Nilgiri Mountain Railway X class: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Compound locomotives used by Indian railway}}
{{Infobox locomotive
{{Infobox locomotive
| name            = [[Nilgiri Mountain Railway]] X class
| name            = Nilgiri Mountain Railway X class
| powertype        = Steam
| powertype        = Steam
| image            = NMR 37385 in Delhi 05-02-17 M49.jpeg
| image            = NMR 37385 in Delhi 05-02-17 M49.jpeg
| alt              = Black locomotive with a blue cab
| alt              = Black locomotive with a blue cab
| caption          = Nilgiri Mountain Railway locomotive No.37385, preserved in the Delhi Railway Museum
| caption          = Nilgiri Mountain Railway locomotive No. 37385, preserved at the Delhi Railway Museum
| designer        =  
| designer        =  
| builder          = [[Swiss Locomotive and Machine Works]], Winterthur, Switzerland (17)<br>[[Golden Rock Railway Workshop]], [[Golden Rock, Tiruchirappalli]], [[India]] (6)
| builder          = [[Swiss Locomotive & Machine Works]], [[Winterthur]], [[Switzerland]] (17)<br>[[Golden Rock Railway Workshop]], [[Golden Rock, Tiruchirappalli]], [[India]] (6)
| ordernumber      =  
| ordernumber      =  
| serialnumber    =  
| serialnumber    =  
| buildmodel      =  
| buildmodel      =  
| builddate        = 1914, 1920, 1925, 1952, 2011-2014, 2020-2021
| builddate        = 1914, 1920, 1925, 1952, 2011-2014, 2021-2022
| totalproduction  = 23
| totalproduction  = 23
| rebuilder        = [[Golden Rock Railway Workshop|Ponmalai Goldenrock (G.O.C.)]]
| rebuilder        = [[Golden Rock Railway Workshop|Ponmalai Goldenrock (G.O.C.)]]
| rebuilddate      =  
| rebuilddate      =  
| numberrebuilt    =  
| numberrebuilt    =  
| whytetype        = [[0-8-2T]]
| whytetype        = {{whyte|0-8-2|RT}}
| uicclass        =  
| uicclass        =  
| gauge            = {{RailGauge|1000mm|allk=on}}
| gauge            = {{RailGauge|1000mm|allk=on}}
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| locoweight      =  
| locoweight      =  
| fueltype        = [[Coal]] or [[fuel oil]]
| fueltype        = [[Coal]] or [[fuel oil]]
| fuelcap          = ''2011:'' {{convert|850|l}} of diesel and {{convert|2250|l}} of fuel oil
| fuelcap          = ''2011:'' {{convert|850|L}} of diesel and {{convert|2250|L}} of fuel oil
| watercap        =  
| watercap        =  
| tendercap        =  
| tendercap        =  
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| notes            =
| notes            =
}}
}}
'''X class locomotives''' are [[metre gauge]] [[0-8-2T]] [[Rack railway#Abt (1882)|rack and pinion]] [[compound locomotive]]s on the [[Nilgiri Mountain Railway]] in the [[Nilgiri Hills]] of southern [[India]]. They are used on the {{convert|28|km|mi|adj=mid|-long}} section between [[Coonoor]] and [[Mettupalayam, Coimbatore|Mettupalayam]], where the steepest gradient is 1 in 12.5. The railway uses the [[Rack railway#Abt|Abt]] system on these steep sections. The locomotives have two high-pressure and two low-pressure cylinders, located outside the locomotive's frames. The low-pressure cylinders drive the rack gears, and are positioned above the two main high-pressure cylinders which drive the main wheels.
[[File:Loco 37391X NMR Kalar Jul25 A7CR 06064.jpg|thumb|Locomotive 37391 near the Kalar level crossing, July 2025]]
The '''X class''' is a [[metre gauge]] {{whyte|0-8-2|RT}} [[Rack railway|rack and pinion]] [[compound locomotive]] used by the [[Nilgiri Mountain Railway]] in the [[Nilgiri Hills]] of southern India. They are used on the {{convert|28|km|mi|adj=mid|-long}} section between [[Coonoor]] and [[Mettupalayam, Coimbatore|Mettupalayam]], where the line reaches a gradient of 8%.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://artsandculture.google.com/exhibit/from-track-to-incline-the-one-of-a-kind-nilgiri-mountain-railway-heritage-directorate-indian-railways/QQKS1ukrMRO0JQ?hl=en|title = From track to incline: The one-of-a-kind Nilgiri Mountain Railway|access-date=16 April 2025}}</ref> The railway uses the [[Rack railway#Abt|Abt]] system on these steep sections. The locomotives have two high-pressure and two low-pressure cylinders, located outside of their frames. The low-pressure cylinders drive the rack gears, and are positioned above the two main high-pressure cylinders, which drive the main wheels.


This class of engine was acquired to replace the line's original [[Beyer-Peacock]] [[2-4-0T]] rack locomotives, which were not powerful enough to handle the traffic.<ref name="irfc">{{cite web|url=http://www.irfca.org/articles/isrs/isrs082004-steam-history.html|title=Steam in history|last=Bhandari|first=R. R.|year=2008|publisher=IRFCA|access-date=2 March 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaforvisitors.com/travel/train/bluemountain.htm|title=Blue Mountain Railway|year=2003|work=India for Visitors|publisher=indiaforvisitors.com|access-date=2 March 2010}}</ref> The X-class locomotives were bought in two batches from the [[Swiss Locomotive and Machine Works]], Winterthur, Switzerland. The first batch of 12 was delivered between 1914 and 1925, and the second batch of five was delivered in 1952.<ref name= "irfc" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://railinindia.tripod.com/nrm.html|title=National Railway Museum|work=Rail in India|access-date=2 March 2010}}</ref> Four more members of the class were built in India between 2011 and 2014.
This class of engine was acquired to replace the line's original [[Beyer, Peacock & Company]] {{whyte|2-4-0|RT}} rack locomotives, which were not powerful enough to handle the traffic.<ref name="irfc">{{cite web|url=http://www.irfca.org/articles/isrs/isrs082004-steam-history.html|title=Steam in history|last=Bhandari|first=R. R.|year=2008|publisher=IRFCA|access-date=2 March 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaforvisitors.com/travel/train/bluemountain.htm|title=Blue Mountain Railway|year=2003|work=India for Visitors|publisher=indiaforvisitors.com|access-date=2 March 2010|archive-date=6 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100606173931/http://www.indiaforvisitors.com/travel/train/bluemountain.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> They were bought in two batches from the [[Swiss Locomotive & Machine Works]], [[Winterthur]], Switzerland. The first batch of twelve was delivered between 1914 and 1925, and the second batch of five was delivered in 1952.<ref name= "irfc" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://railinindia.tripod.com/nrm.html|title=National Railway Museum|work=Rail in India|access-date=2 March 2010}}</ref> Four more members of the class were built in India between 2011 and 2014, and another two between 2021 and 2022.


== SLM orders ==
== Class table ==
{| class=wikitable style=text-align:center
{| class=wikitable style=text-align:center
|+ SLM orders<ref>{{Harvnb|Hughes|1992|p=98}}</ref><ref>{{Harvnb|Hughes|1996|p=58}}</ref>
|+ Table of orders and numbers<ref>{{Harvnb|Hughes|1992|p=98}}</ref><ref>{{Harvnb|Hughes|1996|p=58}}</ref>
! SLM Works Nos. !! Year !! Quantity !! NMR No. !! All India No. !! Notes
! SLM Works Nos. !! Year !! Quantity !! NMR No. !! All India No. !! Notes
|-
|-
| 2456–2459, 2469–2470 || 1914 || 6 || 1–6 || 37379–37384  || ex-No. 1-6, 37379-37383 (1-5) scrapped off during the [[British Raj]]
| colspan="6" | [[Swiss Locomotive & Machine Works|Swiss Locomotive Works, Winterthur (SLM)]] orders
|-
|-
| 2734–2736, 2733 || 1920 || 4 || 7–10 || 37385–37388 ||  
| 2456–2459, 2469–2470 || 1914 || 6 || 1–6 || 37384  || ex- No.1 (Nos. 2–6 were scrapped off during the [[British Raj]])
|-
|-
| 3000–3001 || 1925 || 2 || 11–12 || 37389–37390 ||  
| 2734–2736, 2733 || 1920 || 4 || 7–10 || 37385–37388 || All Retired
|-
|-
| 4069–4073 || 1952 || 5 || 13–17 || 37391–37395 ||  
| 3000–3001 || 1925 || 2 || 11–12 || 37389–37390 || Retired
|-
|-
| n/a || 2011 - 2014 || 4 || 18–21 || 37396–37399 || Non-SLM, All Oil-powered, 37397-37399 (19-21) rebuilt by G.O.C. in 2018, 2019 and 2020 with modern loco pilot cabs
| 4069–4073 || 1952 || 5 || 13–17 || 37391–37395 || All (except 37392) Retired
|-
|-
| n/a || 2020 - 2021 || 2 || 22–23 || 37400–37401 || Non-SLM, Not Yet Rolled Out, One Coal-powered and Another Oil-powered (Source:- Deccan Herald)
| colspan="6" | [[Golden Rock Railway Workshop|Golden Rock, Ponmalai (GOC)]] orders
|-
| n/a || 2011 - 2014 || 4 || 18–21 || 37396–37399 || Non-SLM, all oil-fired, rebuilt to run on high-speed [[diesel fuel]] instead of furnace oil.
|-
| n/a || 2021 - 2022 || 2 || 22–23 || 37400–37401 || 37400 (coal-fired) and 37401 (High-speed diesel-fuelled), rolled out in August 2021 and September 2022 respectively.
|-
|-
|}
|}
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== Conversion to oil ==
== Conversion to oil ==
[[File:NMR Locomotive 37395 at Coonor 05-02-27 21.jpeg|thumb|alt=Black-and-blue locomotive, converted from coal to oil firing|Locomotive No.37395 at Coonoor Shed, February 2005]]
[[File:NMR Locomotive 37395 at Coonor 05-02-27 21.jpeg|thumb|alt=Black-and-blue locomotive, converted from coal to oil firing|Locomotive No.37395 at Coonoor Shed, February 2005]]
The coal-fired Locomotive No. 37395 was modified to oil firing in 2002, and another locomotive was similarly modified shortly afterwards. The railway intends to convert more locomotives to oil-fired system, since they are less likely to spark forest fires and are easier to refuel. Unlike coal-fired engines which require two firemen, only one fireman needs to travel with the driver of an oil-fired locomotive.<ref name="Hindu">{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/2009/12/21/stories/2009122153510500.htm |title=Work for manufacturing four new oil-fired steam locos begins|last=Rajaram|first=R.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091231205117/http://www.hindu.com/2009/12/21/stories/2009122153510500.htm|archive-date=31 December 2009|location=Chennai, India|url-status=dead |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=21 December 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.encyclopedia.com/video/X8VsogADY9Y-oil-fired-steam-engine-on.aspx|title=Oil fired Steam engine on Nilagiri Railway , India|year=2009|work=Encyclopedia.com|publisher=HighBeam|access-date=2 March 2010}}</ref>
The coal-fired No. 37395 was modified to fire oil in 2002, and another locomotive was similarly modified shortly afterwards. The railway intends to convert more locomotives to an oil-fired system, since they are less likely to spark forest fires and are easier to refuel. Unlike coal-fired engines, which require two firemen, only one fireman needs to travel with the driver of an oil-fired locomotive.<ref name="Hindu">{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/2009/12/21/stories/2009122153510500.htm |title=Work for manufacturing four new oil-fired steam locos begins|last=Rajaram|first=R.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091231205117/http://www.hindu.com/2009/12/21/stories/2009122153510500.htm|archive-date=31 December 2009|location=Chennai, India|url-status=dead |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=21 December 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.encyclopedia.com/video/X8VsogADY9Y-oil-fired-steam-engine-on.aspx|title=Oil fired Steam engine on Nilagiri Railway, India|year=2009|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia.com|publisher=HighBeam|access-date=2 March 2010}}</ref> Since April 2022, all oil-fired steam engines run on High-Speed Diesel (HSD), as it is less viscous and contains less sulfur, compared to furnace oil.


== {{anchor|New builds}}New locomotives ==
== {{anchor|New builds}}New locomotives ==
To ease the load on existing X-class locomotives, four oil-fired X-Class 0-8-2T rack and pinion [[compound engine]] steam locomotives with a similar design were ordered. The first one (No. X 37396) arrived in February 2011 and entered service on March 24 of that year. The second one (X 37397), named "Betta Queen" was rolled out at the [[Golden Rock Railway Workshop]] in February 2012, and entered service on the railway in March. The third one built by Golden Rock, Trichy (X 37398), named "Nilgiri Queen", entered service in March 2013. The fourth (X 37399), named "Nilgiri Flycatcher" was rolled out on March 5, 2014 at the Central Workshop in Ponmalai, Tiruchirapalli, to join the fleet after trials on the railway.
{{More citations needed|section|date=April 2025}}
To ease the load on existing X-class locomotives, four new oil-fired X Class steam locomotives to the same basic design were ordered. The first one (No. X 37396), named ''Neela Kurinji'', arrived in February 2011 and entered service on March 24 of that year.<ref>{{cite web|last=Rajaram |first=R |date=17 December 2016 |title= First oil-fired steam loco to roll out before February |url=https://www.thehindu.com/business/First-oil-fired-steam-loco-to-roll-out-before-February/article15524679.ece |website=thehindu.com |access-date=16 April 2025}}</ref> The second (No. X 37397), ''Betta Queen'', was rolled out at the [[Golden Rock Railway Workshop]] in February 2012, and entered service on the railway in March. The third (No. X 37398), also from the Golden Rock Workshop, ''Nilgiri Queen'', entered service in March 2013. The fourth (No. X 37399), named ''Nilgiri Flycatcher'' was rolled out on March 5, 2014, to join the fleet after trials on the railway.{{citation needed|date=August 2024}}


In 2020, under Central Govt's order, [[Golden Rock Railway Workshop|Ponmalai Goldenrock (G.O.C.)]] started manufacture of one coal-powered and one oil-powered X-Class Steam Engine, But due to covid, lockdown etc, could not finish and roll out on time (Source:- Deccan Herald)
Under the order of the Central Government, the Golden Rock Workshop started the manufacturing of two X-Class steam engines, one coal-powered and one oil-powered, in 2020. However, due to [[COVID-19 pandemic in India|COVID-19]], they could not be finished on time. (Source:- Deccan Herald). X-37400, the coal-powered engine, was finally rolled out on August 25, 2021.<ref>{{cite web|last=Rajaram |first=R |date=23 August 2021 |title= All set for loco journey from Golden Rock railway workshop to Nilgiri mountains |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Tiruchirapalli/all-set-for-loco-journey-from-golden-rock-railway-workshop-to-nilgiri-mountains/article36065848.ece |website=thehindu.com |access-date=16 April 2025}}</ref> The oil-fired locomotive, X-37401, rolled out on September 27, 2022.<ref>{{cite web|date=8 October 2022|title= New ‘X’ Class steam locomotive for Nilgiri Mountain Railway lands at Mettupalayam near Coimbatore |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Coimbatore/new-x-class-steam-locomotive-for-nilgiri-mountain-railway-lands-at-mettupalayam-near-coimbatore/article65984399.ece |website=thehindu.com |access-date=16 April 2025}}</ref> Both are currently in service.


==In fiction==
==In fiction==
[[Thomas the Tank Engine film characters#Ashima|Ashima]], a character based on the X Class and voiced by [[Tina Desai]], appears in the 2016 animated film ''[[Thomas & Friends: The Great Race]]''. She also appears in [[Thomas & Friends (series 22)|the twenty-second series]], [[Thomas & Friends (series 23)|the twenty-third series]] and [[Thomas & Friends (series 24)|the twenty-fourth series]] of [[Thomas & Friends]]. <ref>{{Cite web|date=March 31, 2016|title=Meet Ashima, and Her Impact on Child Product Sales to India|url=http://www.india-briefing.com/news/meet-ashima-impact-child-product-sales-india-11925.html/|publisher=India Briefing|access-date=July 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161207112309/http://www.india-briefing.com/news/meet-ashima-impact-child-product-sales-india-11925.html/|archive-date=December 7, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://play.thomasandfriends.com/en-us/engines/Ashima.html|title=Ashima - Character Profile & Bio|work=Thomas & Friends - Official Website|access-date=August 26, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=April 6, 2016|title=Flying Scotsman on track to star in new 'more diverse' Thomas the Tank Engine film|url=http://www.itv.com/news/2016-04-06/thomas-the-tank-engine-on-track-to-make-new-international-friends/|publisher=[[ITV (TV network)|ITV News]]|access-date=July 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811022255/http://www.itv.com/news/2016-04-06/thomas-the-tank-engine-on-track-to-make-new-international-friends/|archive-date=August 11, 2016}}</ref>
[[Thomas the Tank Engine film characters#Ashima|Ashima]], a character based on the X Class and voiced by [[Tina Desai]], appears in the 2016 animated film ''[[Thomas & Friends: The Great Race]]''. She also appears in [[Thomas & Friends (series 22)|the twenty-second series]], [[Thomas & Friends (series 23)|the twenty-third series]] and [[Thomas & Friends (series 24)|the twenty-fourth series]] of [[Thomas & Friends]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=March 31, 2016|title=Meet Ashima, and Her Impact on Child Product Sales to India|url=http://www.india-briefing.com/news/meet-ashima-impact-child-product-sales-india-11925.html/|publisher=India Briefing|access-date=July 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161207112309/http://www.india-briefing.com/news/meet-ashima-impact-child-product-sales-india-11925.html/|archive-date=December 7, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://play.thomasandfriends.com/en-us/engines/Ashima.html|title=Ashima - Character Profile & Bio|work=Thomas & Friends - Official Website|access-date=August 26, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=April 6, 2016|title=Flying Scotsman on track to star in new 'more diverse' Thomas the Tank Engine film|url=http://www.itv.com/news/2016-04-06/thomas-the-tank-engine-on-track-to-make-new-international-friends/|publisher=[[ITV (TV network)|ITV News]]|access-date=July 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811022255/http://www.itv.com/news/2016-04-06/thomas-the-tank-engine-on-track-to-make-new-international-friends/|archive-date=August 11, 2016}}</ref>


==In Bollywood==
==In Bollywood==
The X-class Steam Engines were temporarily repainted and used in the song [[Chaiyya Chaiyya|Chayya Chayya]], featuring [[Shah Rukh Khan]] and [[Malaika Arora]] dancing on the Train, from the 1998 [[Mani Ratnam]] movie [[Dil Se]]. For shooting the song, Mani Ratnam spoke to NMR for painting the X-class Steam Engines in Greenish Black Color and the Train Rakes in Brick Color, for 5 days, as the shooting took 108 hours (4.5 days).
{{unreferenced section|date=March 2023}}
The X-class steam engines were temporarily repainted and used in the music video for the song ''[[Chaiyya Chaiyya]]'', sung by [[Sukhwinder Singh]] and [[Sapna Awasthi]], with music composed by [[A. R. Rahman]] and lyrics by [[Gulzar]]. The video features [[Shah Rukh Khan]] and [[Malaika Arora]] dancing on the train, from the 1998 [[Mani Ratnam]] movie ''[[Dil Se]]''. For the song, Ratnam spoke to NMR in regards to painting the engines greenish-black and the train rakes a brown color for five days, while the music video was shot.


== References ==
== References ==
===Notes===
===Notes===
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
===Bibliography===
===Bibliography===
{{refbegin}}
{{refbegin}}
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== External links ==
== External links ==
{{Commonscat-inline|Nilgiri Mountain Railway class X}}
{{Commons category-inline|Nilgiri Mountain Railway class X}}
{{Metre gauge locomotives of India}}


[[Category:Steam locomotives of India]]
[[Category:Steam locomotives of India]]
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[[Category:SLM locomotives]]
[[Category:SLM locomotives]]
[[Category:Rack and cog driven locomotives]]
[[Category:Rack and cog driven locomotives]]
[[Category:Metre gauge steam locomotives]]
[[Category:Metre-gauge steam locomotives]]
[[Category:Passenger locomotives]]
[[Category:Passenger locomotives]]
[[Category:Railway locomotives introduced in 1914]]
[[Category:Railway locomotives introduced in 1914]]

Latest revision as of 08:41, 22 January 2026


Nilgiri Mountain Railway X class
Black locomotive with a blue cab
Nilgiri Mountain Railway locomotive No. 37385, preserved at the Delhi Railway Museum
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
BuilderSwiss Locomotive & Machine Works, Winterthur, Switzerland (17)
Golden Rock Railway Workshop, Golden Rock, Tiruchirappalli, India (6)
Build date1914, 1920, 1925, 1952, 2011-2014, 2021-2022
Total produced23
RebuilderPonmalai Goldenrock (G.O.C.)
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • Whyte0-8-2RT
Gauge1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) metre gauge
Driver dia.815 mm (32.09 in)
Fuel typeCoal or fuel oil
Fuel capacity2011: 850 litres (190 imp gal; 220 US gal) of diesel and 2,250 litres (490 imp gal; 590 US gal) of fuel oil
CylindersFour, outside, compound
High-pressure cylinderAdhesion: 450 mm × 410 mm (17.72 in × 16.14 in)
Low-pressure cylinderRack: 450 mm × 430 mm (17.72 in × 16.93 in)
Valve gearWalschaerts
Performance figures
Maximum speedAdhesion: 30 km/h (19 mph)
Rack: 15 km/h (9 mph)
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Locomotive 37391 near the Kalar level crossing, July 2025

The X class is a metre gauge 0-8-2RT rack and pinion compound locomotive used by the Nilgiri Mountain Railway in the Nilgiri Hills of southern India. They are used on the 28-kilometre-long (17 mi) section between Coonoor and Mettupalayam, where the line reaches a gradient of 8%.[1] The railway uses the Abt system on these steep sections. The locomotives have two high-pressure and two low-pressure cylinders, located outside of their frames. The low-pressure cylinders drive the rack gears, and are positioned above the two main high-pressure cylinders, which drive the main wheels.

This class of engine was acquired to replace the line's original Beyer, Peacock & Company 2-4-0RT rack locomotives, which were not powerful enough to handle the traffic.[2][3] They were bought in two batches from the Swiss Locomotive & Machine Works, Winterthur, Switzerland. The first batch of twelve was delivered between 1914 and 1925, and the second batch of five was delivered in 1952.[2][4] Four more members of the class were built in India between 2011 and 2014, and another two between 2021 and 2022.

Class table[edit | edit source]

Table of orders and numbers[5][6]
SLM Works Nos. Year Quantity NMR No. All India No. Notes
Swiss Locomotive Works, Winterthur (SLM) orders
2456–2459, 2469–2470 1914 6 1–6 37384 ex- No.1 (Nos. 2–6 were scrapped off during the British Raj)
2734–2736, 2733 1920 4 7–10 37385–37388 All Retired
3000–3001 1925 2 11–12 37389–37390 Retired
4069–4073 1952 5 13–17 37391–37395 All (except 37392) Retired
Golden Rock, Ponmalai (GOC) orders
n/a 2011 - 2014 4 18–21 37396–37399 Non-SLM, all oil-fired, rebuilt to run on high-speed diesel fuel instead of furnace oil.
n/a 2021 - 2022 2 22–23 37400–37401 37400 (coal-fired) and 37401 (High-speed diesel-fuelled), rolled out in August 2021 and September 2022 respectively.

Conversion to oil[edit | edit source]

Black-and-blue locomotive, converted from coal to oil firing
Locomotive No.37395 at Coonoor Shed, February 2005

The coal-fired No. 37395 was modified to fire oil in 2002, and another locomotive was similarly modified shortly afterwards. The railway intends to convert more locomotives to an oil-fired system, since they are less likely to spark forest fires and are easier to refuel. Unlike coal-fired engines, which require two firemen, only one fireman needs to travel with the driver of an oil-fired locomotive.[7][8] Since April 2022, all oil-fired steam engines run on High-Speed Diesel (HSD), as it is less viscous and contains less sulfur, compared to furnace oil.

New locomotives[edit | edit source]

To ease the load on existing X-class locomotives, four new oil-fired X Class steam locomotives to the same basic design were ordered. The first one (No. X 37396), named Neela Kurinji, arrived in February 2011 and entered service on March 24 of that year.[9] The second (No. X 37397), Betta Queen, was rolled out at the Golden Rock Railway Workshop in February 2012, and entered service on the railway in March. The third (No. X 37398), also from the Golden Rock Workshop, Nilgiri Queen, entered service in March 2013. The fourth (No. X 37399), named Nilgiri Flycatcher was rolled out on March 5, 2014, to join the fleet after trials on the railway.[citation needed]

Under the order of the Central Government, the Golden Rock Workshop started the manufacturing of two X-Class steam engines, one coal-powered and one oil-powered, in 2020. However, due to COVID-19, they could not be finished on time. (Source:- Deccan Herald). X-37400, the coal-powered engine, was finally rolled out on August 25, 2021.[10] The oil-fired locomotive, X-37401, rolled out on September 27, 2022.[11] Both are currently in service.

In fiction[edit | edit source]

Ashima, a character based on the X Class and voiced by Tina Desai, appears in the 2016 animated film Thomas & Friends: The Great Race. She also appears in the twenty-second series, the twenty-third series and the twenty-fourth series of Thomas & Friends.[12][13][14]

In Bollywood[edit | edit source]

The X-class steam engines were temporarily repainted and used in the music video for the song Chaiyya Chaiyya, sung by Sukhwinder Singh and Sapna Awasthi, with music composed by A. R. Rahman and lyrics by Gulzar. The video features Shah Rukh Khan and Malaika Arora dancing on the train, from the 1998 Mani Ratnam movie Dil Se. For the song, Ratnam spoke to NMR in regards to painting the engines greenish-black and the train rakes a brown color for five days, while the music video was shot.

References[edit | edit source]

Notes[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "From track to incline: The one-of-a-kind Nilgiri Mountain Railway". Retrieved 16 April 2025.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Bhandari, R. R. (2008). "Steam in history". IRFCA. Retrieved 2 March 2010.
  3. ↑ "Blue Mountain Railway". India for Visitors. indiaforvisitors.com. 2003. Archived from the original on 6 June 2010. Retrieved 2 March 2010.
  4. ↑ "National Railway Museum". Rail in India. Retrieved 2 March 2010.
  5. ↑ Hughes 1992, p. 98
  6. ↑ Hughes 1996, p. 58
  7. ↑ Rajaram, R. (21 December 2009). "Work for manufacturing four new oil-fired steam locos begins". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 31 December 2009.
  8. ↑ "Oil fired Steam engine on Nilagiri Railway, India". Encyclopedia.com. HighBeam. 2009. Retrieved 2 March 2010.
  9. ↑ Rajaram, R (17 December 2016). "First oil-fired steam loco to roll out before February". thehindu.com. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
  10. ↑ Rajaram, R (23 August 2021). "All set for loco journey from Golden Rock railway workshop to Nilgiri mountains". thehindu.com. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
  11. ↑ "New 'X' Class steam locomotive for Nilgiri Mountain Railway lands at Mettupalayam near Coimbatore". thehindu.com. 8 October 2022. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
  12. ↑ "Meet Ashima, and Her Impact on Child Product Sales to India". India Briefing. March 31, 2016. Archived from the original on December 7, 2016. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  13. ↑ "Ashima - Character Profile & Bio". Thomas & Friends - Official Website. Retrieved August 26, 2017.
  14. ↑ "Flying Scotsman on track to star in new 'more diverse' Thomas the Tank Engine film". ITV News. April 6, 2016. Archived from the original on August 11, 2016. Retrieved July 13, 2017.

Bibliography[edit | edit source]

  • Hughes, Hugh (1992). Indian Locomotives, Part 2 – Metre Gauge 1872–1940. Harrow, Middlesex: Continental Railway Circle. ISBN 978-0-9503469-9-1.
  • Hughes, Hugh (1996). Indian Locomotives, Part 4 – 1941–1990. Harrow, Middlesex: Continental Railway Circle. ISBN 978-0-9521655-1-4.

External links[edit | edit source]

Template:Metre gauge locomotives of India

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