11. 31 July 2010. India. New lease of life for world's oldest steam locomotive The world's oldest steam locomotive is all set to chug again and thrill train lovers in a Heritage Run planned in Chennai soon. T he 155-year-old ‘Express Loco' built by Kitson Thomson and Hewitson Leeds, United Kingdom, was used by the East Indian Railway until 1909. For the century it has been an exhibit at Jamalpur and Howrah. The ‘Express Loco' christened ‘EIR 21' was brought by road to the Perambur Loco Works four months ago. The 130-horse power locomotive was dismantled to enable corrosion repairs. “The only major replacement was the injector. We have introduced air brakes as the vacuum braking system is not in vogue. The steam-fired locomotive can haul at least four coaches comfortably,” said Southern Railway Chief Mechanical Engineer V. Carmelus. The Heritage Run is planned between Royapuram, the oldest railway station building in Southern Railway, and Avadi. Source: The Hindu So if you are there perhaps you will get a wiff of old steam..... Peter

Thanks Peter. Without your rejoinder, I would have missed out this fabulous piece of information. Indian Railway makes us proud every day every moment of our lives. Regards Gautam Chakraborti Kolkata >

Any possibility of photographs? The Kitsons of Leeds are close antecedents! <<<11. 31 July 2010. India. New lease of life for world's oldest steam locomotive>> Leonie Fretwell Burra, South Australia lfretwell@bigpond.com www.fretwell.kangaweb.com.au