View allAll Photos Tagged sikar
A good proportion of the railways of Rajasthan are flat and direct (to my surprise in my ignorance), and the last remaining metre gauge line in this part of the state proved to be no exception.
Seen here, at an ungated road crossing just south of Sonthaliya, is North-Western Region liveried Alco YDM4 unit 6651 hauling the 10.30 Sikar - Jaipur Junction (train 19736) in some pleasantly clear light.
Out of shot is the policeman assigned to "guard" the crossing and whose job is to ensure there are no obstructions, or foul play, preventing the train making a safe passage. It makes a pleasant change to frame a shot to include telegraph poles and wires - whether they survive the line's conversion to broad gauge remains to be seen.
16th March 2016
A shot that didn't made the cut at the time but which has some merits I think, not least because metre gauge trains are now a thing of the past here.
The shot was taken at Ringas Junction, Rajasthan and features NWR liveried Alco YDM4 unit 6637 waiting time with the 6.20am Sikar - Jaipur (train 02088).
It was breakfast time and plenty of passengers were taking advantage of the extended stop to grab a bite to eat at one of the concessions on the platform at right - taking the direct route across the tracks was, and is, pretty normal. A couple of folk have spotted me too, including the driver, (I was hardly incognito in a white sun-hat) and are quite happy to get themselves in the shot.
Semaphores were still in use and these were controlled by two signal boxes, one at each end of the station. This side of the station was still exclusively metre gauge but, out of sight on the right, broad gauge track had already been laid and BG trains were running.
So far as I can make out the line from here to Sikar has now been converted to BG and is operational; the line to Jaipur however is still being converted and, presumably, will be operational soon.
8.06am, 16th March 2016
The Guard of the 4.00pm to Sikar Junction looks thoughtful as the train negotiates the pointwork going out of Jaipur. The couple of European snappers active around the metre gauge lines possibly serve as a reminder that the route will be closing in a matter of months for gauge conversion work, and the quaint MG rolling stock, which makes an easy step down to the ground, will soon be gone.
14th March 2016
Catching a bit of dawn sun side-glint NWR Alco YDM-4 unit 6637 gets signalled in to the platform line at Govindgarh Malikpur with the 06.25 Jaipur Junction - Sikar Junction (train 52085).
In commitment to the cause we usually missed breakfast and were out of the hotel by 6am to catch the best light of the day, between 7am-9am. The target on this occasion was the splendid signal gantry - where you'll note none of the substantially constructed safety barriers we see in the UK but, sporting solar panels, it can at least claim to be enironmentally friendly!
17th March 2016
Alcos are justifiably renowned for clagging, and YDM-4 unit 6651 proves no exception as it restarts from Loharwara with North Western Railways 6.20am Sikar - Jaipur service (train 02088) on 18th March 2016.
Intriguingly the halt here boasts few facilities and lies deep in the countryside far from any meaningful areas of population yet, as so often is the case, this appears to have little impact on the many folks gathering to catch it, or the number getting off.
A few roof riders can be glimpsed on the carriages beyond the station name board - quite sensibly staying well back from the loco exhaust!
18th March 2016
Elevated ground on the metre-gauge route between Jaipur and Sikar is pretty rare so, when you find some, you just have to take advantage of it.
In this shot Alco YDM4 no. 6476 heads the 13.30 Jaipur - Sikar Junction (train 19735) away from Nindhar Benar station, located just a few miles outside of Japiur.
Interestingly enough the loco is adorned in the North Eastern Region's blue livery rather than the brown of the North Western Region, suggesting the unit was transferred after becoming surplus to requirements under the gauge conversion programme.
16th March 2016
An Indian Railways' employee takes advantage of a quiet moment to get on with the seemingly never ending task of sweeping the platform clean. The location is Govindgarh Malikpur station, which lies on the metre-gauge line between Jaipur and Sikar.
The canopy might be a more recent addition but there's no disguising the intricate detail and beauty of the original station architecture at left - a real delight, and typical of many stations along this line.
15th March 2016
Framed by the home signal NWR metre gauge YDM-4 unit 6656 makes a spirited start from Chomun Samod after coming to the rescue of NER liveried sister loco 6476 which had failed with the 04.00 Jaipur - Sikar (train 52081), and whose passengers had endured a 3 hour delay waiting for help to arrive.
The push-bike in the foreground belongs to the approaching gentleman - an Indian Railways employee, whose duties include clipping points and managing the barriers on the road crossing behind me.
7.46am, 18th March 2016
Le temple de Krishna a peut-être été construit en 1723 par le roi Vishnu Malla (r. 1758-60), le 14e souverain de la dynastie Newar à Lalitpur (Yala). Cependant, selon Michael Hutt, le temple a en fait été construit par Yogamati, la fille du roi Yog Narendra (r.1685-1705), Yogamati, qui l'a construit comme un mémorial à son fils Lok Prakash, mort de la variole à l'âge. de huit. Comme son homologue au nord, le temple de Krishna Mandir, il est construit dans le style sikara, importé du nord de l'Inde et du Bengale. Le mot «Chyasim» ou «Chyasing» signifie à huit côtés, en référence à son plan octogonal.
Le temple est le monument le plus au sud du groupe principal de temples sur le côté ouest de la place Patan Darbar, et se trouve directement au sud de la cloche de Taleju et à l'ouest de Bhai Deval maintenant détruit, qui n'a pas survécu au tremblement de terre d'avril 2015. Contrairement à ce dernier monument, le Chyasim Deval a survécu en grande partie intact.
à suivre Katmandou
Shekhawati as a region is known for its exquisite frescoes that adorn the walls of the nineteenth century Havelis. This area consists of Churu, Jhunjhunu and Sikar districts. There are estimated to be 5,000 such buildings built during the 19th and 20th centuries.
With the signals already returned to danger, the 6.25am Jaipur - Sikar (train 52085) cuts through the early morning smog as it draws slowly over the broad-gauge diamond crossing at Ringas Junction in the hands of NWR liveried Alco YDM-4 unit 6651.
With this metre-gauge line due for conversion to broad gauge anytime now, the splendid semaphores will also bite the dust to be replaced by colour lights.
8.09am, 16th March 2016
Sadly technique let me down a bit with this shot but I'm still attracted to the laughter and colourful dress of this family of festival-goers, captured on the evening train to Sikar.
Jaipur - 16th March 2016
TKD WDP-4D #40599 pulls into Gurgaon with the Delhi Sarai Rohilla – Sikar Express.
I was onboard this train from Delhi Cantt up to here for a short ride behind the diesel.
Sitting on a train at Jaipur Junction a gentleman kindly allows me to photograph him and raises his celebratory staff for full effect.
The train is a MG service to Sikar and, judging by the ribbons, I'm guessing he's heading to the week-long Hindu Festival being held near Ringas - the destination for thousands of pilgrims during our visit last week, many of whom were making the journey on foot.
This was my second visit in the last 5 months courtesy and thanks to Don Gatehouse (www.flickr.com/photos/lickeybanker/) for another superbly coordinated trip.
16th March 2016
It's 7.38am and in the soft early-morning sunlight Alco YDM-4 no. 6637 approaches Ringas Junction with the 6.20am Sikar Junction - Jaipur (train O2088).
At the time, the Sikar - Jaipur route was a small pocket of metre-gauge activity in a wide area already converted to broad gauge. In fact, to the right of where I'm stood, part of the station was already running BG trains with the platform raised and resurfaced accordingly.
The over-bridge in the background carries National Highway 11, a 429 mile long road linking Jaisalmer (Rajasthan) and Rewari (Haryana). Tourists might be unwittingly familiar with it to seeing as it's the main highway between Agra and Jaipur.
16th March 2016
Rajasthan is nothing if not dusty and North Western Railways Alco YDM-4 no. 6623 gets its undercarriage hosed down as it stands on Sikar depot between turns.
The old shed in the background is a two-line relic from steam days and, in this now isolated metre-gauge enclave between Jaipur and Sikar, is responsible for keeping the locos running. For how much longer though is open to question given the imminent gauge conversion which will see the line completely closed and infrastructure replaced. When this happens the carriages will likely be scrapped, but some of the old Alco YDM-4s may yet soldier on for another lease of life - possibly on the African continent if the fate of some of their redundant predecessors is anything to go by.
In this shot you can't but admire the care and attention still being expended given the line only has a few weeks before MG, and possibly the life of the depot, comes to an end for good in Sikar.
16th March 2016
While predominantly a broad-gauge station Jaipur Junction does boast a small metre gauge section with a couple of platform faces and a few sidings all serving the only remaining MG route out of Jaipur - the line to Sikar some 107 km away.
In this shot NWR Alco YDM-4 no. 6651 basks in the evening light as it waits departure time with the 18.45 to Sikar Junction (train 02081). The signal box is still used and I'm stood by the point rodding controlling the approaches. To the right lies the broad gauge network.
The current rumours are that some, and perhaps all, of this line will be closed on 31st March for conversion to broad gauge, which will bring to an end metre gauge operations in this part of Rajasthan.
16th March 2016
WDM-4 explodes into action to re-start the 07:45 Jaipur Junction to Churu away from Nindhar Benar, Rajasthan. Special Passenger 02093 had just crossed the 04:45 Sikar Junction to Jaipur service that was occupying the platform loop. This location was was my final stop on the two visits to this area to recorded the MG workings as it was close to the National Highway to take me back north to Delhi. Alas, November 2016 saw the closure of this MG line for GC work to commence.
All images on this site are exclusive property and may not be copied, downloaded, reproduced, transmitted, manipulated or used in any way without expressed written permission of the photographer. All rights reserved – Copyright Don Gatehouse
The early morning sunlight bathes train and passengers alike on the 6.20am Sikar - Jaipur (train 02088) as it pauses at Ringas Junction in the capable hands of Alco YDM4 unit 6637.
This side of the station was still metre-gauge when the shot was taken, but the far side of the island platform to the right serves broad gauge trains, as suggested by the steps raising the platform level several inches.
For lovers of MG trains, sad to say work will start soon (if it hasn't already) converting the line to broad-gauge, but it will help scheduling flexibility for both passenger and freight operations at what is currently an awkward mixed gauge junction.
7.58am, 16th March 2016
Railway staff at Jaipur Junction station enjoy a chat while YDM-4 6731 waits to work to the 16:00 Passenger 02089 to Sikar Junction in March 2016.
All images on this site are exclusive property and may not be copied, downloaded, reproduced, transmitted, manipulated or used in any way without expressed written permission of the photographer. All rights reserved – Copyright Don Gatehouse
On 19 November, the 14714 Sikar Express made its final diesel hauled departure from Gurgaon, marking the end of an era. The train ran from Delhi Sarai Rohilla to Sikar, and TKD WDP-4B 40076 ‘Jhalkari Bai’ and WDP-4D 40026 did the honor one last time.
I have so many memories with this train. I travelled many times from Delhi Cantt to Gurgaon, always behind those strong diesel locomotives. Seeing its last diesel run was very emotional - a moment that was hard to watch, but one I will never forget.
The 06:15 Jaipur Junction to Churu MG (JP-CUR) Passenger 52085 heads away from Sikar Junction in the care of YDM-4 6649.
All images on this site are exclusive property and may not be copied, downloaded, reproduced, transmitted, manipulated or used in any way without expressed written permission of the photographer. All rights reserved – Copyright Don Gatehouse
Little Havana, Miami, Florida, USA
A cigar is a tightly-rolled bundle of dried and fermented leaf tobacco which is rolled in a series of types and sizes that is ignited so that its smoke may be drawn into the mouth. Cigar tobacco is grown in significant quantities in Brazil, Cameroon, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Indonesia, Mexico, Nicaragua, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Canary Islands (Spain), Italy and the Eastern United States. The origins of cigar smoking are still unknown. In Guatemala, a ceramic pot dating back to the tenth century features a Mayan smoking tobacco leaves tied together with a string. Sikar, the term for smoking used by the Maya, may have inspired the name cigar.
In the cool hours of early dawn, metre-gauge Alco YDM-4 unit 6731 eases away from Govindgarh Malikpur station beneath the splendid bracket signal with the first southbound service of the day, the 04.55 Sikar Junction - Jaipur Junction (train 02082).
The Sikar to Jaipur line was one of the last bastions of metre-gauge activity in Rajasthan but, a few months after this shot was taken, that all came to an end when the line closed for conversion to broad gauge.
The YDM-4s are hardy locomotives and it's likely some of them will be serviced and sold overseas. There's little use for the coaching stock however and it will probably be scrapped - indeed there are images of exactly that taking place at the old MG maintenance facility at Sikar Junction.
6.58am, 16th March 2016
The metre-gauge line between Ringas and Sikar passes mainly through an agricultural landscape punctuated by small hamlets and, for the most part, occasional platform-less halts.
With few bridges on the line there are also numerous ungated crossings each patrolled by a policeman who will typically spend his shift sat in a chair waiting for one of the seven trains per day each way to turn up. Some of these lanes see little traffic so it can be a quiet job and, not surprisingly, they pass time gossiping with the locals who provide them with refreshments periodically.
In this shot the policeman is stood by the crossing as the train approaches, his duty to ensure no-one obstructs the line. Beside him are a couple of locals one of whom, unbidded, was kind enough to bring me and Don cups of tea - a cultural thing, he saw us as guests and his duty to look after us.
On the left is "Kimmie", our driver for the week, and beside him are a couple of the local kids watching the train approach and generally keen to see what the two Brits were up to.
The train is NWR 14.10 Sikar - Jaipur service (52084), hauled by Alco YDM-4 loco no. 6651, slowing for the Sonthaliya stop a couple of hundred metres behind me. I couldn't resist framing this with the policeman's motor-bike. Rumours abound that the line will be closed for gauge conversion at the end of this month, so these quaint trains will sadly soon be a thing of the past.
17th March 2016
Indian Railways YDM-4 6731 is eased along the final approach to its destination at Jaipur Junction in March 2016 at the head of MG Passenger service 52084, the 14:10 from Sikar Junction via Ringas. By that date, Sikar was the final northern destination of the much truncated NWR MG network in Rajasthan that would finally close for gauge conversion work just eight months after this view was recorded.
All images on this site are exclusive property and may not be copied, downloaded, reproduced, transmitted, manipulated or used in any way without expressed written permission of the photographer. All rights reserved – Copyright Don Gatehouse
It's Saturday morning and we spend the final couple of hours in the Jaipur area before the 5 hour drive along NH8 back to Delhi.
It's also pretty warm so what better than to lazily take a snap from where some of the passengers are biding their time keeping out of the heat - in the shade of the Tamarind tree. Well at least that's what I think it is, hopefully someone will confirm or re-educate me!
This shot was taken at Nindhar Benar and catches the 10.00 Jaipur - Sikar (train 52083) in the capable hands of a NWR metre-gauge Alco no. 6738 as it pulls into the platform line. As can be seen the platform has barely any height and passengers will quite happily board from this side too, including the couple at left who ambled over to the train after taking a peek at what I was doing.
Work here is well underway for gauge conversion with a new platform face already under construction, together with a new building and extension to the current minimalist canopy. As Jaipur continues to grow it seems like Indian Railways are taking the GC opportunity to deliver a station in keeping with the expected passenger traffic levels.
19th March 2016
There's a pecking order on Indian Railways and, if you've achieved the rank of driver through skill and length of service, then quite rightly you're not expected to 'fill her up' when it comes to stopping by the fuel pump.
In this late afternoon shot the driver sits regally in the cab of metre gauge Alco YDM-4 no. 6651 while the younger employee does the honours with the fuel line. The pump can be seen to the right at the end of the platform housed in the lockable wooden cabinet. You'll also see a bucket too - this is filled with soapy water and used to wash down the loco's fuel tank and inlet area to rid it of any spilled diesel fuel.
The station is of course Jaipur Junction and this was taken just off the end of only remaining metre gauge platform before the loco backed on to a service for Sikar Junction. With gauge conversion plans well advanced it's doubtful this last remaining MG service out of Jaipur will survive beyond the end of 2016.
4.31pm, 16th March 2016
Two scenes are being played out in this shot of Jaipur Junction taken in 2016. On the left are the last remnants of metre-gauge operations in the region, with Alco YDM-4 unit 6637 readying to depart with the 4.00pm passenger to Sikar Junction (train 02089), some 107 km away.
Everything to the right of the YDM-4 is broad-gauge, with WDM-2A unit 16869 in shot working the 4:15pm Daily Superfast service to Bikaner Junction (train 12468).
Sadly, this isolated pocket of MG has since closed with the route currently undergoing conversion to broad gauge.
16th March 2016
The 14:00 Churu to Jaipur Junction Special Passenger 02094 heads away from Lachmangarh Sikar station with YDM-4 6627 providing the fumes at the business end.
All images on this site are exclusive property and may not be copied, downloaded, reproduced, transmitted, manipulated or used in any way without expressed written permission of the photographer. All rights reserved – Copyright Don Gatehouse
Recorded arriving at Sikar Junction, Rajasthan Alco YDM-4 6649 was working the 06:15 Jaipur Junction to Churu MG Passenger 52085. The well-weathered first coach was clearly showing the impact of spending a good many hours in close proximity to the exhaust emitted from a working Alco.
All images on this site are exclusive property and may not be copied, downloaded, reproduced, transmitted, manipulated or used in any way without expressed written permission of the photographer. All rights reserved – Copyright Don Gatehouse
Abu Road-based IR WDM-3A 18987 eases the 07:05 Delhi Sarai Rohilla [DEE] to Bhagat Ki Kothi [BGKT] Express into Churu Junction. On the right of the frame were the then remaining tracks of the MG line from Sikar Junction that would close later in 2015 for gauge conversion work to commence.
All images on this site are exclusive property and may not be copied, downloaded, reproduced, transmitted, manipulated or used in any way without expressed written permission of the photographer. All rights reserved – Copyright Don Gatehouse
Indian Railways YDM-4 6476 eases away from Nindhar Benar station with the 13:30 Jaipur Junction to Sikar Junction JP-SIKR Intercity Express 19735.
All images on this site are exclusive property and may not be copied, downloaded, reproduced, transmitted, manipulated or used in any way without expressed written permission of the photographer. All rights reserved – Copyright Don Gatehouse
The 06:20 Sikar Junction to Jaipur Junction MG Passenger 02088 threads its way through the fine array of semaphore signals as it arrives at Ringas Junction, Rajasthan in the care of NWR YDM-4 Alco locomotive 6637.
All images on this site are exclusive property and may not be copied, downloaded, reproduced, transmitted, manipulated or used in any way without expressed written permission of the photographer. All rights reserved – Copyright Don Gatehouse
Indian Railways YDM-4 6651 storms southbound between Sonthaliya and Ringas Junction while heading to Jaipur Junction with the 10:30 MG Express service 19736 from Sikar Junction.
All images on this site are exclusive property and may not be copied, downloaded, reproduced, transmitted, manipulated or used in any way without expressed written permission of the photographer. All rights reserved – Copyright Don Gatehouse
All over India, cricket can be seen being played with great enthusiasm and in many cases, with either minimal or no standard equipment. On a brief visit to Ranoli between Sikar and Reengas in Rajasthan I found a game in progress on a plot of ground adjacent to the MG station that carries the names of the two local villages.
These boys came over and asked for a picture, so I obliged. Alas, with no access to internet or phones the only view they could have was on the screen of my camera. Note there is just one cricket bat between them and that had seen better days.
During April/May, there are 8 teams competing in the annual T20 Tournament in India (The IPL) that is watched globally. The brand value of the IPL in 2014 was estimated to be circa US$7.2 Billion. It would be good to think that the main sponsors of the Tournament would channel some of the earnings into helping youngsters like these have a better future. Just maybe, eh?
All images on this site are exclusive property and may not be copied, downloaded, reproduced, transmitted, manipulated or used in any way without expressed written permission of the photographer. All rights reserved – Copyright Don Gatehouse
YDM-4 6694 makes an impessive attempt to darken the afternoon sky as it accelerates the 16:55 departure from Jaipur Junction. The 02089 MG Special Passenger was heading for Churu via Ringas and Sikar Junctions, a journey of 197 kms.
All images on this site are exclusive property and may not be copied, downloaded, reproduced, transmitted, manipulated or used in any way without expressed written permission of the photographer. All rights reserved – Copyright Don Gatehouse
The scene at the MG platform end at Jaipur Junction, where Indian Railways YDM-4 6731 waits to depart with the 16:00 02089 Passenger to Sikar Junction via Ringas Junction.
All images on this site are exclusive property and may not be copied, downloaded, reproduced, transmitted, manipulated or used in any way without expressed written permission of the photographer. All rights reserved – Copyright Don Gatehouse
The 06:20 Sikar Junction to Jaipur Junction MG Passenger 02088 had just arrived at Ringas Junction, Rajasthan in the care of NWR YDM-4 Alco locomotive 6637. The loco pilot had spotted a photo opportunity and suitably positioned himself at the cab window.
All images on this site are exclusive property and may not be copied, downloaded, reproduced, transmitted, manipulated or used in any way without expressed written permission of the photographer. All rights reserved – Copyright Don Gatehouse
The loco pilot's assistant had spotted me waiting at the line side, so held this pose for a quick frame before continuing his flag waving duties. Indian Railways YDM-4 6650 was commencing its late afternoon journey to Churu via Ringas and Sikar Junctions as the 16:55 02089 MG Special Passenger from Jaipur Junction.
All images on this site are exclusive property and may not be copied, downloaded, reproduced, transmitted, manipulated or used in any way without expressed written permission of the photographer. All rights reserved â Copyright Don Gatehouse
The 17:05 Sikar Junction to Churu Passenger 52087 heads away from Sikar in the care of YDM-4 6650.
All images on this site are exclusive property and may not be copied, downloaded, reproduced, transmitted, manipulated or used in any way without expressed written permission of the photographer. All rights reserved – Copyright Don Gatehouse
Indian Railways NWR YDM-4 6637 'makes smoke' as it approaches the small wayside station of Baori Thikria at the head of the 19736 InterCity Express, the 10:30 Sikar Junction to Jaipur Junction. The locomotive was crossing the Thikariya-Malikpur road and anyone waiting on the east side of the crossing would have been lost in that black cloud, no doubt!
All images on this site are exclusive property and may not be copied, downloaded, reproduced, transmitted, manipulated or used in any way without expressed written permission of the photographer. All rights reserved – Copyright Don Gatehouse