• Editorial
• MAWD 1798 runs again! by Utpalparna Hazarika, CPRO, NFR
• 'Brahmaputra by steam' takes off
• Chapter FNRM: Pushpak for speed -- The new WDP-2 passenger diesel locomotive by Joydeep Dutta and Harsh Vardhan

The darkest period in the history of Indian steam locomotives is finally getting over! The madness that prevailed the Indian Railways for almost fifteen long years seems to be giving way to reason at last. It may appear as a too little too late effort but nevertheless there is a strong reason to rejoice. For after fifteen years of scrapping history by the pound, there is, at long last unison amongst all that relics of the steam age must be saved at any cost.

There was always a silver lining behind the dark clouds, that streak is now ready to give way to a bright sunshine. The resurrection of 'Fairy Queen’ in 1996-7 opened many eyes showing the way and sporadic efforts followed soon after. The latest score is that the Northeast Frontier Railway has taken the lead by resurrecting a metre gauge MAWD and aYG locomotive to working order in less than a span of six months. This railway has also taken upon its shoulders the Herculean task of restoring a GX class metre gauge Garratt locomotive to working order. It may be noted that this is the only surviving metre gauge Garratt locomotive in India and may soon become the only one in working order in the world.

We understand that several of our members are into railway modelling in some way or the other. As this is also another way of furthering in one’s interest of the railways, we feel that all the modellers should get together on a common platform to exchange notes & ideas for mutual benefit. We are contemplating to start a 'Railway Modelling Chapter’ of the ISRS in the near future. You are being invited and requested to convey your interest in promoting such an activity to Mani Shaunik who will be doing the initial co-ordination. Mani can be reached at the Society’s contact address and email given above. Since the proposal is at a conceptual stage please contribute your valuable ideas on how best this activity can be fruitfully extended.

Your editor is relocating to Toronto, Canada by the end of July this year. Since no one has so far come forward to take up the job of the Newsletter editor, he will continue to carry on this work with the help of his ISRS colleagues and Internet till an alternate arrangement can be found. Any contributions for the Newsletter may be sent hereafter to Mr R J Singh, Secretary.

Members are once again being reminded and requested to contribute material, information, notes, photographs and articles for the ISRS website to keep the website more dynamic and interesting.

To carry forward the success of the ISRS presentation held at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi in December last year, the ISRS will give organise another programme at India International Centre, Lodi Road New Delhi from 16th to 21st July. Please contact us for the details of the programme.

Harsh Vardhan

On February 14th, 2001 Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) revived a Metre Gauge American War Department Steam locomotive (No. 1798) at Guwahati (Assam), for pioneering rail tourism in the Northeastern sector in the country.

Rehabilitating the locomotive has been a Herculean task as both materials and steam skills are now very rare. However through the untiring dedication and determined endeavour of a team of 20 supervisors and staff of New Guwahati diesel shed led by Mr S K Dutta, Assistant Mechanical Engineer, it has been possible to achieve this task within a record period of 23 days. The project became an emotive issue with railway men like Mr Sukhender Lal Das, who as retired Tin and Copper Smith volunteered his services day and night.

In a well-attended function at the New Guwahati Diesel Shed, the General Manager, N F Railway, Mr B M S Bisht launched the locomotive with a lot of fanfare. The loud whistle, steam and coal-smoke of the locomotive evoked nostalgic memories in most of the people who attended the function.

This loco manufactured by Baldwin Loco Works, Philadelphia (USA) in 1944 was put in service in 1948. The MAWD (WD in short) class of locomotives were imported in large number to cope up with the locomotive shortfall due to increased traffic during the World War II. These locomotives became very popular and were also referred a MacArthurs. The last passenger service hauled by this locomotive was in Alipurduar - Gitaldah section in 1993. After dieselisation of services in the Railway it has been since lying condemned in New Guwahati shed.

A few dry runs of this locomotive were undertaken before putting it in service on few selected MG sections to promote rail tourism in scenic areas of NF Railway.

Subsequently a trial run was conducted on February 20th, 2001 between Guwahati and Pandu. An on-the-spot report follows:

"While some peeped out of their windows to see the steam engine for the first time, many stopped their vehicles on the main road to witness its grandeur. Others, who had come to the railway station to see off their relatives, were awe-struck at the sight of a steam engine which was last seen here in 1994 and in Tinsukia in 1997. The N F Railway was one of the last railways in the country to completely dieselise its operations. The locomotive, which had rolled out from the New Guwahati railway shed just a few days ago following its revival, made its inaugural run from the Guwahati railway station to Pandu. People lined up on both sides of the 10km stretch between Guwahati and Pandu to see the locomotive. At many places, bystanders waved at the train and children living in shanties near the railway line were delirious. Pandu, a desolate station except for two trains that stop there, sprung to life. People living nearby arrived at the station in large numbers to give the steam engine a royal welcome. Among the lucky ones to travel in the train, apart from railway authorities and invited guests were 30 street children sponsored by the Indian Council of Child Welfare (ICCW). "It was an educative experience for many of them to know about the history and the importance of the steam engine. And for those who never had the chance to travel in a train, it was a memorable experience," an ICCW official who travelled with the children said. Samira Devi was ecstatic and she could not believe that she was actually seeing a steam engine. "My grandparents used to tell me stories about the steam engine and their journeys behind them," she said.

General Manager of the N F Railways Mr B M S Bisht said they were working out the logistics of running the train between Guwahati and Pandu during weekends. "It will be a good business prospect for travel and tour operators to charter the train," he said. The Railways spent Rs. 1.5 lacs on renovating it. "We also plan to run another locomotive which has been lying in Badarpur since 1997. Renovation work will start soon", Bisht said.

• Class MAWD (or simply WD)
• All India Loco No.: 1798 from 1957-8 (Previous No 1822; Origin in 1948 as BBCIR No. 1000)
• Builder: Baldwin Locomotive Works, Philadelphia, USA (Builder No.74011)
• Commissioned: 1948
• Last Train worked: 141 Up/i 42 Dn from Alipurduar Jn. to Gitaldah
• Year of Condemnation: 1993
• Arrived at New Guwahati Loco shed: 1994
• Date of recommissioning: 14th February 2001
• Gauge: 1 Metre
• Coal Capacity: 8.12 tonnes
• Water Capacity: 10000 gallons
• Under frame with wheel: 30 tons
• Boiler: 24 tons
• Tender: 41 tons
• Wheel configuration : 2-8-2 (Pony Couple Radial)

• Work started on: 19.01.2001
• Work Completed on: 13.02.2001
• Man-hours Spent: 8600 hrs.

• Steel piping boiler mounting cocks were made at New Guwahati.
• Vacuum injector, hard grease, vacuum combination, copper pipe, boiler tube expander were collected from Mariani.
  
• Boilers smoke tube and gauge column cock from Badarpur.
• Gauge glass from Lumding
• Injector combination from Tindaria
• Asbestos packing rope from Alipurduar
• Fire bar fingers from Tinsukia
• Other items like cotters, pins etc were locally procured.

It gives immense pleasure to add here that Sri Shukendur Lal Das who retired from railway services on 30.11.2000 as Tin & Copper Smith, now resident of Pandu area volunteered his free services to renovation work. It was under his guidance that re-metalling of axle box brass bearings was possible at New Guwahati. This is an activity normally undertaken at the workshops. However, under the inspiring contribution of Sri Das the work was undertaken and successfully completed at New Guwahati.

The Australians started the 10-km ride to picturesque Pandu on the bank of river Brahmaputra after their ceremonial breaking of coconuts on the buffer of the engine. Between Guwahati and Pandu, the train was specially stopped at two picturesque places to facilitate the guests to have a surfeit of hobby video and photography opportunities ('photo-ops'). At Pandu they boarded a deluxe ferry for a two-hour cruise on the mighty river Brahmaputra to savour its countryside grandeur including the majestic 1.5 km. long Saraighat bridge. The tourists had a lavish lunch on the ferry and after a photo session again at Pandu with the steam locomotive they were steamed back to Guwahati railway station with tender foremost (as turntable does not exist at Pandu now). Throughout their journey aboard Brahmaputra by Steam Mr B M S Bisht, General Manager of N F Railway and his secretary Mr R N Kalita accompanied the guests volunteering themselves as tourist guides. They also presented the tourists with exciting rail and ethnic mementoes commemorating their trip.

All the tourists were lavish in their appreciation of the trip. To quote a few:

Warren Miller wrote, "The level of hospitality and the variety of attractions (the welcome, the historic train and the river trip) were exceptional, and very much appreciated."

John Ladbrook wrote,"I was a king for a day. Many thanks."

Ian Thiele wrote, "Hope your tourist venture is successful. So many more can enjoy your hospitality."

Ian Williams wrote, "Wonderful hospitality, indicating dedication, organisation and team work in recreating a bygone era of steam Ioco traction."

Tour operators and Railway Societies are welcomed to join for the trip. Please contact: