Four images, two states. The first train has undergone radical transformation. Just a few months ago, it used to run mostly empty and one could easily get a window seat[it's a local unreserved train]. Last week I traveled, I was fortunate enough to get a place to stand. All this changed because it's terminal station Ayodhya got a fancy new temple and lots of people flocking to see it. The front view of Jasidih station has projected a trident in front of it. But since it isn't a part of the inherent architecture of the core building, it feels like something is missing. It misses the grandeur of the stations of Bombay or Calcutta or Lucknow.
Do you believe this will be just a temporary phase? Or will or will ridership remain at an increased level?
The temple site has been the center of a political firestorm for three decades now and is/was three of the main calling points in the manifesto of the national ruling party. So, you can get an idea how important it could be to millions of people. Special trains were run from all across India to facilitate viewers when it was inaugurated few months ago. One benefit, it bought from a rail point of view, is that the rail tracks were doubled and upgraded in speed[ from the state capital ]. Otherwise, it was a slow single line section in many ways neglected since the British left. This specific train is slow, even by Indian standards clocking barely 30 kph and still goes often late since it is subjected to overtakes by other trains. The road route is much shorter and faster, however, for passengers living close to rail stations, if you can cover say ~200 km for say 1$, that is much cheaper than other options.
The first image is of a one platformed terminal station. The next 2 images are that of a lakeside next to a major station, Jasidih.
I am truly enjoying these posts! It is my only way of being a 'tourist', to a part of the world I can never see in person.
In the first photo, end of track, it almost appears as though some day the line might extend further?
I think this station was built couple of decades back as a branch line from the main station. It exists to serve a religious site nearby [~ 1 km]. The main station is some 7 odd kms away and local trains ply between them. Technically, the line could be extended but there is hardly any need or any proposal pending for it.
The first two images are part of an orange liveried new trains introduced [in this case, 8 coacher] for day time service. This is the empty rake standing at the station in the early hours of morning, waiting for the passengers. The last image is that of Yamuna river near the city of Kanpur taken from my window seat.
Couple of snaps of subway/metro system running in two separate cities. The second image is from the national capital of Delhi which has ~390km of route length and the systems are extremely busy.
National Rail Museum This is located in the heart of the capital, tucked between embassies [if someone jumps over the Bhutanese embassy wall, they are gonna find themselves probably in a loco inside this museum ]. Next are few images taken last month. Palace on Wheels is a luxury train running in India. It used to originally run on Meter Gauge [now runs on Broad Gauge]. This is the original MG version of the train in an abandoned state. This is a saloon car earmarked for the Prince of Wales during the British era.
I was able to get a peek inside of it and whilst most of it was in a dilapidated state obviously, things like mounted fans were still there surprisingly. There was apparently, a plan to rehaul this train set into a heritage restaurant but all it got was a side track in the museum. A loco that underwent gauge conversion and a WDM 4 lounging in the sunshine.
It was only recently that I got to know that India actually did have electrified Meter Gauge locos [in the southern part of the country]. One such is on display. The other couple images include an older variant of EMU coach used in locals usually.
I visited during the sweltering hot month of June when there were only few visitors. A toy train runs as well in the premises. There is a steam simulator as well [atleast one can purchase the tickets for it technically] in the premises. Four more images including a 1902 build loco.
That wall of builder's plates would be the envy of any railfan or modeler! I wouldn't mind having that in my train room... I see two CLC (Canadian Locomotive Co) plates. The big red lozenge is hard to miss! Great set of photos.
Some very interesting equipment. Would have been great fun to have actually seen these items in active service.
