Poor 4503 may be tied down and not going anywhere for some time, but that does not prevent its crew from lavishing a little TLC. The Kolad bound RoRo was stabled at Ratnagiri for 5 hours and maybe even more, giving us an idea what it is to be a truck crew using the KR's RoRo service. 30th April 2009

The interiors of a gutter and a walkway that runs across Chiplun station- the '+' of the cursor marks the spot! The water channel is really deep here and the path barely adequate for a pair of crossing two wheelers. 30th April 2009

Lalam walks the country road leading to the first railway site of the day. The Gad River viaduct is a few kilometers east on this lovely place. 1st May 2009.

A railfan's surrealistic dream.... Southbound RoRo seen on the Gad River viaduct near Aravali Road station, south of Chiplun. 1st May 2009.

Walking under the Gad River viaduct in amazement of the simplicity, function and elegance of the structure. 1st May 2009.

Another look at the columns of Gad River viaduct. 1st May 2009.

The columns are evidently hollow. The water flows from left to right and the high flood level is as much as the window in the picture. 1st May 2009.

A view of the idyllic viaduct, north of Aravali Road station. 1st May 2009.

The first train of the session, this is the northbound 2617 Mangala Express. 1st May 2009.

The locomotive in charge is Ernakulam's WDM3A # 18558. 1st May 2009.

The sedate waters of Gad river are great for reflecting on trains, amongst other things. 1st May 2009.

At this stage, Mangala express has completed only 1000 of its nearly 3000 kilometer journey. 1st May 2009.

Next in line were these Erode WDG3As #14649 and #13145, running light at moderate speeds. 1st May 2009.

The twin locos pose perfectly at the right spot. 1st May 2009.

Another look at the two WDG3As, at the north end of the viaduct. 1st May 2009.

Next in line was the 2051 Mumbai - Madgaon Jan Shatabdi with Erode's WDM3D # 11113. 1st May 2009.

The passengers on the trains would barely notice the scenery. The correct place to savour the dramatic beauty of the Konkan Railways is from the side of the tracks. 1st May 2009.

The 12 coach rake of the 2051 fits fully on the 420 meter long Gad river viaduct. 1st May 2009.

2051's reflection in the Gad river. 1st May 2009.

After the passage of 2051, we went to another location, 25 kilometers south of this place. Lalam climbs from the railway tracks onto the village road at this location. 1st May 2009.

Railfanning session continues! Lalam drops me and goes to the other shore of the Shastri river. 1st May 2009.

Diva bound KR6 passenger arrives from Ratnagiri with Ernakulam's WDM2 # 16673 in charge. 1st May 2009.

A southbound BCN rake crosses the Shastri River bridge. 1st May 2009.

The Shastri river is an inland creek that subjected to tides as well as floods. 1st May 2009.

Heading the BCN is the WDG3A pair #13500 and #13494, most probably homing to Kalyan. 1st May 2009.

Almost at the end of the viaducts, the crew crack open the throttle. 1st May 2009.

View of the Shastri river viaduct looking towards south. Parchuri tunnel (2.63 km long) at the far end, Bhirkond tunnel (1.29 km long) behind us.