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Indian Metre-Gauge Heaven! Ajmer on India’s Western Railway was a treasure-house of old locomotive types, with Imperial (pre-Independence), classes outnumbering Indian Railways standard designs. All has long since gone – steam was replaced by diesel traction and the metre gauge has been superseded by Indian Railways’ broad gauge of 5 feet, six inches (1.676m). Here are a few memories, seen on just one day in December, 1979: Co-Co diesel TDM8 No. 6091 has rescued a failed YP Class 4-6-2 No.2445 on a freight from Delhi. At the time, Ajmer was 100% steam operation so the diesel was immediately detached and returned north. Colour slide and scan by Roger Griffiths: roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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India_Delhi_Jct_YDM4_6396 Northern Railway MG YDM4 6396 (DLW 1970) arrives at Delhi Junction with T99 Hisar-Delhi Haryana Express; 11.12.1979. Roger Griffiths roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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Making a smoke cloud any steam locomotive would be proud of, Southern Railway MG Co-Co diesel No.6188 (Montreal Locomotive Works 1964) leaves Hubli with the Mahalaxmi Express. A product of Alco, mostly built under licence in India, it was the 695 members of this class of locomotive which heralded the end of steam on the metre gauge; now just a handful are left on a few Indian Railways' 'Heritage' lines; 23.11.1979. Roger Griffiths roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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Southern Railway MG diesel YDM4 No.6274 has arrived at Hubli with a freight train and is proceeding to the yards to pick up a return working. Note the Southern Railway black livery for freight diesels and the badge saying that the Co-Co is allocated to the diesel depot at Guntakal; 23.11.1979. Roger Griffiths roger.griffiths@hotmail.com