Western Railway (WR) is all set to have a ceremonial run of a steam engine to Mumbai Central any time between January and February 2014. The steam engine will travel around 1,400 km from Indias only surviving steam locomotive shed in Rewari,Haryana to Mumbai Central to mark the 150th year of WR,earlier known as Bombay,Baroda and Central India Railway (BB & CI) Railway. Rewari Steam Loco Shed which falls under Northern Railways was re-opened on October 9,2010 to restore and revive heritage locomotives,which date back to the British era in India. According to a railway official,the decision was taken during a heritage committee meeting of WR earlier this month while discussing the 150-year celebrations. Requesting anonymity,a senior railway official said,Western Railway plans to run a steam engine to mark the historic year. Since no other railway has a steam engine,there are plans to ask Rewari Steam Loco Shed to provide a steam engine that can be run to Mumbai Central early next year. The officer said a steam engine,along with three coaches,is likely to have a ceremonial run in Mumbai. As a part of its celebrations,WR is organising a two-day exhibition at Churchgate station on November 28 and 29. The exhibition will showcase rare black and white photographs of BB & CI and also highlight growth of WR. The WR,for the first time,will also release an information booklet for Re 1,which contains essential information on ticketing facilities,security helpline numbers and location of reserved WR coaches. priyal.dave@expressindia.com
