Footloose at Daundaj

The tiny station continues to haunt.
The rolling grassy hills, the misty rain, the warm patches of sunlight, the seductive gusts of wind, the nodding wildflower patches, the neat farm lands, the bubbling brooks, the muddy paths, the stone lined wells, the twitter of birds, and yes, there is a railway line too.
As I close my eyes, I cannot think beyond this paradise on earth…
Pics from our earlier trip to DNJ.

Date: 2006-08-17
Owner: Gallery Administrator
Size: 40 items
Trackmaint_DNJloop_15aug2006

We climb a small hill conveniently overlooking the DDJ loop and battle gusty winds with sheets of cold rain. Here permanent way workers haul away worn rails from the side of the tracks to a somewhat safer location next to a nearby level crossing. We spent

UBL12072_DNJloop_15aug2006

Disappointed by the lack of trains during this period, we descend on the road seen in the picture, only to scurry back on the double on hearing the throaty horn of an approaching train. This is the beginning of the sequence showing the dramatic DDJ loop i

UBL12072A_DNJloop_15aug2006

The BCN is hauled by the WDG 4 # 12072. Daundaj, 2006-08-15.

UBL12072B_DNJloop_15aug2006

Ashish and I climb on different parts of the same hill and have slightly different perspectives to the same event. Daundaj, 2006-08-15.

UBL12072C_DNJloop_15aug2006

Using a photo-editing software, I have highlighted the Pune end yellow station board of the Daundaj station in this picture. The board can be seen as a lemon yellow dot vertically above the loco’s cab, at the base of the mountains in the background. Tha

UBL12072D_DNJloop_15aug2006

More progress, more familiar sites – the weathered top of the flat hillock from the last Daundaj trip can be seen on the right. The whole loop can be spotted by following the white concrete sleeper that are lying by the side of the track. Daundaj, 2006-

UBL12072E_DNJloop_15aug2006

Enjoy… Daundaj, 2006-08-15.

UBL12072F_DNJloop_15aug2006

The loco opens up notches to pull the rake through the Daundaj loop. 2006-08-15.

UBL12072G_DNJloop_15aug2006

Miracle of an ample monsoon. Daundaj, 2006-08-15.

UBL12072H_DNJloop_15aug2006

The capable loco visibly accelerating the long BCN rake out of the loop. Daundaj, 2006-08-15.

UBL12072I_DNJloop_15aug2006

Daundaj beckons….2006-08-15.

UBL12072K_DNJloop_15aug2006

Almost at the end of the loop – the train would still turn an additional 90 degrees to the left at this stage to enter the station yard area. Daundaj, 2006-08-15.

UBL12072J_DNJloop_15aug2006

A telephoto of the train leaving the station – the yellow station board and the signal hut at the Pune end can be seen in this pic. The entire sequence of the WDG 4 & BCN was shot from the same spot without moving. Daundaj, 2006-08-15.

Magic_of_DNJ_15aug2006

Magic of Daundaj… 2006-08-15

MG_alignment_DNJ_15aug2006

The old MG alignment cuts across the convoluted BG loop like a chord of an arc. The BG track can be seen in the background in the cutting. Daundaj, 2006-08-15.

Comments
Dear Appu, a super set of pics. Thanks a lot for sharing them !!
Posted by Jimmy Jose on 2006 Aug 17 23:01:42 +0100
What a fantastic album! Kudos!!
Posted by Gautam on 2006 Aug 17 04:43:48 +0100