Summary:
MADURAI: World’s oldest working steam locomotive, EIR-21, chugged down the tracks between Tiruchendur to Srivaikuntam on Saturday morning for the first commercial run in Madurai division.The steam loco EIR-21, made in 1855, is from the stable of Kitson Thompson and Hewitson Leeds in the United Kingdom. The heritage run in Tiruchendur would be a first for the Madurai division. The division has taken enormous efforts to maintain and run the steam loco in this route.The steam loco was decorated on the outside with garlands and banana plants for the first heritage journey.The railway will be charging about Rs 500 per adult and Rs 400 per child for taking the heritage ride. During this period, exposure to rain, wind and sun resulted in many parts of the loco getting corroded. It remained an exhibit at Jamalpur workshop and the Howrah station for over 100 years..