Steam Loco WP 7161 is going to be utilized for hauling of Steam Special. The information of the Engine is given below:
Easily recognized by the cone shaped bulging nose with (usually) a silver star painted on it, this locomotive became the standard passenger locomotive on Indian Railways post 1947. Experiencing a severe shortage of locomotive on the system in the mid 1940s coupled with unhappy past experiences with the IRS class of locomotives looming large, the order for 100 prototype WP was restricted to a mere 16 engines (on scale of two for each major broad gauge route). Baldwin Locomotive Works (BLW), Philadelphia was awarded the task of building the first sixteen prototype WP class locomotives. These were numbered from 7200 to 7215 and went to GIPR, BB&CIR and EIR. The initial locos were called WP/P, the extra P indicating prototype. These engines soon earned the reputation for free steaming, fuel economy and good riding characteristics, also there was none of the ‘tail wag’ experience with these engines that was so characteristic of the XC class. On establishing their success furt her orders for WP locomotives went to Baldwin Canadian Locomotive Company (CLC) and Montreal Locomotive Works (MLW) who shared the manufacturing the next 300 WP engines. These engines were numbered from 7216 to 7515 in order of the Railway to which they were allotted. A further 120 engines were ordered from Canadian Locomotive Company in 1955-56 and 60 more engines came from Poland and Austria between 1957-59, this loco was in production for 20 years from 1947 to 1967 from 53 locos in 1953, it reached a peak holding of 167 locos on Northern Railways in 1967. This Pacific class of broad gauge loco marked the change the coding from ‘X’ to ‘W’ for broad gauge locomotives. It was capable of doing up to 110 Km/h and remained Indian Railways crack locomotives for many years and hauled prestigious express trains. WP’s were designed specifically for low-calorie, high-ash Indian coal and its ease of handling made it a hot favourite amongst Loco drivers. Several WP’s remai ned in service until the late 80’s. Early prototypes from Baldwin were labelled WP/P, CLW versions after 1965 were labelled WP/1.
Rewari shed homes the WP 7200 and WP 7161, the former is from the first lot of prototypes that were handed over to Indian Railways by the United States in 1947. The locomotive was a part of Central Railway System (GIPR) but was transferred to Northern Railway later. Homed at Moradabad shed this locomotive was later shifted to Saharanpur shed, before it retired from active service. It is believed that WP 7200 was the first WP class of engine that was handed over to Indian Railways in USA on 15th August 1947, India’s Independent Day, though the engine physically arrived on the Indian shores in Oct’47. This adds to the historic importance of this locomotive, with this in mind, this locomotive previously called Shahjahan, after the great Mughal emperor who build the Taj Mahal, has been re-christened “AZAD”, meaning free in hindi. WP 7161 is the Chittranjan Locomotive Works built engine, inducted into active service in 1965, this locomotive was also there was none of the ‘tail wag’ experience with these engines that was so characteristic of the XC class. On establishing their success further orders for WP locomotives went to Baldwin Canadian Locomotive Company (CLC) and Montreal Locomotive Works (MLW) who shared the manufacturing the next 300 WP engines. These engines were numbered from 7216 to 7515 in order of the Railway to which they were allotted. A further 120 engines were ordered from Canadian Locomotive Company in 1955-56 and 60 more engines came from Poland and Austria between 1957-59, this loco was in production for 20 years from 1947 to 1967 from 53 locos in 1953, it reached a peak holding of 167 locos on Northern Railways in 1967. This Pacific class of broad gauge loco marked the change the coding from ‘X’ to ‘W’ for broad gauge locomotives. It was capable of doing up to 110 Km/h and remained Indian Railways crack locomotives for many years. homed at Saharanpur shed and gave distinguished service to IR before being phased out from active service. This Locomotive is christened “AKBAR”, after the great Mughal Emperor. Both these locomotives are in prized possession of Rewari Steam Loco shed, with great historic significance and deserve their rightful place in the rich heritage of Indian Railways. Let’s celebrate the return of these two glorious Steam Engines and see these magnificent machines in steam once again. Route:- Delhi - Alwar - Rewari - Alwar – Delhi. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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