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| Sunday, 23 October 2005 |
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Junior Observer |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Fairy Queen gets new lease of life
Manufactured by Ms.Kitson Thomson and Hewitson, United Kingdom, Fairy Queen is 150 years old. It was retired from service in 1909 and, for 87 years, was kept as a museum piece by Indian Railways. When steam loco lovers failed to get over their infatuation for the Queen, the railways in 1996, decided to arrange a fresh "coronation". But it was a daunting task as steam locos had been phased out. And no one was ready to accept the challenge. But Perambur Loco Works came forward to accept the challenge and, within three months, gave a new life to Queen without marring its beauty.In what was hailed as an "engineering marvel," the workshop used only local resources and expertise and shunned imports for the restoration effort. Fairy Queen began its majestic second innings on October 18, 1997 and, ever since, has been a big hit with foreign tourists.But years of 'reign' have taken their toll and the Queen has to be ushered into the Perambur facility once in three years for a rejuvenation(restoration) therapy. It has made three such visits so far. According to Chief Workshop Manager S.Rangarajan, though "born" in the United Kingdom, the Queen is their adopted daughter and they look forward to the homecoming. Fairy Queen earned a Guinness Certificate in 1998 as the world's oldest working locomotive and won the National Tourism Award in 1998. - The Hindu |
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| News | Business | Features
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| Politics | Produced by Lake House |
Fairy Queen, the world's oldest working locomotive, is all set to enter
the next phase of its chequered career and continue operation, thanks to
Loco Works, Perambur in Chennai, India; to resume the heritage tourism
service on the Delhi Cantonment - Alwar (Rajasthan) route. The trial run
was to take place early this month. 
