A Deccan Odyssey: Mumbai-Solapur Full Journey Compilation

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• published: 05 Mar 2016
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Presenting some highlights between Mumbai ans Solapur, taken aboard the LTT Visakhapatnam Express during the monsoons. We depart from Mumbai (LTT) early in the morning at 6:50 and almost immediately as we join the main tracks heading towards Kalyan are we rudely overtaken by the Pune Intercity with a WCAM3. Our Kalyan WDM3 subsequently notches up and maintains a fair pace towards Kalyan, crossing a number of early morning departures on the way. After Kalyan, we swing eastwards towards Pune, and head towards the ghats, with the hills of Matheran visible in the distance. At Karjat, we receive our set of three bankers and begin our ascent into the ghats, where we meet one of the legends of Indian Railways - the Deccan Queen Express hauled by its customary Kalyan WCAM3. The ghats present a wonderful sight in the monsoons, with the hills lush green with vegetation and the occasional waterfall seeping through. We cross into Lonavala, 2,000 feet above sea level, and charge towards Pune upon entering the Deccan Plateau, curving left and right. Post Pune, we enter into diesel territory though electrification works are in full swing till Daund. We meet a number of EMD hauled trains in this stretch, including the Coimbatore LTT Express and the Karnataka Sampark Kranti Express. We skip Daund - one of the major skips by this train and subsequently, enter the single-line territory which extends right till Solapur. After Daund till Jeur, we travel alongside the Bhima river and past the beautiful Ujani Dam, with its lakes ending right at the tracks. We are graced at this point with a speedy encounter from another legend - the Karnataka Express comes rushing through with off-link twin Erode WDG3As, and absolutely blast past. We maintain a steady progress through the single line stretch, crossing Kuruduvadi at great speed. The landscape changes post Daund and we are into the rugged Deccan plains - dry and arid, with the occasional sugar cane plantation. Alcos from Kalyan, Guntakal, Gooty and Kazipet rule to tracks here, making a wonderful kaleidoscope courtesy their distinct liveries. Prior to Solapur, we meet the Solapur Pune Intercity Express, which rockets past with a Kalyan Alco. Finally, we roll into Solapur a little after 2 and are greeted at the platform with some delicious freshly prepared Pav Bhaji!