AV's Blog

No I am not referring to my favourite filmstar... I am talking about the Steam Engine named Shahenshah which pulled a lot of crowds to the Western Railway stations for a glimpse yesterday. The Indian railways ran a Heritage Special train to mark its 51st Railway Week celebrations and the train was pulled by this very Steam Engine. The majestic Shahenshah was all decked up and it was a great moment for someone like me who got to see a running steam engine in real for the first time. The only other time I had seen steam engines was in a Railway junkyard in Africa where there were about 100 of them... all rusted.

The coal guzzler whistled its way into Borivali Station at 12:20pm and got a red carpet welcome and I bet it touched the hearts of the veteran engine drivers in command who were greeted with bouquets and roses with people stretching out to shake hands and ask for their autographs. I was lucky to get right ahead and click a few pictures of the engine and later waded my way through the crowds for a few pictures of the bogies and the engine drivers.

The Engine Crew were a lot enthusiastic and
waving away to the huge crowd that had gathered to see the train. I bet it must have reminded them of the old times when they used to whistle their way chugging away through the city and beyond. It was a day where they rightly deserved their respect and attention.. just like the Shahenshah and the bogies attached did.

And this is how the Heritage Special logo was painted on all bogies. Gothic Font and all.. Cool Stuff ! All these pictures were taken from my 1 Megapixel mobile cam. Sure they are quite clear and I think I am slowly getting better at clicking pictures. :-) I have many more but these are the best 4 that I thought which must make it to my blog.