The Museum's Steam Engines

The first ever railway line in the world was laid by Surrey Iron Railway Company with a horse drawn line in 1804. The effort of thousands of hardworking hands led to the arrival of proper steam locomotive haul wagons for the first time in 1825.

The railways played a central role to the spread of industrial revolution. 1830 was a remarkable year in the history of early railways and steam locomotives, when Stephenson's 'Rocket' made its entry. This was originally conceived as a freight railway but at the same time it became popular among travelers.

In the Indian context steam locomotive activity gained momentum in the 1870s at the Ajmer Workshop of Bombay Baroda and Central India Railway, the locomotives were assembled here using the spare parts that came with new locomotives. Real manufacture, however started with the setting up of the locomotive works at Chittaranjan in West Bengal, in 1950. Steam locomotives continued to be manufactured till 1972.

The steam locomotive is generally identified by its wheel arrangement.Most of the earlier steam locomotives were of six wheeled type with 2-4-0 or 0-4-2 wheel arrangements.

The steam railways triggered the growth of railway systems around them. Steam Locomotive technology grew at a rapid pace till 1950's. In the 1960's these began to be replaced with more powerful diesel and electric locomotives.

Founded in 1885, the Arnold Jung Lokomotivfabrik was a locomotive manufacturer in particular of Feldbahn locomotives. The Jung built more than 12000 locomotives in 1950s.

The locomotive stationed at the museum is amongst the 6 locomotives purchased by Rohtas Industries between 1953 and 1957, and this was the first to arrive. It was named RIL 2.

The wheel configuration of this Jung locomotive is 0-6-0 and it runs on broad gauge tracks i.e 5 feet 6 inches wide.

Half a ton of good quality coal is required to fire up this engine and the temperature inside the fire box is between 900 and 1100 degree Fahrenheit.

A close-up view of the fire box in which firewood or coal is burned.

This restored old steam beauty is waiting for viewers with all the power and might, to come down and see her at the Heritage Transport Museum.

The locomotive no 4173 was manufactured by Kerr Stuart & Company in England. It was founded by James Kerr & Co. and became Kerr Stuart & Company from 1883. The company was known for producing a number of standard designs. .

The wheel configuration of the engine is 0-4-0, and operates on broad gauge.

Kerr Stuart at the museum like Jung was purchased by Rohtas Industries Limited. It weighs around 20 tons with a length of 23 feet and height of 8 feet 9 inches. It is characterized by having a saddle tank boiler.