Guwahati, May 27 (IANS) In a significant step towards preserving India’s rich railway heritage, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has successfully restored the historic steam locomotive No. 808-C, a Type (4-6-2) Pacific engine of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), to its former glory.

After the renovation of the century-old steam locomotive No. 808 C of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), it was installed as an upgraded heritage display at the NFR headquarters campus in Maligaon near Guwahati.

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, popularly known as the ‘Toy Train’, is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

NFR’s Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Kapinjal Kishore Sharma said that the renovated heritage locomotive was inaugurated by Chetan Kumar Shrivastava, General Manager, NFR, on Tuesday in the presence of senior railway officials and staff members.

He said that the heritage locomotive was built in the year 1914 and manufactured by the North British Locomotive Company Ltd, Glasgow (U.K.).

The steam locomotive is a rare symbol of India’s railway legacy, Sharma said, adding that it had already been installed and displayed at Maligaon, the headquarters of the NFR, and has now been given a new life through extensive repair, painting, and renovation.

The CPRO said that, under the guidance and supervision of the General Manager of NFR, the restoration work was carried out by the C&W Workshop, New Bongaigaon.

The renovated locomotive has been enhanced with decorative lighting, real sound and smoke effects, making it an attractive heritage display for railway visitors and enthusiasts, he said.

This steam locomotive, No. 808, is a member of the renowned 4-6-2 Pacific Class, introduced in 1914 for service on the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway.

Along with its twin-engine No. 807, the locomotive played an important role in hauling freight trains of up to 800 tonnes on the Kishanganj Extension section of the DHR.

According to Sharma, after the Siliguri-Kishanganj line was converted to metre gauge in 1948, the locomotive continued service as a shunting pilot at Siliguri before being decommissioned in the 1960s.

The preserved steam engine now stands as a reminder of the steam era and the engineering excellence of Indian Railways.

The restoration of steam locomotive No. 808 reflects Northeast Frontier Railway’s continued commitment towards conservation and promotion of historical railway assets while creating awareness about the legacy of steam locomotives in India, the official said.

–IANS

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