|
The petite engine worked from Howrah to
Ranigunj (121 miles) on its maiden journey in 1885. Till 1908, it
was a faithful servant to its masters, hauling trains, chugging
distances, when it was considered for retirement. The years 1908
to 1971 were spent in oblivion, but it survived the ravages of
time. In 1971, it became an exhibit of the National Rail Museum
as many fossilised items do.
But, in its chequered history, destiny had written many great
things. Life changed for the fairy queen dramatically in 1997
when after a complete over haul in Perambur Workshop of the
Southern Railway, it panted back to life. It pulled its first
tourist load on October 18, 1997, and graduated to the Guinness
Book of Records as the World's Oldest Working Locomotive in
January 1998. It is wonderful to be part of history, to re-live
the lost world. And what is precisely what one does on the Fairy
Queen tours.
Down The Memory Lane
The queen was all gloss and shine. A bronze chimney was spewing
out thick smoke from its crown into the air, which thinned to a
misty vapour as the engine warmed. There was a metal windsock
consisting of four cups fixed on a pole, for the wind to be
playful. Steam gushed out in spurts from various crevices, until
the driver decides to let it out in a rush. Some show of strength
that can impress anyone around! The fairy queen in its effort of
building up steam, had caged the power of vapour so
studiously.
Finally, the journey starts with a sweet long whistle, then the
train heaves and haws, and puffs, and coughs, and pants
purposefully to Alwar, some 145-km away. It keeps on guzzling
coal and water till it deposits the passengers in a medieval
setting at Alwar.
|
