Mangalooru Bengalooru Train Journey

It was 8.40 Am train started to Bengalooru from the Mangalore junction  which is at 36 feet above the sea level , It was dream route to travel  which came true on 22 sep for us , As usual we cousins jagan,vijay,phani,gopi, vaishu booked  seats  well in advance. The journey started through the plains. Slowly the train started ascending in the hill region, as We crossed low lying hills, few curves, areca nut and coconut plantations and small rivers. Some of the stations that passed were Buntwal, Kabaka Puttur. Near Panemangalur the train crosses the Nethravathi River via a tall bridge. The train reached Subramanya road at 10.40 AM, a mid sized station surrounded by lofty hills. Now the train is at 380 feet, where two more Diesel WDC  Locomotive are added to rear side  which helps to Push the train in Ascending Ghat section, the switch took well over 20 minutes. The 3 stations in the Ghats are for rail crossing. Near the station, one gives us the glimpses of the Superb Kumara Parvatha nearly 4000 feet tall. 

Train started at 11.00 Am, Slowly picking the speed entering dense green deciduous Forests. The train traveled at a very slow speed of 20-25 KMPH.  We preceded further, more tunnels, curves, dense forest covered the line clinging to the ledges on the hillside, NH 48 was barely visible as a thin line from the track. As we entered a tunnel everyone in train started enjoying, making there own sounds, whistling, everyone expressed there happiness in their own way .It was a memorable moment .We passed through a series of short tunnels and bridges. One of them fairly tall at 125 feet, built on a gentle curve. Almost after an hour, of roller coaster ride we reached Yedakumari. A forlorn, attractive awesome wayside old station built on a rocky ledge with 2 tracks for trains to cross. We are on a high hill, unfortunately train stopped for only few seconds at this station. The travel was slow, meandering. Kumaradhara River, one of its tributary passes along side of the track at many places. Train ascends steadily through a series of loops after Yedakumari, reaching Donigal, a small wayside station closer to highway. The journey now is through the tropical forests of the Sahyadri Hills, away from civilization It took nearly 3 hours to complete the Ghats. By this time we had traveled across  

Tunnels 57
Total length of tunnels - 10.98 kms.
 Longest tunnel - 578 mts.



Bridges 670

Major – 91, Minor – 549, 

Road over bridges – 16,

 Road under bridges – 12     

 Curves   110  
8⁰ - 85 Numbers, 
3⁰ to 5⁰ - 25 Numbers.                                                                                                                  

                                                                                                                                                                              

A splendid engineering, every curve or bridge which is technically designed to ensure safety, hats off to INDIAN RAILWAYS for implementing their skills, by taking risks at the height of 3000 feet above, Its not a easy task to accomplish such route, where you can expect heavy rainfall, landslides etc, walls have been constructed to avoid landslides in selected places, heavy size rocks have been placed and covered by iron mesh to hold it together. Drain system have been constructed all the way along the both sides of the track,   for easy flow of rain water which is directed towards nearest streams or rivers. Inspection Trolley will be deputed before every train journey. Track between Subramanya and Sakleshpura in a difficult terrain of the Sahyadri Range. Providing an easy access to the surrounding area to the west coast. Most of the passengers are mesmerized by the passing scenery, sitting near the open door of the train. We reached Sakleshpura station around 2.05 PM; it is situated at 3100 feet.

 At this station, the extra two engines were detached; train left to Bengalooru via Hassan, Arsikere, Here the train direction a change, shunting process took place, Every Passenger can feel the Push and pull process in the journey. Reached Bengalooru at 8 00 pm. hope many rail fans, Nature lovers will travel over this delightful route and have a breathtaking ride. Thus unforgettable journey comes to an end.




Embarrassing Moment :, some of passengers throw water bottles, plastic covers, food waste outside into rivers, Forest, streams ,Write their  names on tunnels, bridges ,spitting etc which is really bad , I really don’t Understand  why people behave so .According to me ,”We have every right  to enjoy the nature ….but…. we don’t have the right  to pollute it “,  With these Lines I  request all of you to take a step forward to  save Nature  and its purity , Implement it and forward it to all.