Jammu Tawi to Jodhpur by Jammu Express. EP-1: Jammu Tawi to Jalandhar City Jn over the N. Rly.

Date- 5-03-2024.
Episode 1: Journey from Jammu Tawi to Jalandhar Cantonment Jn over the Ferozepore (Firozopur) Division of Northern Railway.
Boarding the 19224 Jammu Express from Jammu Tawi Railway Station, the chill of winter surrounds me as I step onto the platform. It's around 7 o'clock in the morning, and the station is bustling with activity. After a quick refreshment, I settle into my seat, ready for the journey ahead. At approximately 8 o'clock, the train slowly pulls out of the station, marking the beginning of our adventure. For the majority of its journey, the train is propelled by an Electro Motive Diesel engine, maintaining its diesel-powered operation until my arrival point at Jodhpur.
Historic Relevance:
The Jammu-Jalandhar line serves as a vital link connecting Kashmir with Jalandhar Cantonment, intersecting the Delhi line and the Amritsar line in Punjab. Under the administrative jurisdiction of the Ferozepore (Firozpur) division of Northern Railway, this crucial line came into existence post-Indian Independence in 1947.
Before partition, trains to Jammu (Tawi) followed routes via the Grand Trunk line to Amritsar, then onwards to the Lahore-Wazirabad Main line, before switching onto the branch line towards Sialkot and Jammu. Another route branched off from Amritsar Jn, crossing the Ravi River and proceeding towards Jassar Junction, connecting further with Narowal and Sialkot branches.
However, post-partition, rail links to Jammu from the east of Punjab in India were severed as both these routes traversed through the newly created Pakistan. In response, Northern Railway extended the Mukerian branch from Mukeria to Pathankot Junction. This involved train reversals at Pathankot Jn station and laying fresh Broad-gauge track to Jammu Tawi station. Consequently, the old Jammu station was abandoned, and a new station was constructed.
As of October 1st, 1967 Northern Railway vintage Time Table, the railway track had been extended from Pathankot Jn to Kathua, though passenger traffic didn't commence until the 1970s. This 216 km line holds strategic importance for Indian Military and Defence.
The Jammu-Jalandhar City line boasts numerous major and minor bridges, each playing a crucial role in facilitating smooth rail travel. Among them, standout structures include the 1.00 km-long bridge over the River Unjh at Vijaypur Jammu, the 1.09 km-long bridge spanning the Basantar River at Samba, and the 1.23 km-long bridge crossing the Degh Nalah at Ghagwal. Additionally, the 2.16 km-long Ravi River Bridge at Madhopur, the 0.225 km-long Chakki River Bridge at Pathankot, and the 1.38 km-long Beas River Bridge at Mirthal serve as vital links along this important railway line. As trains traverse the Ravi River, they transition into the Punjab dominion, marking the return of normal mobile network operations that remain closed in the Jammu and Kashmir dominion. The initial station within the Punjab dominion following the Ravi River crossing is Madhopur Punjab.
Our Journey:
Around 10 in the morning, as we approach Pathankot Junction station, I notice the Pathankot Bypass line. This new route has diverted many premium express and mail trains, enabling them to bypass the main station, Pathankot Junction, and head directly to Pathankot Cantonment station after departing from Bharoli Junction. This efficient route allows trains from Kashmir to proceed directly towards Pathankot Cantonment, bypassing Pathankot Junction station and continuing on to Mukeria and then to Jalandhar Cantonment.
At Pathankot Junction, our train, 19224, undergoes a reversal and briefly halts for approximately 20 minutes before resuming its journey. From Pathankot Junction, the train proceeds directly to Pathankot Cantonment station. Along the route to Jalandhar, I encounter Mukeria station, evoking memories of my ancestral history. It was from this very place that my forebears embarked on a journey to the United Provinces, modern-day Uttar Pradesh, approximately a century ago.
As the clock strikes 1:30 in the afternoon, our train, 19224, pulls into Jalandhar City Junction station. Jalandhar Cantonment Junction serves as a pivotal point on the Grand Trunk line, connecting northwards to Amritsar and southwards to Delhi Junction. Additionally, branches extend towards Hoshiarpur and Mukerian from this junction. Moving northward, Jalandhar City Junction, located on the main line towards Amritsar, features branches leading to Lohian Khas Junction via Kapurthala and an alternative route via Nakodar Junction. These lines beyond Lohian Khas Junction further connect with Ferozepore Cantonment Junction station.
Part one of our journey concludes here at Jalandhar City Jn station, but stay tuned for the continuation of our voyage to Jodhpur in the upcoming episode.

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Badiya coverage

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Thank you.

[@shivkishorebishnoi]

Nice start..