The '', built in
1855 , is the world's oldest
Steam Locomotive in regular operation today, plying between
New Delhi to
Alwar in
India . The locomotive was certified by the ''
Guinness Book Of Records '' to be the oldest operational locomotive after the
Rajasthan government invoked it in
2004 to lug a deluxe train in order to boost tourism in the area. The ''Fairy Queen'' is run on the lines of the ''
Palace On Wheels '', the internationally renowned luxury train.
The ''Fairy Queen'' was constructed in
Leeds ,
England in
1855 , and reached
Calcutta in the same year where it was christened as the ''Fairy Queen''. The locomotive was given its serial number , by its then owner, The
East Indian Railway . It began to haul light mail trains between
Howrah and
Ranigunj , but was soon consigned to line construction duty in the
State of
Bihar , where it served until
1909 .
The locomotive spent the next thirty-four years on a pedestal outside the Howrah Railway Station near Calcutta. In
1943 , the locomotive was shifted to the Railway Zonal Training School at
Chandausi , where it served as a curiosity object for many of the students based there. In
1972 , the Indian government bequeathed heritage status to the engine, rendering it a national treasure. The locomotive was spruced up and given a special spot in the newly built
National Rail Museum ,
Chanakyapuri , New Delhi.
In
1997 , after the runaway success of the ''
Palace On Wheels '', the locomotive was restored to full working order in preparation for its first mainline journey in 88 years and its return to commercial service on
July 18 that year. The two-day excursion sees the train plying from New Delhi to Alwar to the
Sariska Tiger Reserve . The train pulled by this locomotive can accommodate thirty-eight passengers and the ticket is priced at Rs. 7,500 for adults and Rs. 3,750 for children.
