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57.1 The
EA/1 wearing an improbable livery in the NRM in Nov. 1997. |
57.2 This
shot with a cheap plastic lens box camera in 1981 shows the magnificent EA/1 in
standard GIP black livery with red trimming. |
VITALSTATISTICS:
Builder: Swiss Locomotive
Works. Electrical equipment by Metropolitan Vickers, UK Class: Initially EA/1, later WCP/1 Year Built: 1930
Service: GIPR
(Great Indian Peninsula Railway), later CR (Central Railway) Wheel Arrangement: 2-A-A-A-1
(similar to steam's Pacific (4-6-2) Numbering:
Initially EA/1 4006, later WCP/1 20005 Named: SIR ROGER LUMLEY
Voltage: 1,500 V dc Rail Gauge: bg
(5' 6") |
The EA/1s (WCP/1) were
the first electric locomotives to run on Indian soil. They were used for passenger
operations on the 1500 V dc Bombay-Poona/Manmad sections. In keeping with electrics of
that time, these engines too bear a steam locomotive type of wheel arrangement. It can be
safely stated that the EA/1s heralded the arrival of high speed train travel in India, as
they used to do the 192 km steeply graded Bombay-Poona run with the 7-car Deccan Queen in
2 hr. 45 min. in the 1930s. Today (2000) the fastest train on the route, the seven car
Shatabdi Express does the run in 3 hr. 25 min. According to the NRM booklet, the EA/1s
had a rigid wheelbase of two driving wheels. The third driving wheel is articulated
with the third carrying wheel. Each of the driven axles was powered by a pair of motors
which could be connected in various combinations to give six different speeds. Engine
illustrated is reputed to have hauled the Deccan Queen on its inaugural run in June 1930.
One more EA/1 is preserved in the Nehru Science Centre in Bombay.Actually, the name 'SIR
ROGER LUMLEY' which this engine bears was actually applied to another locomotive # 20024,
of a subsequent and more powerful class WCP/2. This sometimes leads to confusion in the
minds of purists regarding the actual class of this locomotive. Name notwithstanding, this
engine is a WCP/1, and not a WCP/2 as some might be led to believe. |
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58.1 EF/1
Sir Leslie Wilson in non-standard livery at the NRM Delhi. |
58.2 A
closer look at the beast. |
VITALSTATISTICS:
Builder: Swiss Locomotive
Works. Electrical equipment by Metropolitan Vickers, UK Class: Initially EF/1, later WCG/1 Year Built: 1928
Service: GIPR
(Great Indian Peninsula Railway), later CR (Central Railway) Wheel Arrangement: C-C
Numbering: Initially
EF/1 4502, later WCG/1 20027 Named:
SIR LESLIE WILSON Voltage: 1,500 V dc Rail Gauge: bg
(5' 6") |
Sister engines to the
EA/1s, the EF/1s were used for heavy freight and banking operations on the steep hill line
between Bombay and Poona. The EF/1s had an articulated frame, suitable for rounding the
sharp bends on the ardous hill route. The engines are styled around the renowned Swiss
'crocodile' class of engines, so called due to their low slung profile and very long
wheelbase, and an alleged resemblance to that animal while rounding bends. It is indeed a
tribute to Swiss technology that the crocodile EF/1s were still at work till as recently
as 1992, shunting at Bombay VT and Lonavla, when they were at least 64 years old! Despite
re-numbering after being re-classed WCG/1, most still bore the old EF/1 number, usually
merely chalked in. The engines were greatly admired by their drivers and crew., and
retired from active service (main line workings) in 1974 . The pantograph was manipulated
by a pole inside the driver's cab, just behind the driver. Several of the EF/1s had
steam-locomotive type of whistles, later replaced by an electric horn. The EF/1s were
among the first batch of electrics delivered to the IR in 1930. This particular engine was
christened 'SIR LESLIE WILSON' after the then Governor of Bombay. The name 'SIR LESLIE
WILSON' borne by this locomotive was originally the name of another locomotive #
20025 (EF/1 4500), which was also a WCG/1, and which was in fact the first engine of this
class. |
P |
Item:
Steam Locomotive |
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59.1 Note
the slender and elegant profile of the P. |
59.2
Builder's plate on the side of the P's cab. |
59.3 This
pic was shot by me in 1983, in happier days when one was allowed to climb into the
exhibits.This is a view from the P's fireman's seat. |
VITALSTATISTICS:
Builder: Ajmer Workshops of
the RMR Class: P (non-standard) Year
Built: 1922-23 Service: RMR (Rajputana Malwa
Railway), later WR (Western Railway), Wheel
Arrangement: 4-6-0 Numbering: Initially 171, later
changed to no.31652 Named: ---- Rail Gauge: mg (3' 3 3/8") |
The Ajmer Workshops of
the RMR was one of the more innovative of railway facilities in India, and actually built
several classes of locomotives. The P was so outshopped from Ajmer. She is a typical
BESA-era locomotive and was used on the erstwhile RMR for express train workings. The P
was initially outshopped with 54" dia. wheels. The Ajmer Workshops later re-built her
with larger wheels of 57" dia. for use with faster and more prestitious express
trains. |
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60.1
India's first really serious dieselization attempts were made with this class of engine. |
60.2
Close-up of the dimunitive engine. Note deadweights on the wheels, to hold the engine
down. |
VITALSTATISTICS:
Builder: John Fowler & Co,
Leeds, UK Class: Sr.R (non-standard) Year
Built: 1949 Features: 4-cylinder, 4-stroke
engine, diesel-mechanical transmission, fitted with Westinghouse compressed air brakes Service: Gondal State
Railway, later Saurshtra Railway, finally WR (Western Railway) Wheel Arrangement: 0-6-0
Numbering: Original no. 4200031, Saurashtra Railway no.203, WR (Western Railway) no.
1004 Named: ----
Rail Gauge: mg
(3' 3 3/8") |
This was probably
India's first really serious attempt at dieselization. This class of diminutive diesels
was used on the Gondal State Railway, and later the Saurashtra Railway, both in Gujarat,
the latter primarily due to difficulties in finding water for steam locomotives in the
semi-arid desert areas in Saurashtra. Diesel-mechanical engines are extremely rare in
India, and this was one of the rare mechanicals. For an engine of her time, it is indeed
impressive that she is fitted with Westinghouse compressed air brakes! This engine was
used for working light passenger trains. She ended up as a works shunter in WR's
Ajmer workshops, and was retired in 1970. |
patiala state monorail |
Item:
monorail steam
locomotive + car |
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(Pic.
scanned from Mike Satow's 'Railways of the Raj') |
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(Photographed in
b/w from a NRM postcard circa 1983) |
61-62.1
Note the large diameter outrigger wheels of the monorail train. |
61.62.2
The monorail as seen in 1992. The ridiculous headlight, a later addition, has happily been
removed.I did not photograph the car, unfortunately. |
61-62.3 A
photograph of a NRM postcard showing the locomotive's side detail. |
61. Monorail Locomotive: VITALSTATISTICS:
Builder: Oresnstein &
Koppel of Berlin, Germany Class: None Year Built: 1909 Service: PSMT (Patiala State Monorail Tramway) Wheel Arrangement: 0-3-0T (double
flanged), with one 39" dia. outrigger balance wheel Numbering: 4 Named: ---- Unique Features: Monorail (runs on a
single rail), balanced by one 39" dia outrigger wheel which runs on the road Gauge: Monorail (single rail) |
62. Monorail Car: VITALSTATISTICS:
Builder: Original not known.
This is a replica built on an original underframe by the NR's Amritsar Workshops
Class: Not known Year Built: Original
not known, this replica was built in 1976 Service:
PSMT (Patiala State Monorail Trainways)
Wheel Arrangement: Two
nos. of 8" dia. each Numbering: Not known Named: --- Rail Gauge: Monorail (single rail), balanced by one 39" dia outrigger wheel which
runs on the road |
In 1907, the
first section of a very unusual railway opened between Bassi and Sirhind (6 miles) in the
Punjab. It was an ingenious monorail (single rail) railway. Col. Bowles, who was appointed
State Engineer at the time, soon laid an extensive monorail network totalling about 50
miles, with lines connecting Sirhind with Alampura, and Patiala with Bhavanigarh. Based on
the 'Ewing' system, the track was a single rail running on the roadside. On this rail ran
the trains. The trains were kept upright by means of a single outrigger wheel which ran on
the road. (see pic. above). Hand to mouth existence, maintenance difficulties and
competition from faster and more hassle-free and efficient means of transport forced the
monorail to close shop in October 1927. Haulage was initially by mules, so as to
fruitfully utilize the mules maintained by the State for its army. Subsequently, four
steam locomotives were procured between 1907 and 1909 from the German firm of Orenstein
& Koppel. A very basic petrol or diesel engine had also been tried at a time. 61. Monorail Locomotive: In
1962, the monorail stock was discovered half buried in the PWD scrapyard, quite by
accident.One of the engines (pictured above, built 1909) was rescued and restored to
working order by the Amritsar Workshops of the NR. For details of the locomotive ref. box
above. |
62. Monorail Car:
I did not photograph the car, unfortunately. The car attached to the monorail is an
almost identical copy of the original. It was built at the NR's Amritsar workshops on an
original underframe. The original had been the private inspection saloon of Col. Bowles.
The only difference is that wooden seats have been fitted on this copy: the original
had had cane chairs. |
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YCG/1 |
Item:
d.c. electric
locomotive |
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63.1 The
remarkable YCG/1, the first mg electrics on Indian soil. |
63.2 The
YCG/1s were the first,and till date the last electrics where entry to the driver's cab was
from balconies at each end. |
VITALSTATISTICS:
Builder: Hawthorn Leslie &
Co, UK. Electricals by English Electric,Leeds, UK Class: YCG/1 Year Built: 1930
Service: SIR
(South Indian Railway), later SR (Southern Railway) Wheel Arrangement: Bo-Bo
Unique Features: Dual braking (vacuum and air), entrance from balconies at each end, could
also work for short spells in unelectrified yard lines, on attachment of trailer housing
battery accummulators Numbering: 21900 Named: ---- Voltage: 1,500 V dc Rail
Gauge: mg (3' 3 3/8") |
The Madras
Beach-Tambaram section was the first mg line to be electrified in 1930. The YCG/1s were
the first electrics to arrive (apart from the mg e.m.us), making them the first mg
electrics on Indian soil. Alas, their spent their entire working life on the 25 km stretch
between Madras Beach and Tambaram. The main line was steam worked till 1968, after which
it was electrified upto Villupuram on 25,000 V ac, in keeping with IR policy. Being dc
engines, the YCG/1s used to run on the suburban lines, and never had the previlege of
working main line trains. They were used for switching operations and shunting freights
between Madras Beach and Tambaram. They also used to haul one suburban train between the
stations daily, with silver-coloured YT class cars.One outstanding featue of the YCG/1s
was their capability to work on unelectrified yard lines on attachment of a trailer car
housing battery accummulators. After the main line was electrified in 1968, age, but a
spanking new breed or YAM/1 ac electrics meant that the YCG/1s were not re-ordered.
One more unit is preserved outside the e.m.u. car shed at Tambaram, in Madras. |
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64. To dine like a
celebrity: the VIP Viceregal dining car in the NRM. |
VITALSTATISTICS:
Builder: Ajmer Workshops of
the BB & CIR (Bombay, Baroda & Central India Railway) Class: --- Year Built: 1889
Service: BB & CIR (Bombay,
Baroda & Central India Railway) Wheel
Arrangement: Bogie stock Unique Features: Provision
for fitment of a basic vestibule system, entrance from balconies at each end, with place
to seat two armed guards on each balcony,
Numbering: 5 Named: --- Rail Gauge: mg (3'
3 3/8") |
This wooden-bodied
dining car (diner, for our American friends) was part of a five-car Viceregal train, used
by the Viceroy of India during his travels around the country. Entrance to the car was
from a balcony at either end, but there is provision for fitment of a basic vestibule
system, to allow for movement to and from the car while the train is in motion: a
commendable feature for a cat built in 1889! There is also a provision to seat four armed
guards: one in each corner, on the balconies. The car was originally fitted with plain
bearings: these were later replaced with roller bearings to allow for a smoother ride. The
Viceregal dining car bears a striking enamel-finish white livery. |
M2 |
Item:
Steam Locomotive |
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65.1 The M2 was one of
the rare inside cylinder mg engines, as seen here. |
65.2 Builder's plate on
the side of the M2's cab. |
65.3 In happier days
when one could climb into the exhibits" here is a view of the M2's cab, shot in 1981. |
VITALSTATISTICS:
Builder: Ajmer Workshops of
the BB & CIR (Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway) Class: M2 (non-standard) Year Built: 1922-23
Service: BB &
CIR (Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway), later WR (Western Railway),
Wheel Arrangement: American (4-4-0) Numbering:
162 Named:
Named DUCHESS OF YORK for a short period of time
Rail Gauge: mg
(3' 3 3/8") |
This beautiful
locomotive was built in the Ajmer Workshops of the BB & CI on the basis of a modified
design of a Dubs & Co. locomotive. She is a very rare example of an inside-cylinder mg
locomotive, and was used on the BB & CI (later WR) till about 1970 for hauling express
and mail trains. At least one NRM publication by railway historian R.R. Bhandari states
that the author had stumbled upon this engine quite by accident, awaiting breaking up at
Ajmer. Mr.Bhandari immediately went about making efforts to rescue the locomotive, and
happily, succeeded. The M2 was later beautifully restored and refurbished, ironically by
the very same Ajmer workshops, which had condemned her to the scrap heap. The story thus
has a happy ending, as seen by the pristine condition of the engine at the NRM. |
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66.The
Prince of Wales saloon at the NRM. The engine had initially been plinthed at Ajmer
station. |
VITALSTATISTICS:
Builder: Agra Workshops of the
RMR (Rajputana Malwa Railway) Class: ---- Year Built: 1875 Service: ---- Wheel Arrangement:
4-wheeler Unique
Features: Entrance from balconies at each end,
with place to seat two armed guards on each balcony
Numbering: 50 Named: --- Rail Gauge: mg (3'
3 3/8") |
One of the beauty
queens among the NRM exhibits, this elegant saloon was specially built for use by the then
Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII) during his visit to India for the Royal Durbar in
1876. The car features a balcony at either end, with a provision to seat four armed
guards, two on each balcony. All the original furniture and internal fittings of the car
are intact. The saloon has sunshades, and paintings of symbols representing the
British Crown on either side. The Prince of Wales saloon had been plinthed outside Ajmer
station before being moved to the the NRM. |
E-207 |
Item:
Steam Locomotive |
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67.1 A b/w photo of a
postcard sold at the NRM in 1983, showing the E-207 coupled to the Prince of Wales saloon. |
67.2 This close shot of
the E-207 makes her appear larger than she actually is. |
VITALSTATISTICS:
Builder: Dubbs & Co.,
Glasgow Class: E (non-standard) Year
Built: 1878 Service: RMR (Rajputana Malwa
Railway), later JR (Jodhpur Railway), Wheel
Arrangement: Initially a 0-4-2 tender
locomotive, later re-built in 1912 as a 0-4-2ST Numbering: Initially 1175, later
E-107, changed to E-207 in 1879 Named:
---- Rail Gauge: mg (3' 3 3/8") |
This diminutive
specimen was initially built as a 0-4-2 tender engine, as was used for mixed traffic
operations till 1912. In that year, she was taken apart at the Jodhpur workshops, and
re-built as a 0-4-2ST saddle tank engine. After re-building, the engine served as a
shunting engine, and was finally retired in 1952. At the time of re-building as a tank
engine, the overall length of the locomotive had to be increased by about 2 feet, in order
to accommodate the coal bunker at the rear. |
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68. The Royal
family is now miles apart: while the Mysore Maharaja's saloon is preserved way up
North, in Delhi, the Maharani's saloon has found a home way down South in the Mysore Rail
Museum. |
VITALSTATISTICS:
Builder: Bangalore Workshops
of the MSR (Mysore State Railway), on a underframe supplied by Hurst Nelson, UK
Class: CR (non
standard) Year Built: 1899 Service: MSR (Mysore State Railway), as part of the Mysore Maharaja's private
train. Wheel Arrangement: Bogie stock Numbering: 7341 Named: --- Rail Gauge: mg (3' 3 3/8"), could be altered to bg (5'
6") by lifting vehicle off its undercarriage and changing bogies. |
This saloon was part of
a three car Royal train of the Maharaja of Mysore. It is a wooden bodied car, built on an
imported undercarriage. The saloon is fitted with vacuum brakes, and a rudimentary
vestibule system at either end, to enable movement in and out of the car while in motion.
The original furnishings, fittings and embellishments of the car are still intact,
including floral motifs on the ceiling, and brass-atoned balcony railings. Probably the
MOST remarkable feature of this car was that it could be lifted off its undercarriage to
change the bogies from mg to bg and vice versa: an operation which was done in the dead of
night without waking up the sleeping royal family. The other two cars of the Royal train,
viz. the Maharani's car and the dining cum pantry car, are preserved in the Mysore Rail
Museum. |
FMA |
Item:
Steam Locomotive |
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69.1 The
elegant FMA at the NRM,with the SMR logo on the smokebox door. |
69.2
Close-up of the SMR logo. |
VITALSTATISTICS:
Builder: Dubbs & Co.
Glasgow Class: Originally FM, later FMA (non-standard) Year Built: 1888
Service: SMR
(Southern Mahratta Railway), later MSMR (Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway),
Wheel Arrangement: 0-6-0 Numbering: Initially 2373, later FM 118, changed to FMA 37302 after re-building
Named: ---- Rail Gauge: mg (3'
3 3/8") |
The FMA was a very
popular class of engine in her time, and was used for mixed traffic operations on the
erstwhile Southern Mahratta Railway (later merged with the Madras Railway to become Madras
and Southern Mahratta Railway). Initially built as class FM, the engine was re-built with
enhanced coal capacity and then re-classed FMA. The FMs themselves are considered an
improvement over a still earlier class, the F class. One more FMA is preserved in the
Visweswaraya Industrial Museum in Bangalore. |
F1 |
Item:
Steam Locomotive |
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70.1 Builder's plate of
the first locomotive to be built in India. |
70.2 The rather
unassuming pose of what is actually a celebrity locomotive: the engine ought to be mounted
on a pedestal! |
VITALSTATISTICS:
Builder: Ajmer Workshops of
the RMR (Rajputana Malwa Railway) Class:
F-1 (non-standard) Year Built: 1895
Service: RMR
(Rajputana Malwa Railway), later BB & CIR (Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway),
Wheel Arrangement: 0-6-0 Numbering: 734 Named: ---- Unique Features: Gauge: mg (3'
3 3/8") |
Although several
locomotives had been assembled in the various railway workshops in India, using spares
received along with fully built locomotive consignments, the F-1 enjoys the rare honour of
being the FIRST LOCOMOTIVE TO BE BUILT ENTIRELY IN INDIA. The workshop that built India's
first locomotive was none other than the Ajmer Workshops of the RMR. (later BB & CIR).
The F-1 was used for mixed traffic operations on the erstwhile RMR (later BB & CIR).
Considering this engine's exalted status, there is no special treatment meted out to her,
and she just sits there, along with the other exhibits. |
nilgiri railway passenger car |
Item:
Passenger Car |
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71.1 Note
the hand brake and brake pressure gauge on the balcony at one end of the Nilgiri car. |
71.2 This
picture of the Nilgiri car taken with a school group in 1979 shows a NRM official in the
foreground, and the car bearing its classification TF. I had photographed the car in 1981
with the SIR logo on its side. |
71.3
Closeup of the slatted wooden body work of the Nilgiri car, showing some detail of
the inside as well. The car is built in typical Anglo-India style. |
VITALSTATISTICS:
Builder: Gloucester Railway
Carriage & Wagon Works, UK, Frame by Leeds Forge Co., UK Class: TF (non standard) Year Built: 1914
Service: NMR (Nilgiri Mountain
Railway), later SIR (South Indian Railway), Wheel Arrangement: Bogie stock
Numbering: 34 Unique Features: Fitted for rack and pinion operation, slatted wooden body, vacuum and hand
brakes Named: --- Rail Gauge: mg (3' 3 3/8") |
Built in typical
Anglo-India style, this is a composite first class cum third class car, used on the
Nilgiri Mountain Railway between Mettupalayam and Ootacamund (Ooty) in Southern India. The
car is fitted with a double pinion on one of its axles, which could engage into the
toothed rail which run between the two main rails. The rack and pinion section is between
Kallar and Coonoor. This car could seat 8 passengers in the first class, and 44 in the
third. Canvas curtains were provided for protection to the passengers from the elements.
This type of car is still in use on the Ooty line, although two modernized versions have
also been put on line. (1994). |
Y2 |
Item:
Steam Locomotive |
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(photo courtesy: Harsh Vardhan) |
(pic scanned from a NRM leaflet
courtesy:HarshVardhan) |
72.1 The Y-2 prepared to
steam into the NRM grounds on her own. |
72.2 Once inside the
NRM, the Y-2 joins the other silent monsters. |
VITALSTATISTICS:
Builder: North British Loco.
Co., UK Class: Initially Y-2, later changed to L-2 (non-standard) Year Built: 1907
Service: GIPR
(Great Indian Peninsula Railway), later works locomotive at the public sector firm of
HINDALCO (Hindustan Aluminium Co.) Renukoot , Wheel Arrangement: 2-8-4T
Numbering: Not known Named: ---- Rail Gauge: bg (5' 6") |
Although information
about this engine is still limited, it would appear that she was one of the
pre-electrification engines on the ardous Bhor Ghat sections on the erstwhile GIP Railway.
After the hill line was electrified in 1929, the steam bankers were sold. One of these, of
class Y-2 (later L-2) went to the public sector giant HINDALCO in Renukoot, where she
spent the rest of her service life. After withdrawal from the GIP Railway, this
engine worked for a while on the erstwhile EIR (East Indian Railway), and later on the ER
(Eastern Railway) before being sold to HINDALCO sometime in the late 1970s/early 1980s.
This L-2 heavyweight was donated to the NRM by HINDALCO, and entered the museum on
14-12-97 under her own steam. |
(pic scanned from a NRM leaflet
courtesy :Harsh Vardhan) |
73.
Meet the first a.c. electric engine to be used on the IR. |
VITALSTATISTICS:
Builder: Kraus-Maffei,
Germany, to a French design Class: WAM/1 Year Built: 1959 Service: ER (Eastern Railway), NR (Northern Railway) Wheel Arrangement: Bo-Bo
Numbering: 20202 Named: JAGJIVAN RAM Voltage: 25,000 V ac Rail
Gauge: bg (5' 6") |
One of the newer
additions to the NRM's treasure trove (May 1998) is the first a.c. electric engine to be
used in India, WAM/1 20202. The engine was dedicated to the service of the nation at
Asansol on the ER on 1/1/1959 by the then railway minister Jagjivan Ram. The occasion also
marked the inauguration of the first 25,000 V ac section in the country. This 2,840 hp
engine weighs 74 tonnes, and could run at a max. speed of 100 kmph. She clocked a total of
38,75,000 km till the end of her service life on early 22/10/97, and was retired from
service from the Kanpur Electric Loco shed. During her working life, she hauled
prestigious trains like the Howrah-Delhi Kalka Mail and the Deluxe Express. Mercury-arc
rectifiers (also known as 'ignitron') had been fitted originally, but these were later
replaced by silicon diode rectifiers. The engine name 'JAGJIVAN RAM', was applied to
the engine soon after the inauguration of the first ac section in 1959, and she bore the
name throughout the tenure of her service. |
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