The last trip on the Kollam-Sengottai line

The historic Metre gauge line from Kollam (Quilon) Junction to Sengottai (Schencottah) became extinct on 2007-04-30, after an illustrious life of 103 years. The section between Kollam Jn and Punalur is to be converted to Broad Gauge. No final verdict has come on the Punalur-Sengottai stretch, which is trying for a World Heritage Railway status. The scenery along this line is so enchanting it is often referred to as "Queen of Indian Metre Gauge lines". This is indeed the last fully documented trip on this unique line.
Please refer this report on history of this line

Date: 2007-04-20
Owner: Gallery Administrator
Size: 141 items
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Approach the lion when sleeping... Winds of change at Kollam (Sriram B)

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YDM4 6312 with her big sister (Sriram B)

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YDM4 6312 backing up to take charge of QLN-TSI express

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Surprise.. While we were busy exploring QLN, Netravati to LTT came with the strangest of locos - GOC WDM 2 18329 "0". This loco is supposed to be an inferior one but is used on Netravati! This was the best shot possible (Sriram B)

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The twin WAG5s woke up and showed us what is "fast"... (Sriram B)

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The biggest competition for this cute little metal snake... goes over her... (Sriram B)

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Venu sir (far off) and Vibin (from the emergency window) pose for a nice snap (Sriram B)

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Punalur Switching cabin... And a historic building with a water tank atop (Sriram B)

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Men who toil day in and day out to keep this line alive (Sriram B)

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Coming out of one of the five tunnels enroute. (Sriram B)

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Magical view from the Sengottai Station (Sriram B)

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It says 30, but the new regulations limit speed to just 10 (Vibin Andrews)

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No wonder they call us "RAIL NUTS" (Vibin Andrews)

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The NH 208 and railway line run next to another from Kollam to Aryankavu. They even kiss each other at places! (Vibin Andrews)

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Thats all that make up of a station deep inside the jungles. Edappalayam. (Vibin Andrews)

Comments
Excellent album guys. Thanks a lot for the treat!!
Posted by Siddhartha Ganesh on 2007 May 11 18:48:53 +0100
Excellent photos Jimmy...I regret not being able to come!
Posted by Sriram P on 2007 May 08 04:32:03 +0100