wp glory a tribute to the magnificent WP class of steam locomotives of the Indian Railways |
by S.SHANKAR (With inputs from JOHN LACEY & TERRY CASE) |
PHOTOS PAGE-2
| <<< HOME PAGE | Photos-2 (Terry Case) | Photos-3 (Shankar & Others) >>> |
Here is a full page of WP photos from Terry Case. Terry takes a closer look at the classic lines and handsome lineage of these charismatic machines, both by day and by night, on the South Central, and on the Central.
So here goes, stay tuned for some stunning close-ups of the WPs:
CLICK ON THE THUMBNAIL TO ENLARGE THE RESPECTIVE PICTURE.THEREAFTER HIT 'BACK' ON YOUR BROWSER TO RETURN TO THIS PAGE.
ALTERNATIVELY, YOU CAN RIGHT CLICK ON EACH THUMBNAIL AND CHOOSE 'OPEN IN NEW WINDOW' FOR UNINTERRUPTED VIEWING OF THIS PAGE .
ALL PHOTOS ON THIS PAGE ARE COURTESY TERRY CASE
1. NIGHT TRAIN
|
1. It is nearly midnight at Miraj station on 30-12-1979. WP 7528 in blue livery is coupled to the Sahyadri Express. The engine has just taken over from another WP of the SCR. |
| 2. The fireman builds up a huge starting fire as WP 7528 is prepared for its journey to Poona. (Pune). (A note from the photographer:This is a pic that brings back memories of a fantastic journey!) |
|
2. DELHI-AGRA: Mainline Steam:
|
3. Another blue liveried WP homed at Jhansi departs Mathura on 5-1-1982 with the overnight Jhansi-Delhi Passenger. |
| 4. Later the same day,blue liveried WP 7656 leaves Mathura on the Taj Express on the fastest section of its journey to Agra. |
|
|
5. Two years earlier, on 9-1-1980, I had seen WP 7656 at Agra Cantt. shed, soon after arrival with the Taj Express from Delhi. Shed staff were removing the decorated shield used on the Taj. The engine was then in standard Central Railway green/black livery, my favorite for these wonderful locomotives. |
3. A LONG DAY'S JOURNEY
|
6. On 31-12-1981, I rode train # 400, a Fast Passenger from Nagpur to Bhusaval. WP 7004 is seen at Nagpur in the early morning. Note how well turned out the locomotive is, complete with decorated buffers, even for a normal passenger train working. The engine was based at Bhusaval, then the CR's largest depot. |
| 7. Despite its neat external appearance, the engine's cab really shook once over 80 kmph. The line being easily graded with long straight stretched invited such speeds, but most running was in the 75 - 80 kmph range. Firing involved a round of 10 - 15 shovel fulls into a raging fire, and the younger fireman appeared extremely competent. |
|
|
8. The driver told me he had worked on
the railway for 27 years. He had graduated to driving 7 years ago, and worked a three day
roster, the third day being a diesel run. He worked the engine with the regulator open and chained, controlling the speed with the reverser or brake. His senior fireman unhooked the regulator at his signal and helped sight the signals. On this trip there was a lot of permanent way work and track gangs in evidence, so the fireman had the whistle in full use. He also showed the green flag at signal boxes and to passing trains. |
| 9. The Nagpur crew were relieved at Badnera by a Bhusaval crew, for whom WP 7004 was the regular engine. This photo shows 7004 at Murtajapur in the late afternoon sun. It will be night by the time the train reaches Bhusaval. |
|
| <<< HOME PAGE | Photos-2 (Terry Case) | Photos-3 (Shankar & Others) >>> |
Feedback? E-mail the webmaster
