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Steam engine chugs down the memory lane in Kolkata
Kolkata:
A heritage train pulled by a century-old steam engine
was recently flagged off in Kolkata to commemorate the
trip of the first passenger train from Howrah station
155 years back during the British rule. The first train
in Eastern India had run from Howrah station on August
15, 1854. Minister of State for Shipping Mukul Roy and
senior Eastern Railway officials attended the ceremony
along with Minister of State for Railways E. Ahmed. A
huge crowd gathered on both sides of the railway track
to catch a glimpse of the 'age old beauty'. "I am indeed
very happy to be here in this historic city to take part
in the celebration of commemorating the running of first
train in Eastern India," said E. Ahmed, Minister of State
for Railways. The guard, the driver and the firemen were
all dressed in the same coloured clothes worn by their
predecessors 155 years back. Many school children boarded
the 17-compartment train to enjoy the heritage run. There
were special boarding passes for the passengers. The passengers
seemed proud to be a part of the special run. "It is a
historical moment for us. The first train travelled from
Howrah to Bandel, 155 years back on this very day. So
I am feeling proud to be part of the journey," said Sanchi
Srivastava, a passenger. Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia
built the WP-7, 200-class engine of the Heritage train.
The steam locomotive, with a gauge of 5.6 feet and of
102.4 tonnes of weight, was one of the 16 models that
were handed over by the US to the Indian ambassador on
August 15, 1947.
-August
18, 2009
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