HerItaGe LoCo FaLLs oFF the traCKs

Akbar, a heritage steam locomotive engine, which has been the hero of more than 20 Bollywood films, derailed a few days ago at Haryana’s Rewari station. Easily recognised by the cone shaped bulging nose with (usually) a silver star painted on it, such type of locomotives became the standard passenger locomotive in Indian Railways post 1947 and served for long before the arrival of diesel and electric engines. These were capable of doing up to 110 km an hour and remained Indian Railways’ crack locomotives for many years and hauled prestigious express trains.

The incident took place when a team of Northern Railway officials from Delhi was inspecting steam engines at the Heritage Locomotive shed at Rewari station. No one was injured in the incident. The engine apparently went out of control due to a brake failure. It ran for up to two kilometres before smashing into a wall and an iron gate.

To attract old timers and children, Railways have been running the campaign, “Welcome Abroad Steam Express” twice each month, between Delhi Cantonment and Rewari stations since 14 October. It will continue up to 28 April 2018. The National Rail Museum and the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited have been booking one-way or two-way same day journeys.

The two-way Delhi-Rewari-Delhi journey fare for an adult is Rs 6,804 and for a child Rs 3,402. The one way Delhi-Rewari or Rewari-Delhi journey tariff for an adult is Rs 3,402 and for the child Rs 1,701.

The Rewari Steam Loco Shed is in the possession of two heritage locomotives, one “Akbar” and the other “Azad”, which was previously called Shahjahan, after the Mughal emperor.