Every once in a while, I hear IRFCA fans talk or write about the Diamond crossing in Nagpur. The double diamond is actually a unique technology and there are probably very few such junctions in the world today. The Nagpur double diamond can be seen on Wikimapia clearly at Coordinates: 21°9'30"N 79°5'24"E and is formed as the Mumbai-Howrah Mainline crosses the Udhampur-Kanyakumari main line.
In fact, this double diamond junction has probably been photographed so often that railways fans across India feel that this is the only place where a double junction with diamond can be seen. But that is half the truth! Yes! There is another double diamond crossing in India!!!!
Surprised! The second and the oldest double junction with diamond exists in Delhi, more precisely on the outskirts of the Old Delhi Railway Station. This double diamond junction is at 28°39'45"N 77°13'11"E and is formed by tracks coming from New Delhi Railway Station and tracks coming from Karnal/Punjab. There is not only a double diamond but there are five diamonds at the same place and another diamond a little ahead on the tracks going towards Punjab.
I was actually unaware of
this and but was well guided by Mr. Vishwanathan (IRFCA, Delhi - visva1954). I don't think I could have found this Double Diamond junction without his help! Thanks Visva!!
Both of us went for the sole purpose of finding is double diamond junction today. We reached the Old Delhi railway station and from there went straight to the Duffrin Bridge (Wikimapia: Coordinates: 28°39'43"N 77°13'15"E). We checked it out from over the bridge. Due to the confusing and haphazard catenary there, it was not easy to take the picture and the sun was also against the camera but then my Canon S5 IS did the job.
While taking the Double Diamond Junction, we saw some Train and Loco movements like:
In fact, this double diamond junction has probably been photographed so often that railways fans across India feel that this is the only place where a double junction with diamond can be seen. But that is half the truth! Yes! There is another double diamond crossing in India!!!!
Surprised! The second and the oldest double junction with diamond exists in Delhi, more precisely on the outskirts of the Old Delhi Railway Station. This double diamond junction is at 28°39'45"N 77°13'11"E and is formed by tracks coming from New Delhi Railway Station and tracks coming from Karnal/Punjab. There is not only a double diamond but there are five diamonds at the same place and another diamond a little ahead on the tracks going towards Punjab.
I was actually unaware of
this and but was well guided by Mr. Vishwanathan (IRFCA, Delhi - visva1954). I don't think I could have found this Double Diamond junction without his help! Thanks Visva!!Both of us went for the sole purpose of finding is double diamond junction today. We reached the Old Delhi railway station and from there went straight to the Duffrin Bridge (Wikimapia: Coordinates: 28°39'43"N 77°13'15"E). We checked it out from over the bridge. Due to the confusing and haphazard catenary there, it was not easy to take the picture and the sun was also against the camera but then my Canon S5 IS did the job.
While taking the Double Diamond Junction, we saw some Train and Loco movements like:
- TKD WDP 3A 15521 with empty rakes of a passenger train
- GZB WAP 7 30232 standing idle
- Katni WDG 3A 14545 running light
- TKD WDP 3A 15536 with another Passenger
- LDH WDM 3A 16664 standing idle
Once I had taken a couple of shots of the Double junction with Diamond from the top of the bridge, we decided to move down to the tracks to take a closer look. We were able to reach there after a long walk from the next bridge near the railway colony. But believe me, the walk is not going to be a pleasant one with all the stink, the garbage, and the people living in small tents on either side of
the tracks. Anyways, we did walk down and reached the double diamond although pictures taken from down below did not have the same depth nor the same impact as the diamonds looked from way above.So finally, we went back on the bridge for one final look at the Double Diamond or double crossing, which has excited us so much that we were hardly able to conceal it. From there, we took the railways tracks to walk down to NDLS (New Delhi Railway Station).
But guys, it is an AWESOME Double diamond!!! You should check it out!!
You can check the images of the Double Diamond Junction at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31386311@N08/3399814030/in/set-72157610926484952/
From:
Parthajit Dasgupta
Vishwanathan
