The Hindu : `Heritage run' evokes nostalgia

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Oct 28, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Kerala-Thiruvananthapuram

`Heritage run' evokes nostalgia

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM Oct. 27. It was celebration time all along the 41-km route as the `heritage steam special' of the Indian Railways chugged away from Thiruvananthapuram Central to Varkala today leaving behind clouds of smoke and kindling the romance and nostalgia of a bygone magical era of steam engines.

People greeted the steam-hauled `Black Beauty' of the Indian Railways, with flags, balloons, crackers and applause as a bedecked `WL 15005', the 1955 U.K-made hefty steam locomotive, which was with the Central Railway before it was shunted out, whistled past. It was operated by the Indian Railways to commemorate 150 years.

The route was packed with people who waited patiently to get a good look at the train.

At the Central station, hundreds assembled with kith and kin to see the steam locomotive. Many were seen taking photographs along with their family members and the crew permitted children to enter the driver's cabin.

The `heritage run' was flagged off at noon, 30 minutes behind schedule, by the Union Minister of State for Railways, A. K. Moorthy. He shovelled coal into the engine and interacted with the engine crew before boarding the train. The Minister interacted with the 60-odd children of the Sri Chitra Home who travelled in one of the coaches. They also presented cultural programmes. Mr. Moorthy presented mementos to the children and interacted with retired engine drivers, who were invited specially for the memorable trip.

For the 30-odd retired locomotive drivers, the occasion was an opportunity to share their experiences and see old friends. The interior of the five-coach `heritage steam special' was decorated to give a festive atmosphere with balloons, stickers, and the elephant-headed mascot `Bholu'. L. Ramachandran, attached to the Coaching Depot, who dressed up as `Bholu', greeted visitors.

Besides the coaches reserved for the media and for the public, another coach was reserved for the VIPs. At Kochuveli, Mr. Moorthy distributed sweets to those who came to greet him. While the children and the old preferred to watch from the platform, several youth entered the coaches and travelled to the next station ignoring the warning of officials.

As water columns used earlier for filling water for the steam locomotives had been discontinued, the Railways had arranged a lorry at Kadakkavur station to refill water for the special.

The `heritage special' also had the privilege of hosting a press briefing of Mr. Moorthy. The train had to be stopped at Kochuveli station for 15 minutes for the briefing as Mr. Moorthy and the railway officials had to alight at Kazhakuttom station. The Minister, who was accorded a warm welcome at Kazhakuttom, also sanctioned a canopy for the rail foot overbridge at the station.

The `heritage run' came to an end as the special train puffed its way into Varkala station at 2-25 p.m, one hour and 25 minutes behind schedule. At the station, enthusiasts scrambled to collect coal as a memento. The steam locomotive, brought from Bangalore for the trip, was piloted by H. Basheer. Sasidharan, Shaju, Johnson and Sebastian were the assistant drivers. The chief guard was Prem Kumar and the assistant guard was Jayaprakash.

The steam locomotive of the train was detached at Varkala and the coaches with the invitees were hauled back in the same coaches to the capital using a diesel locomotive.

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`Heritage run' evokes nostalgia