India_Ajmer_m_g__YG_3331__no_deflectors__12_12_1979.jpg (63814 bytes)

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 All has long since gone – steam was replaced by diesel traction and the metre gauge has been superseded by Indian Railways’ broad gauge of 5 feet, six inches (1.676m).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: In a colour photograph that looks almost black and white, a grimy Class YG 2-8-2, No. 3331 sits on Ajmer shed. Note that unusually, the locomotive is not fitted with the usual smoke deflectors. Colour slide and scan by Roger Griffiths: roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

India_Ajmer_m_g__YG_3444_psgr_to_Kacheguda_12_12_1979.jpg (139676 bytes)

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 All has long since gone – steam was replaced by diesel traction and the metre gauge has been superseded by Indian Railways’ broad gauge of 5 feet, six inches (1.676m).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: In a picture taken from the signal gantry, 2-8-2 Class YG 3444 departs from Ajmer with a stopping passenger train to Kacheguda. Colour slide and scan by Roger Griffiths: roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

India_Alnavar_YG_4017_Nip_1635_1953_YG_3454_Telco_735_1963_23_11_1979.jpg (147854 bytes)

India_Alnavar_YG_4017 At the rear of the freight seen in the previous picture, hauled by YB 30053, two MG Class YG 2-8-2 are necessary for assisting the train up the hill to Londa. YG 4017 (Nippon 1635 1953) and YG 3454 (Telco 735 1963); 23.11.1979. Photo and scan Roger Griffiths; roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

India_Arsikere_engine_shed_YG_4231_Telco_346_1958_28_11_1979.jpg (149726 bytes)

India_Arsikere_engine_shed_YG_4231 Arsikere engine shed's coaling area, laborious work for three men shovelling coal into baskets for three other men to carry upon their heads up a precarious slope to tip into the tender of MG 2-8-2 YG 4231 (Telco 346/1958). The sulphrous coal being burned by the engine adds a strange, pinkish glow to the atmosphere; 28.11.1979. Roger Griffiths roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

India_Bidadi_T1064_Bangalore-Mysore_passgr_YG_4205_Telco_320_1958_29_11_1979.jpg (149720 bytes)

The Southern Railway MG station at Bidadi, where 2-8-2 YG 4205 (Telco 320/1958) pauses with T1064, a Bangalore - Mysore passenger service; 29.11.1979. Roger Griffiths roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

India_Birur_north_bound_freight_YG_3067_BLW_74541_1949_28_11_1979.jpg (152282 bytes)

MG 2-8-2 YG 3067 (BLW 74541/1949) with a north-bound freight, stops for water at Birur. Note the crew of three on the locomotive plus spare crew members watching from the coach behind the YG; the Mikado obviously has a task that will be long in terms of distance and/or time. The engine comes from the first 120 Class YG delivered of an eventual 1441 machines, from eight builders. The type placed much reliance upon American steam locomotive practice, as opposed to previous British designs, in particular, the use of bar, as against plate, frames; 28.11.1979. Roger Griffiths roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

India_Birur_north_bound_freight_cows_YG_3067_BLW_74541_1949_28_11_1979.jpg (150869 bytes)

In India, cows are regarded as sacrosanct, but even they must make way for Indian Railways; traffic! At Birur, MG 2-8-2 YG 3067 (BLW 74541 1949) has taken on water and now waits for the semaphore signal to drop and allow it to proceed on its journey north - meanwhile, local road traffic looks on; 28.11.1979. Roger Griffiths roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

India_Delhi_Jct_No_4_m_g__YG_4289_unad_psgr_11_12_1979.jpg (56259 bytes)

India: Delhi Junction No.4: Double-track broad gauge (BG) and metre gauge (MG) lines entered Delhi Junction station from the west. The BG was used by Indian Railways' Northern Railway while the MG was shared by the Northern and Western Railways. Just outside the station BG and MG lines diverged south to enter New Delhi station. Each weekday morning there was a 95% steam-hauled, “rush hour” of commuter and long-distance trains, on both gauges, with a large number of movements to be seen in just a few hours. Add to this the use of the railway tracks as footpaths by the local population and you had a very interesting scene. These photos were taken on the morning of Tuesday, 11 December, 1979; nowadays, all lines are broad gauge and overhead electrified. In Northern Railway passenger livery, MG 2-8-2 YG 4289 has just crossed-over to take the single MG line to New Delhi station. The YG was hauling an unadvertised commuter train. Colour slide and scan by Roger Griffiths; roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

India_Delhi_Jct_No_7_m_g__YG_3234_from_Garhi_Harsaru_Jct_11_12_1979.jpg (135354 bytes)

India: Delhi Junction No.7: Double-track broad gauge (BG) and metre gauge (MG) lines entered Delhi Junction station from the west. The BG was used by Indian Railways' Northern Railway while the MG was shared by the Northern and Western Railways. Just outside the station BG and MG lines diverged south to enter New Delhi station. Each weekday morning there was a 95% steam-hauled, “rush hour” of commuter and long-distance trains, on both gauges, with a large number of movements to be seen in just a few hours. Add to this the use of the railway tracks as footpaths by the local population and you had a very interesting scene. These photos were taken on the morning of Tuesday, 11 December, 1979; nowadays, all lines are broad gauge and overhead electrified. Not the best place for a mother and father to walk with their children! Western Railway MG 2-8-2 YG 3234 had whistled loud and long to warn the family of its presence, as the loco takes the curve to New Delhi station with a commuter service from Garhi Harsaru. The locomotive was in black, freight livery but carried a decorated chimney. Colour slide and scan by Roger Griffiths; roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

India_Delhi_Jct_No_9_m_g__YG_4141_towing_YG_3234_11_12_1979.jpg (49138 bytes)

India: Delhi Junction No.9: Double-track broad gauge (BG) and metre gauge (MG) lines entered Delhi Junction station from the west. The BG was used by Indian Railways' Northern Railway while the MG was shared by the Northern and Western Railways. Just outside the station BG and MG lines diverged south to enter New Delhi station. Each weekday morning there was a 95% steam-hauled, “rush hour” of commuter and long-distance trains, on both gauges, with a large number of movements to be seen in just a few hours. Add to this the use of the railway tracks as footpaths by the local population and you had a very interesting scene. These photos were taken on the morning of Tuesday, 11 December, 1979; nowadays, all lines are broad gauge and overhead electrified. Western Railway MG 2-8-2 YG 4141 smokes away from New Delhi towards Garhi Hasaru with a commuter train. Being towed out for dropping off at Delhi’s Western Railway MG locomotive depot is YG 3234. In the distance, arriving with a “Delhi Shuttle” is a Northern Railway diesel locomotive, one of only two diesels seen during our visit to this busy location. Colour slide and scan by Roger Griffiths; roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

India_Hubli_East__bound_freight_YG_4354_Mitsubishi_912_1956_23_11_1979.jpg (161562 bytes)

India_Hubli_East_bound_freight South Central Railway MG 2-8-2 YG 4354 (Mitsubishi 912/1956) leaves Hubli freight yard with an eastbound working towards Guntakal. Note the passenger coach behind the locomotive; this was for a second engine crew who would relieve their colleagues on the long journey ahead; 23.11.1979. Roger Griffiths roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

India_Hubli_West_bound_freight_YG_3373_Telco_594_1961_YG_4291_Nipp_1724_1956_23_11_1979.jpg (150335 bytes)

India_Hubli_West_bound_freight_YG_3373 South Central Railway MG 2-8-2s YG 3373 (Telco 594/1961) and YG 4291 (Nippon 1724/1956) pull away from Hubli with a west bound freight. Note YG 4291 is unusually painted blue, which indicates that it is more regularly employed working passenger trains; 23.11.1979. Roger Griffiths roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

India_Hubli_West_bound_freight_YG_3373_Telco_594_1961_and_blue_YG_4291_Nipp_1724_1956_23_11_1979.jpg (153266 bytes)

India_Hubli_West_bound_freight_YG_3373 South Central Railway MG 2-8-2s YG 3373 (Telco 594/1961) and YG 4291 (Nippon 1724/1956) pull away from Hubli with a west bound freight. Note YG 4291 is unusually painted blue, which indicates that it is more regularly employed working passenger trains; 23.11.1979. Roger Griffiths roger.griffiths@hotmail.com