The steam
movement in the country that started with the historic run of the fairy queen
on the 17th of october 1997 is now bearing fruit. Firmly established
on the system are the Rewari Steam Loco shed and regular steam runs between
Delhi and Alwar/Rewari.
The resurrection
of Rewari and its positioning as the finest steam heritage tourism on planet
earth is a landmark that celebrates the return of steam and also commemorates
in the efforts of a few committed individuals whose only desire is to see steam
on track, even if in a very limited way. Rewari is also a symbol of success, a
pulsating proof of the saying that nothing is impossible if the focus is clear
and commitment is not lacking.
The Rewari shed
saw the light of the day, courtesy a brilliant officer by the name of Vikas who
is now the torchbearer of the steam movement in the country. His team did the
impossible by resurrecting the engines, one by one and simultaneously a team of
engineers led by Saraswat turned the ruins into paradise.
The 2nd
era of steam began with the historic run of the legendary fairy queen on the 17th
of October 1997, almost ninety years after the steaming beauty was laid to rest
on the East Indian Railway. The resurrection also marked the birth in India of
steam heritage tourism, a niche tourism segment, till then known only to the
developed world. The massive national and international recognition that the successful
run of the fairy queen garnered, resulted in the surfacing of a strong domestic
tribe of steam enthusiasts whose selfless contribution is still keeping the
movement alive. The Guinness world record certificate that the beauty was
decorated with on the 13th of January 1998 also helped in laying a
strong foundation of the 2nd era of steam.
The formation of
the Indian Steam Railway Society almost at the turn of the century provided the
much needed impetus to the movement that the fairy queen was instrumental in
creating, almost from scratch. The society has been unfailingly organizing a
National Steam Congress every year, this one being the ninth in the series.
Regular monthly meetings and exhibitions and lectures being organized by the
society have helped in keeping the flame alive. A major role of the society has
been to provide a platform to the tribe of steam lovers whose emergence on the
scene after the historic run of the queen was increasingly getting noticed.
With a retired doyen of the Indian Railways, Romesh Chandra Sethi Esq providing
leadership as its President since inception, the society has kept the flame
burning even during those turbulent times when steam locomotives were getting
regarded as a sure shot recipe for fame and foreign jaunts. Yes the movement
suffered and was almost on its last legs when Rewari happened.
Rewari was
conceived as the mecca of the steam movement in the nation, but unfortunately
the shed was allowed to go to seed when the initial euphoria died a sudden
death almost immediately after the unveiling of the inaugural plaque by the
railway minister. The long drawn saga of decay and neglect that followed was
fortunately reversed at the turn of the first decade of the twenty-first
century.
The Rewari shed
has in the last two years undergone a metamorphosis almost akin to a crow
turning into a swan. A dilapidated structure with decaying engines has with a
lot of hard work, commitment, focus and vision transformed into the finest
steam locomotive shed of the world, and also perhaps the finest steam heritage
tourism destination on planet earth. It is also perhaps one of the finest examples
in the nation of brilliance achieved, despite a highly constraining environment
that the system offers.
What next ? The
answer is obviously, more of steam on track. One hopes that spurred by the
success of “Rewari”, the railways would seriously attempt to get back in a limited
way, steam on all the five hill railways and “Insha Allah” if that happens, it
would be the finest things to have happened for the cause of Indian Steam as
well as Indian Tourism.
Elated I feel
and rightly so. Smoking beauties have started churning out smoke once again.
Sir,
ReplyDeleteIt is a marvellous effort by team-steam of indian railways. what can be impossible if there is a lohani at heart & mind. all we need then is a lohani to lead. u r really a mr.turnaround.
who can be not with u. indeed a lohani is needed everywhere. be it Rly.s or anywhere else.
after a long spell of leadership void. a lohani lights the fire. we can see the best to happen.
That is a great tip especially to those new to the blogosphere.
ReplyDeleteShort but very precise info… Thanks for sharing
this one. A must read article!
my webpage :: ecigarette
Very informational blog post. India's only steam loco shed is situated in Rewari. The industrial city, armed with the rugged Aravalli ranges, has carved a niche for itself in the business and industrial market of India. Click here to find out about famous hotels in Rewari.
ReplyDelete