Darjeeling steam loco runs on Matheran line for World Heritage Day

Steam locomotive. Pic/Central Railway

The Central Railway on Monday marked World Heritage Day by running an oil-fired steam locomotive at Neral.

The locomotive that hauled the heritage train was the 1889-model B-class tank steam locomotive.

It has been restored with an original whistle and gives authentic steam feel while running.

The loco has been brought from the iconic Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. Originally made by Baldwin Loco Works, Philadelphia, US, in 1917, this loco 794-B was in active service on Darjeeling Himalayan Railway till the 1990s. The Golden Rock Workshops converted it into an oil-fired one.

Local railway officials said that the loco had been brought from the UNESCO-listed Darjeeling Himalayan Railway a few years ago, for specially booked charter runs for tourists and enthusiasts.

A 2 km run of 105 years old steam loco 794 B (now diesel fired) along with 3 coaches (1 Vistadome, 1 second class and 1 guard van) was organised at Neral. The heritage run was done at 1130 hrs from Neral station.