India_NG_76cm_Dabhoi_system_WT_598_Pratapnagar_Works_pilot_14_12_1976.jpg (157863 bytes)

India_NG 76cm_Dabhoi system_WT 598 Pratapnagar Works The Maharajah of Baroda commissioned construction of a system of 2’-6” (76cm) lines across his vast estates. Centred upon Dabhoi, five routes radiated out to Jambusar, Miyagam Karjan, Chandod, Bodeli and Takhala, with a total track length of 207kms, making it the largest narrow gauge system in the world. The pictures date from 14 December 1979, when all line traffic was hauled by Class ZB 2-6-2, but a number of older classes still lingered on various pilot duties. Today all lines have been converted, or are in the process of conversion, to broad gauge. At Pratapnagar was the locomotive, carriage and wagon works for the Dabhoi 76cm gauge system. This nicely cleaned 0-6-4, WT 598 was acting as Works pilot.. Colour slide and scan Roger Griffiths. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

India_Nadiad_engine__shed_2ft-6in_shed_0-6-4T_WT_597__2-6-2_ZB_67__WB_2985_1952__and_ZB_121_13_12_1979.jpg (126874 bytes)

India_Nadiad_engine_ shed Two, 2ft 6in gauge railway lines ran from the Western Railway station of Nadiad: roughly northeast to Kapadvanj, 28 miles (45km) opened 1913 and southwest to Bhadran 37 miles (59km) opened 1914. Diesel locomotives took over from steam until the Bhadran line was totally closed, while the route to Kapadbanj was converted to broad gauge, initially diesel worked, but it is reported that electrification is underway. Nadiad engine shed, with left to right: 0-6-4T WT 597, 2-6-2 ZB 67 (WB 2985/1952) and ZB 121; 13.12.1979. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

India_Nadiad_shed_WT_595_2ft-6in_0-6-4T_WT_595__WB_2279_1925__13_12_1979.jpg (152049 bytes)

India_Nadiad_shed_WT_595 Two, 2ft 6in gauge railway lines ran from the Western Railway station of Nadiad: roughly northeast to Kapadvanj, 28 miles (45km) opened 1913 and southwest to Bhadran 37 miles (59km) opened 1914. Diesel locomotives took over from steam until the Bhadran line was totally closed, while the route to Kapadbanj was converted to broad gauge, initially diesel worked, but it is reported that electrification is underway. Nadiad engine shed’s repair area with 0-6-4T WT 595 (WB 2279/1925) receiving attention; 13.12.1979 roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

India_Nadiad_shed_WT_597_2ft-6in_0-6-4T_WT_597__WB_2281_1925__13_12_1979.jpg (117197 bytes)

India_Nadiad_shed_WT_597 Two, 2ft 6in gauge railway lines ran from the Western Railway station of Nadiad: roughly northeast to Kapadvanj, 28 miles (45km) opened 1913 and southwest to Bhadran 37 miles (59km) opened 1914. Diesel locomotives took over from steam until the Bhadran line was totally closed, while the route to Kapadbanj was converted to broad gauge, initially diesel worked, but it is reported that electrification is underway. Nadiad’s station and locomotive shed pilot was 0-6-4T WT 597 (WB 2281/1925); 13.12.1979. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com India_Nadiad_station_WT_597_station_pilot Two, 2ft 6in gauge railway lines ran from the Western Railway station of Nadiad: roughly northeast to Kapadvanj, 28 miles (45km) opened 1913 and southwest to Bhadran 37 miles (59km) opened 1914. Diesel locomotives took over from steam until the Bhadran line was totally closed, while the route to Kapadbanj was converted to broad gauge, initially diesel worked, but it is reported that electrification is underway. The sun has just set at Nadiad, but still visible on the left, in the engine shed yard, is 0-6-2 W 584 which had arrived with T238 Bhadran-Nadiad mixed. Station pilot 0-6-4T WT 597 (WB 2281/1925) moves away the empty stock of that train; 13.12.1979. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

India_Nadiad_station_WT_597_pilot_2ft-6in_0-6-4T_WT_597__WB_2281_1925__13_12_1979.jpg (113197 bytes)

India_Nadiad_station_WT_597_station_pilot Two, 2ft 6in gauge railway lines ran from the Western Railway station of Nadiad: roughly northeast to Kapadvanj, 28 miles (45km) opened 1913 and southwest to Bhadran 37 miles (59km) opened 1914. Diesel locomotives took over from steam until the Bhadran line was totally closed, while the route to Kapadbanj was converted to broad gauge, initially diesel worked, but it is reported that electrification is underway. The sun has just set at Nadiad, but still visible on the left, in the engine shed yard, is 0-6-2 W 584 which had arrived with T238 Bhadran-Nadiad mixed. Station pilot 0-6-4T WT 597 (WB 2281/1925) moves away the empty stock of that train; 13.12.1979. roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

Wt_594_NRM1.jpg (135858 bytes)

Gaekwar's Baroda State Railway Wt 594, C2', WB 1925. National Rail Museum New Delhi, 2012-12-07. tobias b köhler