Fairy Queen (locomotive)
Fairy Queen
फेयरी क्वीन
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| Performance figures |
| Maximum speed |
40 km/h (25 mph) |
| Power output |
130 hp (97 kW) |
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|
| Performance figures |
| Maximum speed |
40 km/h (25 mph) |
| Power output |
130 hp (97 kW) |
The Fairy Queen is a steam locomotive, plying between the Indian capital of New Delhi and Alwar, in Rajasthan. Built in 1855, it was certified by the Guinness Book of Records in 1998 as being the world's oldest one in regular operation after being restored to haul a luxury train in order to boost tourism in Rajasthan. The Fairy Queen runs on the same basis as the Palace on Wheels, the tourist train launched in 1982, and in 1999 was awarded a National Tourism Award.
The 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) Indian gauge locomotive was built in England in 1855, and has a two-cylinder engine with a power output of 130 horsepower (97 kW), producing a top speed of 40 kilometres per hour (25 mph). It was placed in service by the East Indian Railway Company in West Bengal, where it hauled troop trains during the Indian Rebellion of 1857, and was withdrawn from service in 1909 and displayed on a pedestal in Howrah until 1943. Heritage status was accorded in 1972 and the locomotive was restored as an exhibit at the National Rail Museum in Delhi. Restored to full working order, in 1997 the Fairy Queen returned to commercial service for the first time in 88 years.
In 2011, it was discovered that rare locomotive parts that were "as good as irreplaceable" had been looted. After a substantial rebuild, the engine was returned to working order in December 2012.
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.
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