India: Running out of Steam (part 4) : The Sad Story of Palur & the Last Run of Pondicherry Special
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- Опубліковано 20 вер 2024
- 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.
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 :-)
Beauty of internet, connecting people from different places with experiences from different times. Love to you from India :)
Fun fact, palur now has a new station running electrics
Thank u from India too Bro
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What? Is this old documentary? 😲😲😲😲
Proud to be associated with The Great Indian Railways. ( As a worker in Parel Work Shop ) From 1981 TO 2011.
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G8 sir
Thanks for your service!
enjoy your retirement sir..🙏
Thanks 🙏🙏🙏 for your loving India 👍 railway services 🙏 once again thank you 🎉🙏
Watched this video as a kid in 1996 in national geographic. It was called the Great Indian railway.
Nostalgic. I'm 35 now.
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Hope you have a blissful life God bless you and your family
@@linsoncjohnson thank you
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Me too
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.
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Hello Great to hear that your are a native of this Village.. But I have an question please answer.
Do the Railway line has been upgraded to Broad Gauge or it's just reduced to nothing.
Is the station closed now?
@@ADRMEENA is been upgraded and it is the one of the double line track in CGL-AJJ section
@@kthameem7204 oh That's Great 🤟.
"Nothing evokes the romance of the railways like a steam engine"... I couldn't agree more.
@VK
Did I nail your sister and not marry her ?
@VKü
Perfect thought ....
This was one MAGICAL DOCUMENTARY FILM by NATGEO !!!!!
made every railway lover emotional....
what a story of the stn.Master of Palur ......
Really appreciable effort and amazing documentary. Salute to Great Indian Railways.
Very true
There is nothing emotional in this. This represents poverty
How can I see it in Hindi
@@Aarav-zz1cg doesn't poverty evoke emotions?
This is called documentry, what a masterpiece
I feel sometimes 1970 s and 1980 were golden era coz life was easier with out competition, hatred, greediness, technology , internet etc .
And fitness also
Yes, IG fucked Indian economy then and emergency was imposed and insurgencies were going on in many parts. Must have been a good time for idiots like you.
True sir
Very well said
@@asshivam8117 aap to bas Modi ki mala japo
As a son of a retired Indian Railways employee, this made my eyes teary. The love we have for railways in India, is unmatched.
Long live Indian Railways..
I have experienced this kind of life in my Village.
We had a small station which was made by britishers.
Vintage style station, chairs, gates, window grills, all were vintage.
At night train comes with huge fog and there was just one lantern at the station.
We used to wait in the old waiting hall in chilly winters.
No money, no world class hotel can match that level of leisure and nostalgia.
Sounds like a shit place
I believe you Mr Singh
Oh yes sir!.... I absolutely get you!... I myself have experienced that life in my childhood. That magical time of the late night or that magical hour when the dawn is about to break, chilly winters are at it's peak, fog is everywhere, station is absolutely basic and is open from almost everywhere. Very less closed surroundings, only 1 or 2 lanterns to show the light and visibility and at that time that magical steam engine comes at the station in all it's glory with it's typical sound, all of these memories are heavenly for me!!... Boss, I pity today's kids, they don't know anything about the pleasures of life!... We were the generation that truly lived our childhood. I seriously pity those who haven't seen steam engines in action... I have been lucky enough by God's grace that I experienced that time!
@Tao Ting Mong chup bey love day
I had travel some steam locomovitive engine trains in my childwood and teen ages it was a great expereince , i had very big clock madein England in all the station it was perdectly working co dition although british left to us 47 i dont know what hapoened to those big clocks?
Now palur station is being serviced by suburban trains and Pondicherry passenger still runs
Great
Glad you said it.
GLAD TO KNOW THAT ......WATCHING IN 2019...AFTER 10 YEAR
@@dheerajsingh7003 yes me too
Kumar Bimlendu Shekhar why?
@ 9:34 station master and steam driver emotional looks to each other
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
I agree Mr Freitas.
Thanks for putting in words what I often think but find myself unable to articulate.
So much respect for the railroad works, after the British left over a million slave labor lower caste indians were used to put in the tracks more than a 100,000 died of starvation and abuse.
You are correct. Only after the British left ??? which means that the new owners, the Indians indulged in slave labor. It is the same today, isn't it? Lower caste?? what makes u so superior? You have a nasty ego.
I am retired railway person , now 62, I travelled a lot in steam-driven trains , after the journey your whole dress and your body will be black with ashes , still I loves.
one thing I still remember collecting water from the stations , no bislery or mineral water available. but we didn't have any dysentery or like that
it was a day
I don't know why my heart was heavy and tears rolled out of my eyes when watching this documentary.
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Becos u r a great human !
Life during those days may have been harder but was much more peaceful, simpler, and satisfactory.
This documentary deserves to be awarded.
The last scene always made me cry.... happened again !!!!!
burst of emotions ....
Dil toot sa gaya.
I too cried. I don't know why but I cried !... Railways play such an important part in out life's . My salute to each and every one at Indian Railways for making out journey's memorable and safe.
This whole video will put anyone in tears
I too cried.. With a smile
@@HimanshuGupta-jx4nk Yes, me too shed tears unable to control my emotions.
This is by far the best railway documentary, depicting the golden age of steam engine in India, i remember it seeing on NatGeo when i was 15 yrs old, only i am 33 yrs old, 18 yrs have passed still this documentary make me so emotional, such a great narration and editing.
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...
my grandparents too both ways mum's n dads both served the Indian Railways...
So sad .. that our childrens will never be able to experience such an amazing journey with steam engines .... but we are fortunate enough to travel such class ...
I'm 20 and I haven't travelled in any steam train 🙁
Britishers are still maintaining their old steam engines and wagons... Running as a picnic railway for tourists! Please search 'BlueBell Railway'. They have museum too... with all old steam engine parts and working explained... We also need to create that culture of preserving old and passing it on to our next generation... Actually we were doing... Now the speed of life made us to forget all that..
@@adityakishore4260 I'm 38, I heard about those engines when i was kid. My dad told about his experience. The coo sound, slow speed and those coal dust falls on eyes when you peek out thru the window, and all. I was fond of hearing those train stories and became train lover and used to make small train models and tractions using chart paper and cardboards during my school days. But i got a chance to experience those steam engines at BlueBell Railway, UK on my work related trip. They still maintain old steam engines and wagons and running it's as picnic railway!
@@MahendraBabuRajendran in some places, indian railway also operate steam engine trains
Indian Railways also preserve steam locomotive, and there is a loco shed near Delhi at Rewari which is dedicated to Steam engines and there is a museum also.
Don't show that our Country India is not doing anything to preserve steam locomotive. The reason is you don't have enough information, you don't know but World's oldest operational steam locomotive Fairy Queen locomotive is in India and it is preserved by India only
Even the Indian engineers have increased it's maximum speed upto 90 KM/Hours.
Delhi to Rewari
Delhi to Alwar
Kalka to Shimla
And on many routes in India steam locomotive are still operational
Please cross check your knowledge before commenting anything about India on global platform.
This is how media used to be back then. Bring out beautiful and genuine content that people needed to know. This documentary connects through your emotions so well although you are not a part of this place.
But unfortunately the evolution and growth of media has become a lethal weapon to create contents that start rivalry, hatred, bitterness and wars among people. Sadly, the worst is yet to come
I feel very emotional when ever I watch this video. Not only humans, we, sometimes deeply attach to certain daily activities which directly or indirectly influence changes in our lives and one of them is the train and railways.
The narrator very beautifully pictured the entire episode in such a way that he/she keep holding the emotions of the viewers continuously without giving a scope for any kind of deviation.
As the grandson of two Station Masters with Southern Railways, I found this clip quite moving. The clip transported me to another time and place. A time and place lost forever.
One of the best documentaries in the world. This makes us cry over an inanimate object like trains
My grandfather was a station master .Takes me back to his old train stories !!
Looks clean with out plastic garbages..
The fact that Indian railway, economy and the whole country changed completely now when compared to the time when this video was released 🔥
Yes, changed for the better
"Nothing evokes the romance of the railways like steam engine" .... Very Nostalgic statement ....
Palur station is reopened after GC & now it is electrified also. Missing steam.
+Antu B can u plz tel me the exact adress of palur
please tell me that which tauluk or district.
Between Chengalpattu and Kanchipuram
Station Code: PALR
Zone: SR/Southern
Division: Chennai
indiarailinfo.com/departures/5333
wesleyneo thank you so much 😊
1991-97 வரை தினந்தோறும் இருமுறை இதே பாலூர் நிலையத்தைக் கடந்து சென்ற பழைய நினைவுகள் ... பெரும்பாலும் அமைதியான சூழல்.. அற்புதமான ஊர்
I love my motherland. This documentary made me cry. The steam engines our heritage
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Not your Heritage but British who brought them.
@@alphamale451 come over from your colonial forefathers hangover
I wasn't even born when this documentary was made but it is crazy getting to know the level of transformation has taken place with electrification, meter to broad gauge and much more on the cards ... Just wow ...
The last scene when train's last coach passes by it clearly expressed how a railway station looks without train "miserable", and empty stations with empty track and feeling of there will be no train arrival anymore END OF AN ERA!
😥
It's very sad when decisions that affect the lives of so many people are made primarily on the basis of profitability. This documentary is exactly the kind that I find so fascinating. Thanks to National Geographic.
Seems straight from Malgudi days. South India has the different feeling which cannot be expressed in words.
This documentary on steam engines of their times is so beautifully made. Thanks to NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC and their team for the good work.
What a documentary. Truely inspiring. The invention of James Watt is what I consider the greatest by mankind. I used to travel by TataNagar Express from Chennai, India hauled by a steam locomotive and I still consider those trips every year as the most memorable in my life. The railways ought to have retained this fleet as they could have always served as an alternative to depleting petroleum products......MISSING THEM REALLY....VAIDYNATHAN, CHENNAI, INDIA
I watched this as a kid… fell in love with steam trains and even cried when I watched the documentary towards the end because the soundtrack really got to me. Many years later I am watching this again and I still feel emotional after watching it. :,)
The intersection of the two stories of two railway employees brought tears to my eyes in the end... Great job.
Nice documentary. Became nostalgic as a person involved in the gauge conversion of this section two decades back.
Searching for this documentry for past several years. I first watched it on national geographic 15 years back when I was a kid. Didn't know if I will ever see it again. And there I am, at 3 am watching it again like a dream. Splendid. Moments like these are rare, but memorable. Thank for posting this here.
Proud grandson of railway man.
My grandfather was steam engine driver during British Raj.
My salute to thouse loco pilot who drive steem locomotive. Its a very very tough job as we are now driving diesel and electric loco.
My dad was steam locomotive driver but he retired in the year 2012.
My father worked on Southern Railway Madras for 35 years first on Steam and then electric . The steam age was the best .
This documentary made me cry😭
A heart wrenching short film, with a calm voice over .. though more than 2 decades have gone , feel sorry for the Station Master and his Assistant ..
Very beautiful_ 💟, It felt like a Ruskin Bond / Malgudi Days story .... thank you for this awesome work_ 🙏
Thanks for the movie clip! In Russia, these frames were shown together with the film "Love These Trains" by ational Geographic's in 2001, I remembered this film for the rest of my life, then I searched for the disc in stores for a long time, but I never found it.
But in my life I was lucky to admire steam locomotives, near my house in Moscow a depot with steam locomotives for tourist flights was restored. That is why I hear steam whistles and sounds of steam engines every day. I often go to admire the live locomotives.
I have no words to express the love I have for this country
Never searched for trains in India literally ever
UA-cam in 2020: take this nearly 11 year old video to educate yourself on the subjec of Palur
It's a 1996 national geographic documentary
@@cluBMallu The documentary is too good. There is some kind of life to it which today many documentaries are missing.
@@vishnup6232 Yes it reminds us something down the memory lane....
I got this recommendation right after I travelled through rajdhani 🧐
@@navpreetsingh9815 you booked ticket online?
This station has developed a lot now.
The video mentions that the station will be closed down. So is it still running?
@@kaymadd Yes.
My Grandfather was also a station master.......Superb Documentry......Also got a chance to see steam locomotives in Chennai ICF museum....From a railway lover.....
Proud to say that I lived in that era while in high school. Trust me, we enjoyed such trains with full heart. Now having seen most modern trains in India and Europe also there is special love in my heart for such trains. If ever there is a time machine I love to visit those days again, and again and again.
8:34 classic..the rush of nostalgia is making my heart heavy..what a beautiful sight
Highly emotional video. Thanks for highlighting this. I salute Govindarajan, Thandapani and other support staffs who worked tirelessly in Indian Railways.
Really sad story.. I hope this should come back to life.. One day..
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What a beautiful and magnificent and devoted their duties and beautiful job and this moment I have seen this away remember that remain in my memory as my four generation served to my Indian railway.I love my railway management who took works from their heart.my salute always remain for railway
Don’t know why, but that just brought tears to my eyes - maybe because I have had so much emotions with steam locomotives and once upon a time was part of this railway journey and romance with small railway stations
My dad started off his journey as a station Master in a small station in 1986, although initially he didn't enjoy his job, as he wanted to work in a bank but eventually he enjoyed the bond that he had developed over his entire course of his journey with the Railways.
i feel proud that how much we have changed we have done lot of hardwork. we are going and going we r not going to stop.
Moving experience to watch this. Steam engines inspired awe and veneration, and also love. Compared to the diesel and electric monsters, they looked so human. Each engine had a personality! We loved to stand and watch them. As schoolboys, we would always wave hands and salute the engine drivers! And most would reciprocate. Those were lovely days. Now everything is impersonal/ inhuman in the name of progress!
whenever I hear the sounds of steam engine my heart so melts and tears flow from my eyes automatically...my father (D.Arulraj) who was a Mechanic of Steam engine in Madurai Loco shed.
Palur is my uncle native place... I enjoyed my child wood days.. steam engine riding very enjoyable..Best and beautiful village.. memories remember
Yeah you surely had beautiful deep memories
I was moved by the documentary and did a quick check. Happy to announce that the Palur station is functional today with couple of trains having a stop 🙂
Nostalgia and tears!
Man thats emotional ! Was on the verge of rolling tears
So youtube recommends this after 10 years 😅
Myself as station master now , really gread golden days were then,but I was unlucky to born early 😊to work earlier,just saw them as childhood those steam engines and red coaches,very heart breaking documentary and nice presentation, brought tears in eyes.😰
A train video made me sad and cry.
Am I so weak emotionally ?
This documentary displays the true magic of the 90's which was possible to be narrated by a video, which was human connection, no extra effects no BS. We can actually feel how well the scenes were filmed, even by watching this video without audio once can actually make out whats happening, excellent direction.
their is different pleasure in watching these type of documentaries. I feel different vibes ☺️☺️
Very Very Touching. There was a certain romance which has come to an end. The station master and the driver too have retired. And the station is closed. Certainly Indian Railways played a great great role in connecting people to Very remotest places. With change of times, they will only be a part of history. So very touching and a deep sense of nostalgia. Thank you for this video.
I grew up during the age of steam engines. Have picked up coal that had fallen off the engine from the station trackside near my village in TN as I saw the steam engine trains go by. Came back home covered in black coal dust every time! Make no mistake; these engines did pollute quite a bit. I am nostalgic about those simpler times but going electric was necessary. My village station vanished 30+ years ago and even 20 years ago there was no sign that it ever existed..
Which village are you from good sir?
@@livinlifeat60mph Nainaragaram, TN
We were residing at Railway Quarters at Palur near station ! My father was PWI inspector and was in charge of track from Chengalpattu to Kanchipuram during 1972 to 1980 ! I use to go to college by Second Conjeevaram passenger and return by first conjeevaram ! Now the quarters where we lived was demolished and Rail Neer factory is constructed !
My village palur I impressed.thank you so much
I am from Pondicherry, now the station running. This documentary make me warm..💐💐💐
Kamakshi one of the many humans unknown to the world. Really moving
That was some top class narration and direction! This whole scene felt like a poetry!
Trains have been so very close to my heart since my childhood. A Train journey can teach us lot of things for life.
I am very much grateful to National GEographic for making this beautiful documentary on Indian Railways and Palur station in part. Brings back fond memories of they years I spent as a child in steam engines I being born in the late 60s we were a part of the scene and traveled a lot in these trains. Unforgettable memories we carry still in our hearts and soul. Thanks again NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC for this very beautiful documentary which is award worthy. A special thanks to all involved in the making of this documentary. THANKS AND GREETINGS FROM INDIA
Very emotional.. Made me feel like crying.
What make you cry Ass hole
MR Govinda Rajan station master he took Demotion from a Bigger Station Choosing Near his Sweeper Kamakshi widow
Mr Govinda Fuck Everyday Kamakshi
Railway not only connects places but more importantly people ........
That's Bon voyage
Palur is now on electrified broad gauge, hosting 6000HP engines
If its of any consolation, Palur station is newly built and running now!
Vedere i bambini che corrono verso il treno mi riempie di gioia ,lo facevo anch'io quand'ero bambino .Grazie you tube
I watched this documentary when it aired on National Geographic the first time, with my entire family in Chicago. It left us all spellbound. This is one of the best documentaries on Indian railways ever produced IMO. Simply brilliant.👌👍👍👍🙏
Am I the only one wit tears ?
No bro we too
Every station in Indian railways has a story with lots of emotions
Thank you UA-cam for recommending this video in 2020
Steam engines lived and had spirit. They were temperamental and had a heart beat and they commanded (and still do command) so much awe and inspiration that no diesel or electric train can ever hope to. What folly by govt to condemn most of them to the cutting yards. For me, I'de condemn governments to the cutting yards and bring back these steam beauties.
Electric trains > steam ones because electric trains so much class and history behind them
Excellent piece of documentary. 60 plus years of nostalgia. The old Indian railway. Nothing wrong in saying that all the technological development in every field that we see today in India owe to the old Indian Railway. Both in war times and in peace times old Indian railway served its best. No other modes of transportation had the ability to do that task that much efficiently . The railway personnel in the old Indian railway were prudent beyond expectation in delivering their duties. Excellent video, very well produced.
The old meter gauge system including steam locomotives, semaphore signals, ball token was full of simplicity making everyone connect to the railway system emotionally. The new age broad gauge, electric system has absolutely no soul !!
Then the old horse car would have been way more emotional than old meter guage train system, but we learn to grow and adopt what we invent.
You are an idiot. Steam locomotives cause more pollution
@@avikchaki1807 They sure cleaned the platforms with that side-steam though.
For those who comment against Pranav, adoption of New technology is a good thing but should not be done at the cost of things that should not be lost. It's like leaving our parents bcoz we got wife for all our comforts . Although parents are physically weak. We should preserve them IMHO.
@ദേശീയവാദി Of course it is MY personal opinion !!! When did I impose it on others?
Thanks to the UA-cam algorithm for recommending this classic video on my feed.
I am soo glad this came into my Recommendation. 🙂
Did this video make anyone else also cry? I don't know why...
Like Mlgudi days..
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So True and beautiful than today's Ugly Stations and dirty tracks..
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I travelled on a steam engine between tanjoor and trichy way back in 1994. The train was the life line of trade in the rural areas along the route. This documentary definitely took me back to those days.. nostalgic 😊
Those government staffs are known for punctuality. Their life is more rhythmic lifestyle...simple and easy living.
Now I am no longer in tamilnadu nor India. I miss those places.. Will love to visit some day and take the train for the memories.
Proud to be part of most prestigious organization in India that is Indian Railways. My whole family serve the Indian railways ,My Grandfather My father and now me serving the nation. Thank you Indian railways
Excellent documentary! It took me to 1980's when I worked as a station master in Goa section. Trains with steam engines had a majestic appearance. The steam engines had a swinging motion while moving that added to its beauty. A distant view of a fast moving train on broad gauge tracks in plain terrain of Andhrapradesh is still in my mind
their style of narration and documentary can make cry even in cool birthday party 😅
THIS video leads towards my childhood.
The loud voice of steam engine was
a part of whole villege .
NO NEED OF WATCH.
EVERY THING ACCORDING
TO ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE.
THE EARLY WHEECAL OF
TRAIN AT DAWN STARTS
THE DAY, AND LAST DEPARTER
OF TRAIN ENDS THE DAY.
THANKS FOR THIS VIDEO.
👍
Well if it helps, Palur is back in operation. But there are major changes. Its now an all electric station on the Chenglepet sub urban line to Chennai. It has a lot more hustle bustle and the staion building is better but the charm......
...is lost ??
Greetings from DURBAN South Africa. My maternal grandfather was one of the indentured labourers who came from from Chengelpet to South Africa in the early 1900's. Watching this lovely documentary makes me think of him travelling in one these steam trains. That's how life was, but now its all history; it will not come back - but the memory will linger in our hearts. I love India our motherland.
@V R counted as south africans :)
@V R there is none unfortunately. Also there is no such category as black or white. Only south africans
@V R Hello VR. Although here in South Africa we are known as South Africans, but the majority are the Africans who are the indigenous people of Africa. There are the whites, Indians and Coloureds also make up the other race groups. With immigration, there are many others make up the population of this country.
I hope that answers your question. Thanks.