Train tracker

A little mass of blue engine pulls into view maneuvering a bend emanating white puffs of smoke from its vents and as it screeches to a halt shrieks of joy ring the atmosphere.

Audio equipment mechanic Suhas Dixit has created a dynamic miniature model of Deccan Queen to enlighten kids on how the railways functions

A little mass of blue engine pulls into view maneuvering a bend emanating white puffs of smoke from its vents and as it screeches to a halt shrieks of joy ring the atmosphere. A 6ft by 4ft model of Deccan Queen at Suhas Dixit8217;s railway exhibition draws not only kids but also the grown ups to admire the little marvels he has created.

8220;My main intention is to organise this show for kids and the grown ups to clear their misunderstandings and misconceptions of Indian Railways and its services and also to explain to them the technical complexities that goes with the whole train journey from start to the end,8221; shares Dixit.

With the model of Deccan Queen, the platform and 12 foot long track Dixit duplicates exactly the real life counterparts with clinical efficiency. Also in his exhibition he showcases the model of the bridge over which the Pune Mumbai trains run. The reason Dixit could breathe life to the model he says is his profession. An Audio equipment repairer by profession Dixit used the expertise of his profession to fuel his passion for trains. My profession and passion co8211;exist that is why I have been able to fulfill this childhood desire that I nourished since long,8221; shares Dixit. Apart from the inanimate objects related to trains Dixit does not forget to feature the animate ones, which also are an inextricable part of the whole station atmosphere. 8221; The men and women at the platform move. I have used uneven magnetic field to do that and the figures have metallic washers attached to the bottom so that they can move.8221;

With a reduction gear motor to breath life in the engine and signal and street lamps to create the whole station ambience Dixit also has showcased the model of the trick shed in his exhibition. 8220;As a kid the curiosity always bubbled inside me as to how trains work. Station and trains always fascinated me and that is why I developed this hobby of making train models,8221; shares Dixit

Since the past seven years Dixit has been organising various exhibitions showcasing miniature models of rural railway, goods train, city railway and hi-Speed trains. For the Deccan Queen show the models are all handmade, including the moving models of the people on the railway platform.

In his 15-20 minutes show Dixit attempts to present the entire functioning of the train with minute details like the technical conversation between Station Master and Engine Driver about the signals with special sound effects.

Story continues below this ad

The exibition is at Dixit Paramdham, Kelkar Rd, Narayan Peth between 5 and 8 pm, till November 6