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 EIR-21 and its slightly junior contemporary, the Fairy Queen, have the shared legacy of transporting troops during 1857 Mutiny.The locomotive, which arrived by shipment to India in 1855, served the erstwhile East Indian Railway till 1909 before being retired from the rail network. It remained an exhibit at Jamalpur workshop and the Howrah station for over 100 years. During this period, exposure to rain, wind and sun resulted in many parts of the loco getting corroded. Some parts went missing while others fell apart.The Loco Works Perambur, Chennai took over the restoration of the steam engine in 2010 and has since showcased the legacy of the locomotive through organising heritage rides from time to time.Hauling a sole 40-seat coach, occupied by enthusiastic heritage lovers, the train traversed the distance of 33 km from Tiruchendur to Srivaikuntam with stoppages at Nazareth for watering. 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. There will be three more runs open for passengers, dates for which will be announced soon.The heritage run was flagged off by O P Shaw, additional divisional railway manager, Madurai in the presence of other railway officers and staff.Shaw said, "We did not know how the response would be but, seeing that of the travellers as well as people who stood on the roadside, we know that we will be able to conduct the heritage runs successfully," he said.

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