photogallery

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by: JOYDEEP DUTTA

The WDM/2 and its mg younger sister YDM/2 had such an appeal that those who took to them did so with a rather virulent passion. Although the WDM/2s were simple, straightforward workhorses, mundane in appearance, the surreal atmosphere created when the beasts accelerated with a familiar gharr-gharr-gharr sound, throwing out an acrid pall of black smoke was something unmatched. It was a sublime experience to travel in the first or second car of the train with the noisy WDM/2 going through the motions, and being quite vocal at that. While you can catch the sounds on Jay Balakrishna's videos page (see links page for url), I try and present to you some of the visual aspects of these beasts hard at work.

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1. In the 1970s-1980s, before the electrification mania caught on, 21 car super trunk expresses hauled by two WDM/2s were the order of the day on selected routes. These trains enjoyed an unrivalled reputation for their speed and timekeeping. Sadly, this scene has almost completely disappeared from the IR. Seen here is the double WDM/2 headed Bangalore-New Delhi Karnataka Express leaving Daund. This particular train is still so hauled for part of its way. (Photo Courtesy: Apurva Bahadur.)

2. Mysore has always been a bastion of mg, and the all mg Mysore State Railway is legendary. Nowadays, mg is limited to a short branch line to Nanjangund/Chamarajanagar. Here is a YDM/4 returning to shed in mg days. This semi aerial shot gives a fair idea of the lineage of these mg beasts. (Photo Courtesy: Apurva Bahadur.)

3. With a speed restriction sign providing foreground, a long WDM/2 running Long Hood Forward works her way through Poona station with a heavy rake of BCCN cement wagons. (Photo Courtesy: Apurva Bahadur.)

4. Nearly two decades down the line, freight is now the responsibility of the WDM/2's more powerful freight variant, the WDG/2. A pair of WDG/2s is seen here threading its way near Bangalore, raising a cloud of dust in the process. The WDG/2s are usually always twin coupled long hood to long hood. In this picture, the lead engine is oriented the wrong way round and is working Long Hood Forward. (Photo Courtesy: Apurva Bahadur.)

5. Having just come in with a super express from Madurai, a mg YDM/4 now returns to Tiruchirapalli with another super express, after a quick turnaround to have short hood leading once again. This route is now regauged to bg, and WDM/2s or WDP/2s work the Pallavan Express on bg tracks. (Photo by: S. Shankar.)

6. This prize winning dusk shot shows a YDM/4 snaking her way into Pakala Junction with a passenger train.. (Photo Courtesy: Tim Wakeman.)

7. Still with the YDM/4s, another member of this class enters Kumbakonam on the Southern Railway with a passenger train from Madras on a very wet November morning. (Photo by: S. Shankar.)

8. Back to the subject of our website, three WDM/2s head towards Bangalore City station from the Krishnarajapuram diesel shed in Bangalore. All three engines are in standard KJM navy/light blue livery and will take charge of their respective trains from Bangalore City. (Photo Courtesy: Apurva Bahadur.)

9. A member of the dreadful low nose WDM/2 Jumbo undergoes heavy repair and overhaul in the Krishnarajapuram shed. There was a move to rebuild all the Jumbos with conventional short hoods sometime in 2000, but no such rebuilds have actually taken place to the best of my knowledge. (Photo Courtesy: Apurva Bahadur.)

10. By 2000, mg workings out of Mysore were limited to slow stopping passenger trains to Nanjangund/Chamarajnagar. A YDM/4 backs her train into the station before setting out again with the train itself towards her destination. (Photo by: S. Shankar.)

11. The newer WDM/2Cs with bald headed profile at the short hood feature a control desk and a master controller wheel. Although the layout is more ergonomic, the designer forgot to provide a depression for the driver to rest his feet. Hence no leg room makes this otherwise nice layout a torture to drive. Wonder where they pick up such ignorant and incompetent designers! This report could however not be confirmed, though it has been reported by several fans. One confirmed irritiant with the control desk however is the fact that the drivers need to keep their hands outstretched all the time while driving! (Photo Courtesy: Apurva Bahadur.)

12. WDM/2 # 17398 readies to leave Nira station with the Maharashtra Express. Note the platform extension work in progress. (Photo Courtesy: Apurva Bahadur.)

13. Alas, a scene that will never again be repeated. Twin WDM/2As haul the Bombay Central-New Delhi Rajdhani Express over the Bassein Creek Bridge near Bombay. This route is now completely electrified, and WCAM/1 or WCAM/2P engines work the Rajdhani. (Photo downloaded from the web.)

14. Working Long Hood Forward, a WDM/2 hurries away into the dry countryside with the Maharashtra Express out of Karad. The signalling cabin adds to the period atmosphere. (Photo Courtesy: Apurva Bahadur.)