Dodballapur Station 2
The Dodballapur 1 page showed the old station buildings at Dodballapur as they were in 2017. This page shows how they were presented in the film, with the help of some stills captured from the film.
The 'Imperial Mail' arrives at Chandrapore
The 'Imperial Mail' arrives at Chandrapore from Bombay. It is pulled by an 'XC' class 4-6-2, heavy-passenger, broad gauge, with an axle-load of 19.5 tons. This view is our introduction in the film to Chandrapore.
The 'Imperial Mail' arrives at Chandrapore
As the train pulls in to the platform, we can see trees, a fence, and buildings on the far side of the track that have since been replaced with new station buildings. Some trees still remain, though I cannot tell if any appeared here. The once-magnificent tree on the left, just beyond the station buildings, still exists but has been heavily and rather ruthlessly pruned.
The 'Imperial Mail' arrives at Chandrapore
Indian men run along the side of the train, waving, as it pulls to a halt. Was there really such interest amongst poorer Indians in the return of the Collector, I wonder? We see more views of the trees and buildings on the far side of the tracks: they have since been removed and replaced.
The 'Imperial Mail' arrives at Chandrapore
Closeup of the flags and engine badge "India's Servant", with background crowds of natives, and old station buildings. Does anyone know what the green flags represent?
Welcoming Committee on the Platform
The train pulls to a halt, and a welcoming committee forms on the platform to greet the Collector. On the left are important members of the British community, then the Station Master in tail-coat and white solar topee. The Indian men in red clothes and turbans are porters, waiting to help with the luggage. A trolley of mail-bags will be loaded onto the train for dispatch to its next destination. A number of policemen in khaki uniforms form an honour-guard.
Ronny Heaslop crosses the Platform
As the band plays, Ronny Heaslop, carrying a bunch of white roses, crosses the platform to greet his fiancee Adela Quested, and his mother Mrs Moore. Behind him, a sign reads 'Trans Indian Railway'. The decorative wooden fretwork frieze that ran along the whole frontage of the station buildings, still visible in 2004, had now been removed. Was it added just for the film? The two pillars marking the entrance to the ticket office have been bolstered with grey-painted stone, certainly imitation.
The Collector: Mr. Turton, and his Wife
The Collector: Mr. Turton, and his wife, walk past the welcoming committee: first, important members of the British community, whom he chats to, and then important Indians, who are largely ignored.
Mr. Turton Leaves the Platform
Mr. Turton, and his wife leave the platform, exiting through the old Ticket Office between two lines of Indian Policemen with rifles.
