Steam on the Janakpur Railway

Nepal: 22.11.2005 - 30.11.2005

Some years ago Nepal's last working narrow gauge railway was dieselised with locomotives supplied by India. However, for economical reasons they kept one steam locomotive serviceable. In 2005 we plan to re-introduce steam operation to this railway for four days. As the daily trains are nearly always overcrowded, special charter passenger trains would appear as only ghost trains. So we have decided to ask the railway to use steam for their scheduled services. This is the only way to get authentic pictures of this most attractive, small railway.

Itinerary

Line description

The Janakpur Railway is a 762 mm gauge line which connects Jaynagar in India with the pilgrim centre in Janakpur. The big temple here is an interesting site and an important place of pilgrimage. As there is no parallel road the railway is still the only way to get there from Jaynagar.

The line is flat and runs almost dead straight towards the north-west to Janakpur. As the lowlands to the foot of the Himalayan mountains see floods every monsoon season, there are many bridges along the line. However, by far the most interesting sights on this railway are their trains. There are many different styles of passenger coaches, for example a two axle wooden first class coach. Also the railway is almost always short of passenger stock, so usually a passenger train also includes some freight wagons. Flat wagons and box cars are normally full of passengers as well as the locomotive itself.

Speed doesn't matter here, so it is easy to jump off the train while it's running, sprint in front of it, take a picture and jump back on the train again. As there are several small ponds and rivers alongside, you should always watch your step while taking pictures of the train. All the passengers on the train will find it most amusing if you make a fool of yourself! If you're not able to run alongside the train and jump on and off (as the locals usually do), you can use one of the frequent stops to leave the train, go a short way beyond the station and wait for the train there. Then you can jump back on the train as it passes. Speed seldom exceeds 15 km/h, so it's not too difficult to jump on. However, always take great care not to miss your step when jumping back on board.

On one day we'll charter a freight train. With this train we'll have all the time we want to get a full range of authentic line shots. We'll start in the early morning to use the cool air which gives us the possibility of having some steam exhaust. The freight train will consist of about five boxcars and five flat wagons. If possible, we'll invite some "blind" passengers on board to give us a "real" freight train appearance. All freight trains were used for carrying passengers when they ran to a schedule several years ago.

The intended "Plandampf" from Darbhanga to Jaynagar will bring back steam to one of the last Indian Railway lines to be steam operated. If Indian Railways will not support the "Plandampf" project we'l charter a train. The line is entirely flat but there are many possible photo positions than we can get with the two planned trains. Following the passenger train by car or charter bus is almost impossible but we have planned two definite photo positions per train. The line passes several rural villages, is lined in places by palm trees and crosses some minor rivers. The line is still as it was during the great period of Indian steam. Please also read the miscellaneous notes regarding this particular event.

Miscellaneous

The tour is planned with the dedicated photographer and video film maker in mind. As we're going to very remote areas, there are neither European style hotels nor European food available. Please expect standards to be as they were in the last century, such as fans instead of air conditioning in hotels, candle lighting during hours of power shortage, unclean rooms and equally unclean surroundings with pigs, cows and - in the evening - mosquitoes everywhere. Carry your own mosquito net with you, the nets the hotels offer may have holes. Carry a good torch with you. Please expect not to be able to recharge batteries for one or two days. After heavy rainfalls, possible even in the dry season, electricity may not be available.

Conditions in this region may not be as stressful in reality as they sound. We're visiting Nepal in the dry season which means that we'll have mostly sunny weather. Beer is available. But, one thing is for sure - the railway is a real delight and will make you forget all the inconvenience you've suffered. Even if you don't fancy jumping on an off a rolling train (which is easier than you might imagine) you'll still get some nice shots. Although there are very few lights around at night, we'll do our best to set up some night shots. So don't forget your tripod.

Although we arrange, confirm and re-confirm the mentioned trains and locomotives well in advance, we can not guarantee that everything is going to work as planned. Nepal and India are always surprising and although taking money from foreigners without offering an adequate service is uncommon it does happen from time to time. The reliability of the Indian state railway in this matter is doubtful. It's a challenge to arrange steam hauled trains in India with what happens - or not - being beyond our control. The only thing we can guarantee is that we have done and will do our very best to make the tour a success. The persons involved from our side are reliable and have encouraged us to include the "Plandampf" in the itinerary.

Price

Prices are not fixed yet!

Land Only (without flight Europe - Delhi): please deduct 545 Euro from the above prices.

Minimum number of participants: 6
Maximum number of participants: 18
Maximum number of participants on November 28th: 38

Please let us know whether you are willing to join a group with less than ten participants or not.

Registration period expires July 31st, 2005.

The price includes:

• Flight from Frankfurt/Main (please ask for fares from other places)
• All transfers in India and Nepal
• All hotels and guesthouses
• Full board without drinks
• Indian and European guide (both English speaking)
• European airport taxes
• Visa for India and Nepal (German residents only)
• Tips for local bus drivers, guides, loco crews etc.

Not included are:

• Personal expenses like telephone, hotel minibar, laundry service
• Visa (non-German residents)
• Indian airport taxes

Prices are based on a block booking with the airline, which is limited. Early booking is much recommended.