Narrow-Gauge train
The narrow-gauge train used to go from Chhindwara to Barkuhi
The narrow-gauge train stopped in the coalfield area about 23 years ago
One of the longest-running narrow gauge trains in India was Nagpur - Chhindwara - Nainpur - Jabalpur fast passenger. From here the track leads one way towards Nagpur and the other towards Balaghat. It was connected to Nainpur, the focal point of the narrow-gauge railway, in 1904. Nainpur was the focal point of the network that connected Jubulpur with Gondia, Mandla Fort, Chhindwara, and Nagpur. This was one of the longest journeys covered by the narrow gauge train. The Chhindwara-Pench coalfield line came in 1906-07. Now this section is closed for gauge conversion. It is expected that the Broad Gauge (BG) conversion will bring great relief to the people of this area.
Chhindwara was part of the Satpura Railway. Chhindwara-Pench Coalfield Railway opened from Pench and Kanhan coalfields to Chhindwara. Where it was connected to the Satpura railway network in 1906-07.
The first train in the district ran about 116 years ago. The journey of narrow gauge trains continued on the short line for almost 111 years. In December 2015, the journey of narrow gauge trains on Chhindwara to Nagpur and Chhindwara to Nainpur route was stopped. Now trains run from Nainpur. Earlier, the wheels of narrow gauge trains had stopped in the coalfield area. Once upon a time, there used to run narrow gauge trains from Chhindwara to Chandameta, to Barkuhi.
Memories of the journey of Narrow gauge remain in the hearts of the residents of the area. At that time, the South-East-Central Railway train passed through the Chhindwara-Barkuhi branch and then stopped four times at Khirsadoh station.
During that time, the station of Parasia Broad gauge and Narrow gauge was present at the same place. A Narrow gauge train running between Barkuhi and Chhindwara to reach Parasia station passed through Khirsadoh.
Narrow Gauge train reached Khirsadoh station four times-
The narrow-gauge train running between Chhindwara to Badkuhi stopped at Khirsadoh station four times. The train went from Chhindwara via Khirsadoh station to Parasia, Then, through Khirsadoh station, Barkuhi reached from Parasia. In return, the train used to go to Parasia via Barkhuhi to Khirsadoh and after that, the train stopped at Khirsadoh from Parasia to Chhindwara.
The first train started in 1904-
The first train in the district ran from Seoni to Chaurai on 27 July 1904. In September 1904, it was extended to Chhindwara. The work of laying the railway line from Chhindwara to Pench Valley coalfield was completed in 1906-07.
The Nagpur Passenger narrow-gauge train running between Nagpur and Chhindwara covered a distance of 147 km in about eight hours. This narrow-gauge train used to travel through some beautiful natural valleys.
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Three stations ceased to exist-
With the approval of the Central Railway broad gauge line to extend to Chhindwara, the existence of the narrow gauge line running from Chhindwara to Barkuhi came to an end. By the year 1997, the existence of narrow gauge train stations Badkuhi, Chandameta, and Baddhana had ceased to exist. Narrow gauge train running between Nagpur-Chhindwara used to come to Chhindwara via Nagpur, Itwari, Saoner, Lodhikheda, and Sausar.
In the early years of the 70s, the film Tere Mere Sapne, starring Devanand and Mumtaz in the coalfields, also featured the station of the Parasia Narrow gauge train. At that time special train used to run for the Mahadev Chauragarh fair.
When the narrow gauge train running in Chhindwara district of Madhya Pradesh went from Chhindwara Junction to Nagpur, the most beautiful and scenic place was the Kukrikhapa railway station. When the train passed through here, the passengers could see the spectacular view of the water falling from the Kukrikhapa Waterfall. Which people did not forget to capture in their cameras. Now this section has been converted to broad gauge and this beautiful station has been shifted to new broad gauge conversion and the station has been shifted to Bhandarkund which is about 2 - 3 km from this station. Due to this now the travelers will not be able to see the sight of this beautiful and scenic waterfall. There are many benefits of having a new broad gauge but the charm of a narrow gauge will never come back.
There are many memorable tales of narrow gauge trains which are still in the hearts of people. The train used to run at a slow speed of twenty to twenty-five kilometers per hour. Standing at the door or enjoying the view outside from the window. People often liked to see the setting sun. We were filled with freshness with the pleasure that the cool breeze blowing.
For people like you and me who live in cities, whose lives are full of busyness. There is no rest. For people like him, it used to be a very relaxing and refreshing journey. It is our good fortune that we have traveled in SL coach of the narrow gauge train (NG train). Anyone who has traveled by this train can hardly forget the journey made on this train. Till the conversion, the people of this area have to depend on private buses, which are heavy on their pocket.
The production of narrow gauge locomotives and coaches was stopped about 3-4 decades ago. These locos and coaches have been renovated and maintained with utmost difficulty by the Railway staff for daily safe operation.
The 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) narrow gauge railway track between Chhindwara and Nagpur is being converted to a 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) broad gauge. This is expected to change the existing face of Chhindwara Junction. Electrification of the Chhindwara-Amla section is in progress.
When this narrow-gauge train used to run, it used to happen many times that too many passengers used to travel in it. The number of coaches engaged in this train also used to go down. Due to this, passengers were forced to travel even standing at the gate. But now the passengers will not have to worry due to the broad gauge. Also, they will be able to travel in a very short time.
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