India: Running out of Steam (part 4) : The Sad Story of Palur & the Last Run of Pondicherry Special

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15 жыл бұрын

These are excerpts from National Geographic's "The Great Indian Railway"(1995), probably the best documentary ever on the Indian Railways. As a young boy, I used to travel to Grandma's place by the Howrah Mail from Madras. In 1989, on one such trip, My dad pointed out to a gigantic engine puffing smoke in the shed at Madras central as our train was leaving and said: "Manu, look, that's a steam engine". I forgot about steam engines later. In 1999(10 years later), I watched the National Geographic's special screening of this documentary on TV. I remembered my encounter with the puffing beasts in 1989. I couldn't stop crying by the end of this documentary. Starting in the early 80's the Steam engines of the Indian Railways have been slowly phased out of all the main lines in favor of Electric and Diesel locomotives due to economic pressures. By the turn of the 90's, it had become a rare sight to see a Steam-driven train. You can buy the DVD or VHS of this 115 minute documentary on nationalgeographic.com. It costs $15 including US local postage.

Пікірлер: 1 000

@user-mm2eq1sp1g 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for uploading such a moving video. When I was a child , I definitely watched this documentary on TV in Japan with the title of "Kisya to Indo-jin(The Steams and Indian People)". About 20 years have passed since then, however, I clearly remember scenes of Palur station and Pondicherry Special even now. Today, I finally found this video and felt so emotive. Mr. Vudayagiri, I give you a sincerely thank from Japan :-)

@dsundersundar3627 3 жыл бұрын

I am being a native of Palur village on the Chengalpet to Arakkonam line the video reminds of memories down the lane running and recollecting my childhood travel by train used run with the support of Steam Loco leaving behind the smoke of coal and beautiful horn. In those days these trains catered the needs of the population of several villagers to commute to Chengalpet and Kanchipuram and Arakkonam. The ticket cost was very meagre. The vegetables, milk and other products from the villages in this route were transported by these trains only. Palur station has got unique reputation that hundreds of Tamil movies were shot in this station. This Palur station was considered to be a lucky spot to commence the shooting. All leading Tamil Heroes right from 1950 had been to Palur station. Thank you very much for making this video and reminded of my native place and taking it to world level. The milk and vegetables were taken to all leading hotels in the then Madras. First Kanchipuram and Second Kanchipuram were famous trains during my college time in 1980s. Employees of ICF , Railway, Madras High court, Secretariat and industries in Madras used to travel by these trains only. Great posting.

@anjankumar3798 3 жыл бұрын

I feel sometimes 1970 s and 1980 were golden era coz life was easier with out competition, hatred, greediness, technology , internet etc .

@gravee83 10 жыл бұрын

Proud to be associated with The Great Indian Railways. ( As a worker in Parel Work Shop ) From 1981 TO 2011.

@hemanthb5622 4 жыл бұрын

Now palur station is being serviced by suburban trains and Pondicherry passenger still runs

@rohitbhushan8855 4 жыл бұрын

"Nothing evokes the romance of the railways like a steam engine"... I couldn't agree more.

@harshavardhankaspa4093 4 жыл бұрын

British always to portray India as very poor country even after independence; but the truth is we have better railroad network than British now...

@arunck5779 3 жыл бұрын

This is called documentry, what a masterpiece

@arunkris7299

Now seeing Indian railways in 2023 , this signaling system feels copper aged

@madhangovindtravelvlog357 Жыл бұрын

Palur station is not closed , u given nice information ,but last u told wrong information , now I am palr superintendent , its still working with more trains..

@cvvenkateswaran 4 жыл бұрын

Watched this video as a kid in 1996 in national geographic. It was called the Great Indian railway.

@alpsmacwan7113 5 жыл бұрын

@debjitmajumder2311 7 жыл бұрын

This was one MAGICAL DOCUMENTARY FILM by NATGEO !!!!!

@subhankarmukherjee8142 Жыл бұрын

As a son of a retired Indian Railways employee, this made my eyes teary. The love we have for railways in India, is unmatched.

@realhbk316 Жыл бұрын

Life during those days may have been harder but was much more peaceful, simpler, and satisfactory.

@MrGilly39 4 жыл бұрын

It was just by accident that I came across this documentary today. It made me cry. With the steam engine had gone people of great noble character. Their love for their job and devotion to duty make such people exceptional. With them went the heartbeat and echo of the hills and valleys. Sad. Very sad. Sydney, Australia

@saurabhbodas9181 4 жыл бұрын

This documentary deserves to be awarded.

@its_tanuj 2 жыл бұрын

I have experienced this kind of life in my Village.

@srk312 4 жыл бұрын

My grandfather was a station master .Takes me back to his old train stories !!

@jacquelinerodrigues7855 3 жыл бұрын

a proud feeling to be associated with the Indian Railways as it down my Dad's life serving the Eastern Railways as a special A grade guard....have very fond memories...