The Nilgiris : The century-old coal-fired steam locomotive of Swiss origin which is the lone surviving coal-fired heritage steam locomotive of Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR) will soon be seen chugging away around the serene landscape of the Blue Mountains. Tourists and locals alike are delighted to hear the good news of NMR's steam engine being restored to its former glory.
The Nilgiris : The century-old coal-fired steam locomotive of Swiss origin which is the lone surviving coal-fired heritage steam locomotive of Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR) will soon be seen chugging away around the serene landscape of the Blue Mountains. Tourists and locals alike are delighted to hear the good news of NMR's steam engine being restored to its former glory.
The steam engine X 37384 manufactured in 1914 in Switzerland and brought to Nilgiris for the operation of the Nilgiri Mountain Railway service in 1918 has now been completely refurbished and ready for operation, starting from the next peak season in May 2020.
The Indian Railways had decided to keep the steam engine X 37384 as an exhibit after several decades of its operation. But with pressure from social activists and locals who protested strongly against making it an exhibit, the Indian Railways decided to refurbish it instead and announced that it will once again be operational from October 2, 2018.
But the engine seemed to break down frequently since it did not have the usual pulling capacity. Hence, the engine was brought to the body shop in Trichy and was completely refurbished. Railway officials have informed that the steam engine X 37384 will be ready for operations from May 2020.
The steam engine X 37384 manufactured in 1914 in Switzerland and brought to Nilgiris for the operation of the Nilgiri Mountain Railway service in 1918 has now been completely refurbished and ready for operation, starting from the next peak season in May 2020.
The Indian Railways had decided to keep the steam engine X 37384 as an exhibit after several decades of its operation. But with pressure from social activists and locals who protested strongly against making it an exhibit, the Indian Railways decided to refurbish it instead and announced that it will once again be operational from October 2, 2018.
But the engine seemed to break down frequently since it did not have the usual pulling capacity. Hence, the engine was brought to the body shop in Trichy and was completely refurbished. Railway officials have informed that the steam engine X 37384 will be ready for operations from May 2020.