Great News: Fairy Queen Is Ready To Give You A Ride Of Your Life!

Fairy Queen, oldest surviving functional steam engine, India, time table, destination, tourism, Indian Railways,

Fairy Queen, the oldest surviving functional steam engine in the world is once again ready in this season to haul a heritage train from National Capital Delhi to Rewari, Haryana after a gap of 5 years. This train, Fairy Queen, is a great attraction among steam engine lovers across the globe, will run between Delhi Cantt. Station and Rewari from today i.e. 11th February 2017 for a single day trip.

Fairy Queen, oldest surviving functional steam engine, India, time table, destination, tourism, Indian Railways,

Fairy Queen history:

The locomotive was constructed by Kitson, Thompson and Hewitson at Leeds, in England, in 1855, and reached Kolkata, then known as Calcutta, in the same year. On arrival, it was given fleet number “22” by its owner, the East Indian Railway Company, not receiving a name until 1895. Initially, the 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) gauge locomotive was used to haul light mail trains in West Bengal, operating between Howrah and Raniganj, and during the Indian Rebellion of 1857 hauled troop trains. It was later consigned to line construction duty in Bihar, where it served until 1909.

Fairy Queen, oldest surviving functional steam engine, India, time table, destination, tourism, Indian Railways,

It was restored and given a special spot in the newly built National Rail Museum at Chanakyapuri, in New Delhi which was opened to public 40 years back on 1st February, 1977. The locomotive was restored to full working order in 1997, in preparation for its first mainline journey in 88 years and its return to commercial service on 18 July. It was certified by the Guinness Book of Records in 1998 as the world’s oldest steam locomotive in regular operation. The following year, the train received a National Tourism Award for the most innovative and unique tourism project from Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the then Prime Minister of India.

Fairy Queen, oldest surviving functional steam engine, India, time table, destination, tourism, Indian Railways,

Fairy Queen is expected to draw tourists and train lovers from across the world and boost the image of Brand India.

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