Trip Report: Electric action at Malawli, 8th October

Disclaimer: The report talks about trains/railways

After catching a lot of Diesel action, it was time to give the Electrics their due. An opportunity presented itself when we hatched a plan to go to Malawli, which is 56 KM from Pune on the way to Lonavla.

Observations at Pune Station:

1) At about 6 AM in the morning, the rake of Jhelum Express was being shunted by an Itarsi WDMxx. Surprising, how did the Itarsi loco. get here in the first place? And also, what was Jhelum’s rake doing there at 6 AM!! One possible explanation could be that Jhelum had a loco. failiure and hence reached Pune very late.

2) Announcement regarding Azad Hind’s arrival was made and it was running on time.

3) Our train, the Lonavla bound 6.30 AM EMU was to depart from PF1


At Malawli, Her Majesty, the Queen of the Deccan raced past at over 90 Kmph. Such is the prestige that she commands that the LC gates at Malawli were closed a good 8-10 minutes before her arrival. WCAM3 #21882 did the honours. More sightings include a Pune bound EMU and the CSTM bound Pragati with its customary loco., a WCG2.

We had more sightings on the way to Lohagad fort which is on top of a hill. Some more sightings were in store for us on our return journey in the evening. Firstly, Konark, then the 1081, both at Malawli. Our EMU was crossed by the Intercity at KM 52 at about 6.40 PM, and we were overtaken by the Pune bound Pragati at Khadki at 7.45 PM.

As our EMU pulled into Pune, The Deccan Odessey departed from PF1 with either a WCAM3 or a WCG2 (couldn’t note this clearly). Incidentally, this was the first time I was seeing The Deccan Odessey.

Some general notes on Malawli:

1) The Pune-Mumbai Expressway runs parallel to the railway tracks from somewhere near Kamshet to Malawli. Just after Malawli, they split.

2) Most express trains do 80+ through this station, making it an ideal place to catch high speed action.

3) Malawli is the closest railhead for Bhaje Caves, Lohagad fort, and Visapur fort. The station can be very clearly seen as we ascend these tourist destinations, and the view of trains passing parallel to the expressway from up the hills is simply breathtaking.

All pictures of the trip can be viewed at www.ashwinpune.fotopic.net, please do take a look. Eager to get some feedback from your side.