Everyday Heroes: The Workshop Engineers teams that keep Indian Railways running
Meet Mr. Hardev Singh, Mr. Desh Raj and Mr. Naresh Kumar from the Kalka-Shimla Railway.
Kalka-Shimla Heritage Workshop
The Kalka Shimla Railway Heritage Workshop is where the maintenance of all the trains of Kalka-Shimla Railway takes place. There are a number of hardworking employees at the workshop who work as craftsmen, technicians, blacksmiths, engravers and metal-cutters among many others. We take a look at the workshop engineers and senior technicians who are responsible for the constructing and maintaining the trains and machines.
Mr. Desh Raj - Senior Technician
Mr. Desh Raj is a 60-year-old Senior Technician at the Kalka Workshop who is soon to retire. He has been working at the Kalka Workshop since 1980 and has been responsible for maintaining and repairing heritage machines.
Des RajKalka Shimla Railway
Mr. Desh Raj talks about his responsibilities as a senior technician at the Kalka Workshop.
Des RajKalka Shimla Railway
Mr. Desh Raj shares an example of the kind of challenges he faces at work.
Des RajKalka Shimla Railway
At the age of 60, Mr. Desh Raj is set to retire soon.
Desh RajKalka Shimla Railway
Being the son of a farmer, Mr. Raj plans to go back to his roots as he shares his post-retirement plans.
Desh RajKalka Shimla Railway
Mr. Desh Raj poses next to a machine that he routinely maintained and fixed during his long service at the workshop.
Desh RajKalka Shimla Railway
He took up the challenge and succeeded in fixing the power hammer, which took all his experience and skills after it developed a serious snag.
Desh RajKalka Shimla Railway
This feat earned him a lot of respect from his colleagues and seniors at the workshop.
Mr. Hardev Singh - Area Works Manager at Kalka Workshop
Mr. Hardev Singh is employed at the Kalka Workshop as the Area Works Manager. The workshop is a special place for him as his father also served there from 1956-1997.
Hardev SinghKalka Shimla Railway
Mr. Hardev Singh introduces himself and explains some of the challenges that the Kalka Workshop solves.
Hardev SinghKalka Shimla Railway
He showcases the inside a small museum maintained within the workshop premises, while talking about the importance of the Kalka-Shimla Railway line.
Hardev SinghKalka Shimla Railway
The Kalka Workshop holds a special place in Mr. Singh's life as his father too worked there for more than 40 years.
Hardev SinghKalka Shimla Railway
Mr. Hardev Singh poses next to a heritage exhibit at the Kalka Workshop.
Mr. Naresh Kumar - Master Craftsman at Kalka Deisel Shed
At the Kalka Diesel Shed, Mr. Naresh Kumar works as a Master Craftsman, where his job is to inspect and maintain the engines and the locomotives.
Naresh KumarKalka Shimla Railway
Master Craftsman, Mr. Naresh Kumar, introduces himself from his desk at Kalka Diesel Shed.
Naresh KumarKalka Shimla Railway
Mr. Kumar believes in working hard and finds mechanical work one of the most exciting parts of his job.
Naresh KumarKalka Shimla Railway
Busy at work, Mr. Naresh Kumar does an inspection.
Naresh KumarKalka Shimla Railway
The Master Craftsman inspects a locomotive from inside out.
Naresh KumarKalka Shimla Railway
Testing the workings of a locomotive.
Naresh KumarKalka Shimla Railway
Mr. Naresh Kumar sits at his desk to take care of the paperwork.
Naresh KumarKalka Shimla Railway
He poses with his team for a photograph.
