Goodbye to Diesels - The End of An Era. North Bengal Diesel Action, Kanchanjungha Express

A journey from Guwahati to Bolpur, undertaken on the day when the final inspections were being conducted for electrification of the Rampurhat-Malda stretch. The journey is undertaken one a lovely autumn day in early October, 2018 aboard the Kanchanjungha Express, powered by a Malda WDM3A. We pick up the action from early morning, a little after crossing New Cooch Behar. The Malda Alco chugs through the plains amidst the morning mist descending from the Himayalan foothills. Things clear up post New Jalpaiguri and the Kanchankanya races towards central Bengal under the autumn sun. At Malda, we see the first signs of change, a Howrah WAP4 with its pantograph lowered waits to take over duties. We cross the Farakka barrage after Malda and swing southwards towards southern Bengal, crossing the dry tracts towards Rampurhat and Bolpur amidst a setting sun. Major crossings include: 1. Teesta Torsha Express 2. Kamrup Express 3. Kanchankanya Express 4. Darjeeling Mail 5. Padatik Express (twin Bardhaman WDM3As) 6. Jhajha Dibrugarh Express 7. Kanchanjungha Express 8. Tambaram Dibrugarh Express (twin Andal Alcos) 9. A route diverted Vikramshila Express 10. New Jalpaiguri Shatabdi Express 11. Kaziranga Express