All aboard a great steam locomotive from Egmore to Kodambakkam

Steam locomotive buffs thronged the Egmore Railway Station for an eagerly awaited heritage train ride organised by the Southern Railways on Sunday. Forty seats were made available on a first-come-first-served basis in the colourfully decked up train pulled by Steam Loco EIR21, which ran between Egmore and Kodambakkam.

Passengers of all ages, especially children, among them a family with two sets of twins, boarded the tri-colour painted coaches for a ride on one of the oldest steam locomotives in India. The EIR21 was built in England in 1855 and served the Indian Railways for more than 55 years before it was retired and parked at the Eastern Railways' Jamalpur Locomotive Workshop.

It was slowly rusting as an exhibit when, in 2010, the Perambur Loco Works took up the challenge of restoring it along the lines of the Fairy Queen (EIR22, built in the same year, and the world's oldest steam locomotive in regular service). Since then, the Southern Railways has showcased EIR21 in six heritage runs.

Southern Railway General Manager R.K. Kulshrestha flagged off the train. Chennai Divisional Railway Manager Naveen Gulati participated in the event. “It brought to memory a time when all trains were pulled by steam engines,” said Venkatesh, a passenger, who said he enjoyed the joy ride a great deal. Delighted passengers were provided with a commemorative certificate featuring their name.

Two more runs are planned on June 3 and June 7, with tickets priced at ₹650 for adults, and ₹500 for children below 12 years.