2 min readMumbaiJul 22, 2014 12:32 AM IST
First published on: Jul 22, 2014 at 12:32 AM IST
The green-coloured hydraulic-based small engines, fondly called ‘helicopters’ on the Western Railway (WR), are now fighting for survival. These engines were used to rescue local trains, which would get trapped during monsoons. They will, however be phased out this year, following a decision of the WR administration.
The last of the hydraulic-based engines were being used by WR. In the Central Railway (CR), these engines were referred to as ‘pappus’ and were phased out and a decade ago, CR’s tracks were bustling with 80 such pappus.
“Despite several protests by many officials of CR, the remaining 20 pappus were condemned in 2011, with the exception of two small engines. While one is used for collecting garbage from the tracks, the other is used for shunting purposes at its home car shed in Kurla,” said an official of CR.
The Western Railway had 35 such engines and currently has 21, which they have decided to phase out. “WR is going to replace these hydraulic-based engines with old main-line diesel engines, which are used in main-line passenger trains. Small engine parts are not available, so there is problem in their repair and maintenance,” said a senior WR official.
Earlier, the engines were im demand in each department, which included maintenance and shunting of trains, other work. The engines would also go to the satellite car shed and military siding in Pune division for various works.
kalpana.verma@expressindia.com
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