Roller Coasting Trains raising like huge Snakes over the super monster gradients , something which is not commonly found across all parts of the Indian Railways. These gradients are largely found in the Deccan plateau where the terrain is extremely rough and uneven. The South Western Railway Zone of Indian Railways stands top when it comes to these Monster Gradients how ever the average speed of Trains in the Zone takes a major dip due to the unavailability of flat straight lines. The freight trains especially require High Horse Powered Locomotives to work efficiently in these terrains, most of the freight trains here are operated by EMD's either Single or Double depending on the load they need to carry for sufficient braking and to avoid Wheel slips, never the less ALCo's still do wonders.
Those engines must have the torque of 10 thousand elephants. That is what I said on the youtube page, LOL!
Winter is generally maintenance time for these antiques. They're used around Christmas for specials, but otherwise are usually in use when the potential customer numbers are greatest.
5 years ago on Hemerdon Bank to the west of, and heading towards, Totnes.
This class of locomotive was the regular motive power here in steam days but usually with two locos, so she did well on her own. The peak of the incline is at the bridge on which the camera man stands and you can hear her speed up after hitting the flat.
The Dartmouth Steam Railway are running the Train Of Lights again this year. I haven't seen any YouTube posts yet, just facebook, so here's an extended clip from last year.