairam)

Date: 2011-01-29
Owner: Pawan Koppa
Views: 674
Comments: 1
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Presenting Gidnahalli, once again, BG style! Kids enjoy a thoroughfare ride through the allignement. (Pawan Koppa)

Date: 2011-01-29
Owner: Pawan Koppa
Views: 1014
Comments
(view all 12 comments)
Nice coverage of an interesting spot!
Posted by Trayambak Ojha on 2011 Apr 20 13:20:29 +0100
A fascinating example of old and new gauges side by side. This is rarely seen on IR as the old station buildings soon vanish. A few abandoned stations in ruins can be seen between Villipuram and Puducherry.
Posted by Ajai Banerji on 2011 Apr 18 08:07:35 +0100
The three musketeers from BLR have done a wonderful rail fanning trip to a territory which must have seen the lovely small NG locos and trains in the past and which will see the BG beasts and trains soon. Thanks for sharing the photos and the trip report.
Posted by S. Srinivas on 2011 Apr 13 11:15:44 +0100
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