Coal-locomotive showpiece now back on track

Decommissioned in 2017, the oldest coal-fired rack locomotive, made in Switzerland in 1914, is all set to make a comeback on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR) track.
The X-class loco no. 37384 is being overhauled at the Golden Rock Workshop (GRW) in Trichy. The engine will be completed in another 20 days, according to the officials at the GRW.
The only surviving coal-fired Swiss loco was brought to Ooty station, after having been decommissioned, for a display as a heritage ornamental piece in February 2017.TOI reported, on February 28, 2017, about the working condition of the century old loco. Subsequent to the report, the southern railway authorities took back the loco for maintenance to the Coonoor workshop and later for overhauling to Trichy. “The original coalfired loco system has been retained,” said Shyamdhar Ram, chief works manager, GRW.
Gowtham Srinivas, Salem divisional railway manager told TOI, “The Swiss loco will be run on the NMR track occasionally. The loco could be run on any section of the NMR based on requests for charter trips. ”
Excited to experience the steam loco, K Natarajan, managing trustee, Heritage Steam Chariot Trust (HSCT) said, “This is the only surviving coal-fired steam locomotive of this class in the world. It is in working condition while all other steam locomotives in the NMR section are converted to oil-fired. The railways should preserve such rare kinds of locos for posterity,” said Natarajan, who believes there is tremendous scope for tourism and movie shootings with the coal-fired engines.
GRW developed an indigenous coal-fired locomotive, a first of its kind in 2021. Loco no. 37400 is stationed at Mettupalayam. The coal-fired engines should be used at least once in 10 days to keep them in working condition, he said. “The Swiss loco could also be used for educational purposes,” said Natarajan.
Earlier there was a proposal called ‘thrill of an engine driver’. Tourists would get to drive a coalfired locomotive in the railway yard at Ooty station. But the idea was dropped. “Two years ago, the proposal was taken up by the engineering department and sent to the railway board,” said Natarajan.