The last coal-powered steam locomotive still operational along the Nilgiri Mountain Railway line, had a trial run from Coonoor to Ketti railway station on Saturday.
Officials from the Salem division of the Southern Railway, said that train number X37384, was manufactured in the Swiss Locomotive and Machine Works Factory in Switzerland in 1914, and was commissioned into service in 1918.
The locomotive was fully restored last year, and there had been plans to run it during the peak tourist season.
Officials said that the locomotive with two coaches attached, left the Coonoor railway station at around 11 a.m. on Saturday and reached Ketti railway station, from where it returned to Coonoor railway station once again at around 4 p.m.
Officials added that the locomotive had tremendous “historical value” and said that it would be used during the tourist season, mostly for the “joy ride” journey, which will ferry passengers between Udhagamandalam town and Ketti railway stations.PK
