Darjeeling's legendary steam locomotive 782B marks 125 years of service

IANS April 18, 2025 386 views

The legendary steam locomotive 782B of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway has completed an incredible 125 years of continuous service, marking a significant milestone in Indian railway heritage. Celebrated at the iconic Ghum station, the event was graced by railway officials and parliamentary committee members who emphasized the importance of preserving technological and cultural legacies. The B Class locomotive, manufactured in 1900, continues to traverse the narrow-gauge tracks of the Eastern Himalayas, symbolizing engineering excellence and historical resilience. This momentous occasion not only honors the past but also inspires future generations about the rich technological traditions of Indian Railways.

"A living symbol of British-era railway engineering and the enduring legacy of Indian Railways" - Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, NFR CPRO
Darjeeling's legendary steam locomotive 782B marks 125 years of service
Guwahati, April 17: In a significant tribute to India's rich railway heritage, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) on Thursday celebrated the 125th year of continuous service of the legendary B Class steam locomotive number 782B.

Key Points

1

UNESCO heritage train celebrates milestone at historic Ghum station

2

Original locomotive manufactured in 1900 by Sharp Stewart & Co

3

Parliamentary committee honors railway preservation efforts

4

Cultural program highlights Darjeeling Hills traditions

Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Kapinjal Kishore Sharma said that a special heritage steam train was ceremonially flagged off from the iconic Ghum railway station, the highest railway station in India by C.M. Ramesh, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Railways.

NFR General Manager Chetan Kumar Shrivastava was also present in the joyous event. Sharma said that the event was a vibrant celebration of history, engineering, and culture.

Dignitaries, including Members of Parliament and senior railway officials, gathered at Ghum station to witness the momentous occasion.

A cultural programme featuring traditional music and folk dances of the Darjeeling Hills added a festive spirit to the proceedings.

The CPRO said that as part of the commemorative activities, members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee visited the Railway Museum at Ghum, where they were briefed on the on-going restoration and conservation efforts led by the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway.

The committee commended the dedication and craftsmanship involved in preserving this UNESCO World Heritage site.

He said that B Class locomotive No. 782B, manufactured in 1900 by Sharp, Stewart & Co., continues to traverse the narrow-gauge tracks of the Eastern Himalayas.

With 125 years of continuous service, the locomotive stands as a living symbol of British - era railway engineering and the enduring legacy of Indian Railways.

This historic milestone underscores the commitment of Northeast Frontier Railways to preserving its cultural and technological heritage while inspiring future generations, Sharma stated.

The NFR operates in the northeastern states and in seven districts of West Bengal and five districts of north Bihar.

Reader Comments

P
Priya K.
What an incredible achievement! 125 years of service is mind-blowing. My grandparents used to tell me stories about riding this train when they were young. So much history in those tracks! 🚂
R
Rahul S.
While I appreciate the celebration, I wish there was more focus on the local workers who've maintained this locomotive all these years. The engineers and mechanics are the real heroes keeping history alive.
A
Anjali M.
Took this train last summer with my kids - the views are breathtaking! The staff were so knowledgeable about its history too. So glad they're preserving this piece of our heritage for future generations.
S
Sanjay P.
The engineering on these old steam locomotives is amazing when you think about it - built in 1900 and still running! Makes you wonder if anything we build today will last that long. Hats off to the maintenance crews!
M
Meera D.
The cultural program sounds wonderful! It's great they included local traditions in the celebration. The Darjeeling Hills have such rich cultural heritage beyond just the famous tea. More people should experience this!
D
Deepak R.
I hope they're documenting all the restoration techniques. This kind of traditional engineering knowledge is priceless and should be preserved just as much as the physical train itself.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Your email won't be published


Disclaimer: Comments here reflect the author's views alone. Insulting or using offensive language against individuals, communities, religion, or the nation is illegal.

Tags:
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Steam Locomotive Indian Railways Northeast Frontier Railway UNESCO Heritage Railway History
You May Like!