Since the WDSs invariably have railway men ride the catwalk, getting in and out of the loco while shunting, I guess the extra railing helps them. Provides them more secure poles to hold on to. Re: Apu's thought - is it a prelude to how IR will designate locos in the future ? – since the W will be redundant with project uni-gauge.

So, this loco is driven on the left?
Why do they do it for Sri Lankan Railways but not IR?

Just which camera do you use? Your pics have always been a treat! The greenery is pronounced and syncs well with the railway.

One rarely comes across stations built against natural rock formations. This is a good pic. Worth Showcase.

Is this on the Gopalapatnam side?

The classification is not partly painted, but has faded due to some greasy substance on it. I agree with Apurva that many shunters have additional railings. I have seen them at the Vizag port with these railings.

there a lot of wdm3a transfers happening to kjm from gooty espicially.this was perhaps previously a gooty loco(notice the division marking right under the drivers window which has been painted over).this is the DCW colour which will be painted to kjm colour probably after a year. kjm is also written in hindi on the cabin.

not a baldie.it had a flat control stand as in the wdm2c/3a's.if you notice all the loco's having the flat control stand(with a steering wheel for notches),have the drivers window on the opposite side to that of a loco with vertical control stand.

Good to see all SBC authors with Samar too.

Was this loco a baldie ? The cab layout is reversed (driver's window on the left) - what sort of control stand did it have ?