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‘New’ world’s oldest operational steam loco

TWO iconic UK-built Indian steam locomotives have returned to steam in recent years. 

Former East India Railway (EIR) 2-2-2 No. 21 Express, built by Kitson, Thompson and Hewitson in Leeds in 1855 (W/No. 480), has been restored to operational condition. 

Still in steam aged 164! EIR No. 21 Express after arrival at Kanyakumari with the LCGB special train on February 7. CHRIS LEWIS

In 2018 the loco was used for some short demonstration runs in Chennai (formerly Madras), but in February the loco worked a main line special train organised for British enthusiast society the LCGB by TravelPals, which saw it operate a one-coach special train from Nagercoil Junction to the southernmost station in India at Kanyakumari – a 15.2km journey. 

Read more in the April 2019 issue of The RM – on sale now!

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