Olympic Park, London

The Olympic Park is a sporting complex which will be used for the 2012 Summer Olympics and the 2012 Summer Paralympics. It will contain the athletes' Village and several  of the sporting venues including the Olympic Stadium and Aquatics Centre. The park will be overlooked by ArcelorMittal Orbit, an observation tower and Britain's largest piece of  public art. After the Olympics, the park is to be known as Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II.

Here are some pictures.....

i) Aerial view of the Olympic Stadium which will host the athletics events during the London 2012 Olympic Games.

                                                                                              

ii) Aerial view looking South West of the Olympic Park, with the Olympic Stadium, Aquatics Centre below on the left and the Water Polo Arena on the right which will host the athletics, swimming and water polo respectively during the London 2012 Olympic Games.

                                                       

iii) A general view of the Olympic Stadium as builders work on lowering the final piece to get the London 2012 ArcelorMittal Orbit sculpture completed at the Olympic Park.

                                                      

iv) This handout image, provided by the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA), shows an aerial view of the Velodrome, on December 5, 2011 in London, England. Parts of the track are covered to protect it during overlay work by LOCOG required to turn the stadium into an Olympic venue.

                                                              

v) In this handout image provided by the Olympic Delivery Authority, an aerial view reveals the atheletes warm up track alongside the Olympic Stadium in the London 2012 Olympic Games Park on December 5, 2011 in London, England. The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) today re-released the new aerial images showing the transformation of the Olympic Park on the eve of Olympic and Paralympic year.

                                                             

vi) The Olympic Stadium is pictured in Olympic Park during previews ahead of the London Olympic Games.

                                                               

vii) In this handout image provided by the Olympic Delivery Authority, an aerial view looking west reveals the Aquatics Centre, Water Polo Centre and the Olympic Stadium in of the London 2012 Olympic Games Park on December 5, 2011 in London, England. The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) today re-released the new aerial images showing the transformation of the Olympic Park on the eve of Olympic and Paralympic year. 

                                                          

viii) Visitors on a guided walking tour of the area surrounding the London 2012 Olympic Park pass near the main stadium on February 8, 2012 in London, England. Up to 150 people at a time have taken the 2 hour, 3 mile walk around the Olympic site.

                                                        

ix) An Aerial view of the turf inside London's 2012 Olympic Stadium, which will be ripped up and replaced after the Games.

                                                         

x)  An Aerial view of the Olympic Basketball Arena in the Olympic Park, Stratford.

                                                          

xi) Armed police officers patrol the Olympic Park during day two of the BUCS VISA Athletics Championships 2012 LOCOG Test Event for London 2012 at the Olympic Stadium.

                                                              

xii) General view of the Olympic Stadium during day two of the BUCS VISA Athletics Championships 2012 LOCOG Test Event for London 2012 at the Olympic Stadium.

                                                            

xiii) Parallympic gold medalist archer Danielle Brown during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Stadium during day two of the BUCS VISA Athletics Championships 2012 LOCOG Test Event for London 2012 at the Olympic Stadium.

                                                          

xiv) Competitors run through the water splash in the Men's 5000m steeple chase during day four of the BUCS VISA Athletics Championships 2012 - LOCOG Test Event for London 2012 at Olympic Stadium.

                                                    

xv) A general view of the ArcelorMittal Orbit Sculpture, Water Polo and Aquatics Centre inside the Olympic Park during the Sainsbury's 2012 UK School Games at the Olympic Stadium.

                                                      

xvi)  A general view of the the ArcelorMittal Orbit sculpture standing in front of the Olympic Stadium in the Olympic Park.

                                                             

xvii) General view of the Hockey Stadium at the Olympic Park on July 14, 2012 in London, England.

                                                               

xviii) The Welcome Signage displays at the main entrance to the Olympioc Stadium at the Olympic Park.

                                                            

xix) A general view of the Hockey Stadium at the Olympic Park.

                                                        

xx) A general view of the Olympic Stadium during previews ahead of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Olympic Park.

                                                              

xxi) A general aerial view of the Olympic Stadium at dusk at the 2012 Olympic Park.

                                                            

xxii)  General view of the Olympic Stadium at the Olympic Park.

                                                              

xxiii) The Olympic Stadium reflected in a viewing mirror at the Olympic Park.

                                                         

xxiv) A general view of the Olympic Stadium.

                                              

xxv)  A general view of the Olympic stadium by night.

                                                         

xxvi) London Olympic Park-Aquatic Center.

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Nilgiri Mountain Railway

Built by the British in 1908 and operated by the then Madras Railway, the Nilgiri Mountain Railway was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005. The railway operates from Mettupalayam in Tamil Nadu's Coimbatore district to Ooty, the headquarters of the Nilgiris district, and covers a distance of 46 kilometres, making 10 station stops in all. The railway has the steepest track in Asia with a maximum gradient of 8.33%. The railway operates on the rack-and-pinion system, designed by Swiss locomotive engineer Roman Abt. From Mettupalayam, the train is hauled by Swiss-made 'X' Class steam rack locomotives. At Coonoor, a diesel locomotive takes over and pulls the train into Ooty. PAWAN KOPPA, a railfanner and a member of the Indian Railways Fan Club, recounts a memorable journey on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway.

On a cold morning, a crowd of people rush to board the 662SR Mettupalayam-Udhagamandalam (Nilagiri) Passenger.

The 'X' Class steam Rack Locomotive arrives from its shed to take charge of the 662SR up to Coonoor while a signboard welcomes passengers to the Nilgiri Mountain Railway.

A view of the sidings at Mettupalayam for the Nilgiri Mountain Railway. The ones for broad gauge are on the right. The NMR track is 1000 mm (3 ft and 3 3/8 inches) wide.

The 'X' class loco arrives on the platform before being coupled to the rake.

Curious onlookers try to figure out the working of the X class loco as it is coupled to the Nilagiri Passenger.

The dinky steam loco puffs up steam at Mettupalayam station.

All coupled, the loco is set to push the train up the tough gradient of the Nilgiris.

Early morning rays do not diminish the wonder generated by three steam outlets - Kallar.

At Kallar, a board welcomes passengers to the dense forest at the beginning of the NMR. It is here that the rack-and-pinion system begins.

The NMR departs from Kallar and chugs up the mighty hills.

A close-up of the rack-and-pinion system, which holds the rake against slippages on the steep gradients.

An unexpected midway halt brings curious passengers out of their seats. A rack had broken up ahead on the way and the gangmen had noticed it late the previous evening. They were well prepared this morning and went ahead and replaced the faulty rack.

Cameras click all around us as every tourist becomes a railfan on this wonderful and memorable journey. There are 108 curves, 16 tunnels and 250 bridges on the 46-km stretch of the NMR.

This cute little engine needs a lot of water in its belly. At Hillgrove, the steam loco gets a water fill while passengers also stop for refreshments.

Famished passengers people nearly attacked the vendor of the small shop at Hillgrove. All for a cup of Nilgiri tea in the heart of the mountains to complete a picture of heaven!

The loco takes a breather at Hillgrove.

At 1408 m above sea level, the mountain air inspired passengers to get out at every opportunity.

Take one look at the breathtaking beauty of the terrains that this train navigates and it's clear why the NMR truly deserves to be a World Heritage Site!

As the NMR negotiates a bridge, trigger-happy passengers capture the view.

At Coonoor, it's time for change. Two generations of locomotives flank each other. After a fantastic job pushing up the gradient, the 'x' Class moves away while a workhorse of an era gone by steps in to push the passenger train from Coonoor to Udhagamandalam.

The steam loco shed at Coonoor.

 Journey Ends....

Dudhsagar Falls

Dudhsagar Falls (दुधसागर धबधबा in Marathi; ದೂದಸಾಗರ್ ಜಲಪಾತ in Kannada; English translation: Sea of Milk ) is a tiered waterfall 

located on the Mandovi River in the state of Goa, India, on Goa's border with the state of Karnataka. It is 60 km from Panaji.

Location:

The falls is in the border of Karnataka and Goa and the roads leading to it are maintained by the Goa Forest Department, and are 

closed in the rainy season. The roads are again opened from the month of October. At its base, there is a small pond. 

One can bath but in their own risk. There are also fishes in the pond and the water is very cold, even in the afternoon. 

The Waterfall is located inside the Bhagwan Mahavir Wild Life Sanctuary at Collem in South Goa along the western Ghats.

The surrounding area is surrounded by a deciduous forest and there are many species of birds, insects, plants and animal abound here.

The waterfall:

Dudhsagar is one of the world's most exquisite falls that lies in India.The falls lie high up in the Mandovi River's watershed and so are not particularly spectacular during the dry season. During the monsoon season however, the falls are transformed into one of the most powerful falls in India.

Dudhsagar Falls is listed as India's 5th tallest waterfall,and is 227th in the world at 310 m. The water plummets hundreds of feet in large volumes during the monsoon season, forming one of the most spectacular natural phenomena in Goa. It is a major part of the Goa ecosystem.This is a four tiered waterfall with a total height of 310 meters (1017 feet) and an average width of 30 meters (100 feet)

Transport:

The Water Fall can be reached both by road and rail. It can be reached by road from the National Highway (NH-4A). The nearest Station to the falls is Collem (South Central Railway); And the route for rail to reach the falls from Goa is Collem-Mollem - 6 km and then, Carambolim (Karmali Railway Station - Konkan Railways) and Carambolim-Old Goa-Ponda-Tiska-Mollem (total 50 km) by road. But entering the park and mountains which lead to the falls is not advisable in a normal car, and may only be accessible to SUV's and 4WD jeeps, as the road comprises a jungle track that has rivers criss crossing it at several points. The driver drops one just near the falls from where one may have to walk 1 kilometer ahead, crossing over small ways carved through the rocks at the foot of the falls. This waterfalls lies on the Londa-Margaon railway route.

The falls is in the border of Karnataka and Goa and the roads are maintained by the Goa Forest Department, and are closed in the rainy season. The roads are again opened from the month of October. 

The train route to reach the falls from Karnataka is as follows:

    Hubli

    Dharwad

    Londa

    Tinaighat

    Castle Rock

    Dudhsagar

Trekking:

Trekking in Dudhsagar is a famous tourist attraction. There are 2 abandoned shelters for the refuge of trekkers (left to the falls and right side beside the railway track) however they are available on the first come first serve basis. Medical and pure drinking water facilities are not available around Dudhsagar but one can approch the station guard at Dudhsagar railway station in emergency. There are 4 possible routes to reach Dudhsagar Falls, of which only two are accessible in monsoon.

Route 1 (Castle Rock Route)

This is the most famous route during the monsoon, Reach Castle Rock station and start a Scenic 14 km hike to Dudhsagar Water falls along the railway track, it normally takes 5–6 hours for a normal person to reach.In this route we will be passing through a number of tunnels, a board reading "Welcome to Goa" and also great views of the Valley.

Route 2 (Kulem Route)

This is equally scenic but less popular as compared to Route 1, One has to get down at Kuhlem/Collem Railway station and walk towards the falls which is about 11 km away. It normally takes 4–5 hours for a normal person to reach. The famous photograph of Trains passing through before the waterfalls can be seen in this route, and also the complete strecth of the falls will be visible while you hike towards the waterfalls.

Route 3 (Transport + Hike)

In Kulhem one can hire a 4X4 to reach the foot of the Dudhsagar waterfalls, There is a taxi stand called 'Dudhsagar Taxi stand' where one can hire a vehicle and get dropped near the falls which is 1 km hike from the dropping point. This is used in the post-pre monsoon season and is suitable for large groups with kids and ladies.

Route 4 (Kuveshi-Dudhsagar)

This is the most adventurous route and cannot be attempted in monsoon since we have to cross Mondovi river during the hike. The hike starts from a village called Kuveshi around 10 km from Castle Rock railway station. The hike is through thick jungle and is difficult to complete without experience. By this we can reach Dudhsagar Railway station which is 1 km from the falls.

In Pictures:

Flags flying, horns blaring, the Howrah-bound Amaravati Express charges down the gradient somewhere between Alnavar and Londa railway junctions.

A green blanket for Mother Earth somewhere between Alnavar and Londa junctions.

 The mood sets in as the sky showers raindrops.

A freight train hauled by a locomotive in a nice yellow cream livery switches line as it pulls into Londa Junction on a chill, wet evening.

The freight train led by the twin locos slowly slides between the rows of poles.

Men at work at Londa Junction. Many hands make light of heavy work. These are the muscles that run Indian Railways.

Welcome to Braganza, the sign announces the beginning of the trek. A yellow-cream WDG-4 #12010 loco works hard as it completes the hard climb up the Ghats. The Braganza Ghats section, on the Castle Rock-Kulem section of the South Western Railways, has gradients that necessitate the usage of locomotives with Auto Emergency Brakes.

Covered with moss, the weather-beaten wall of the old steam loco shed.

The trekkers are ready to enter Tunnel No 1, even as the clouds prepare for another burst. Note the forest above the tunnel!

The sweet smell of air and the constant chirp of birds kept them going as they walked down the ghats. This is the castle Tunnel, Braganza Ghats.

 A small waterfall near the mouth of Tunnel-3, Braganza Ghats.

 The sound made by these beasts (lead locos) was deafening.

Like glowing eyes, a pair of headlights appears around the corner from the misty jungle.

The vasco Express escapes from a tunnel and negotiates a small viaduct as it continues down the Ghats.

 A mid-ghat crossing between two trains.

At Dudhsagar railway station, the atmosphere is electrifying. Here, mist and clouds hover. The trio continues to trek towards Dudhsagar Falls.

The leading locos of Vasco Express are seen across the valley as they pull slowly into Sonalium.

The old cabin and the tunnel signal a welcome relief from rain for a few moments.

 One of the many spectacular glimpses you would get to see here.

 The first view of Dudhsagar Waterfalls.

And away she goes into the mist! Huge cheers resound from a rain-darkened train as it passes the waterfalls. What a breathtaking scene!

Monsoon turns the Dudhsagar Falls into a foaming, majestic torrent justifying its name, which literally means Ocean of Milk.

The Mandovi River, one of Goa's major lifelines, originates in the wet upper reaches of the Western Ghats in eastern Goa, on the border with Karnataka. At Dudhsagar, the Mandovi plunges down 310 metres (about 1017 feet), and claims distinction as India's fifth highest waterfall.

Through veils of misty rain, a rake hauled by twin locomotives equipped with Auto Emergency Brakes carefully negotiates the viaduct across the Dudhsagar Falls

The train moves into the immediate next tunnel, cautiously trundling down the ghats.

 Tunnels and waterfalls - a monsoon spectacle.

The Dudhsagar Falls in all its spectacular glory.  

 As a caboose passes by the falls, the wind shifts and the mist heads in our direction.

Monsoon clouds shower down rapidly, forcing passengers on the platform back into their coaches. Kulem is such a lovely station.

A monsoon portrait of the Dudhsagar falls on a cloudy day with less mist.

At Caranzol, the visibility was as bad as it was couple of days earlier.

At the end of three days of fun, bliss, adventure, surprises and thrills, the railfanning trekkers carry off plenty of pleasant memories.