Indian Locomotives : DKPA presents the story of Indian Railway Locomotives through Indian Postage Stamps

indian locomotives

KP Achar Editor Ind Dak

In the 1920s, three large groups of standard engines were evolved in India. Those for the 5'6" gauge were classed X, those for meter gauge Y, and those for 2'6" gauge Z The principal types for meter gauge were the Y.B. Pacific and Y.D. Mikado.

In the post-independence period, the first steam locomotive manufacturing unit was set up at Chittaranjan in 1950. Between 1950 and 1972 this unit manufactured 2351 steam locomotives. During this period the steam locomotives were being replaced the world over by diesel and electric locos. In India too, manufacture of diesel and electric locomotives had started. The stamp depicts 2-8-2 class WG.

WP/I - The standard post-war broad gauge express locomotive is WP class 4-6-2 Pacific type. The design was the outcome of detailed study Of previous types. In 1930s, the Four-cylinder Poppet-valve Indian Pacific were manufactured in Vulcan Foundry, UK. These were modernized versions of Indian standard two cylinder XC-Class Pacifics. Then only four were built. 5'6" rail gauge. Sixteen prototype engines were built in the United States in 1947. After exhaustive trials and minor alterations 300 further engines were ordered from number of suppliers. In 1963 manufacture of this type was started in Chittaranjan Locomotive Works.

MDM2 Diesel - This is the most widely used diesel locomotive in India. This locomotive is a mixed design. It hauls freight trains of 2250 tons and mail trains with 18 coaches. These engines haul nearly 56 percent of the total freight traffic on the Indian Railways and important mail and express trains. The Diesel Locomotive Works at Varanasi has a capacity to manufacture 120 such locomotives per year.

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway line having a two feet wide track links Darjeeling to Silguri a distance of 87.48 kms. The construction of the section began in 1878 and completed in 1881. This narrow gauge line was extended to New Jalpaiguri in 1962. In connection with the centenary of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway a commemorative stamp was issued on 18 December 1982. It features the view of the train on the Himalayan setting. The 1889 Tiny Steam Locomotive "B.777" used on the line can be seen in the National Rail Museum.

On 16 April 1993, a commemorative stamp of 600P denomination was issued under the series Indian Mountain Railways. It depicts steam locomotive 'B' Class 0-4- OT saddle and well tank type, most of them manufactured in Britain between 1889 and 1925. It is the only hill railway which still uses steam locomotives.