Latest news with #FairyQueen
India.com
18-07-2025
- India.com
World's Oldest Surviving Steam Engine: Certified By Guinness Book Of Records, Constructed In 1855, Its Name Is...
photoDetails english 2933603 The Indian Railways is one of the largest train networks in the world. It fulfils not just the transportation needs of lakhs of travellers but also offers an unforgettable journey through some of the most scenic landscapes in the country. Some routes stand out for their sheer beauty, like the Kalka-Shimla toy train. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage site, offers breathtaking views of the Eastern Himalayas. These rides make Indian Railways not just a means of travel, but a window into the country's heart. Spanning over thousands of kilometers, the Indian Railway System connects cities to villages and mountainous terrains to coastal towns. But that is not the only thing that the train system in India offers, it is also home to the World's Oldest Working Steam Engine, 'Fairy Queen': Updated:Jul 18, 2025, 02:37 PM IST Name Of Oldest Steam Locomotive In Use 1 / 9 According to a release by the Ministry of Railways, dated February 10, 2017, the 'Fairy Queen' is the oldest surviving functional steam engine in the world and is a great attraction among train enthusiasts. Constructed By... 2 / 9 The locomotive was constructed by Kitson, Thompson, and Hewitson at Leeds, in England, in 1855, and reached Kolkata (Calcutta) in the same year. Fleet Number 3 / 9 The Ministry of Railways release further mentions that upon arrival, it was given fleet number "22" by its owner, the East Indian Railway Company. Between Howrah And Raniganj 4 / 9 The 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) gauge locomotive was at first used to haul light mail trains in West Bengal, operating between Howrah and Raniganj, and during the Indian Rebellion of 1857 hauled troop trains. It was later consigned to line construction duty in Bihar, where it served until 1909. First Mainland Journey In... 5 / 9 The locomotive was restored to full working order in 1997, in preparation for its first mainline journey in 88 years and its return to commercial service on 18 July. National Rail Museum 6 / 9 The locomotive was restored and given a special spot in the National Rail Museum at Chanakyapuri, New Delhi. Guinness Book Record 7 / 9 The Fairy Queen was certified by the Guinness Book of Records in 1998 as the world's oldest steam locomotive in regular operation. Fairy Queen's National Tourism Award 8 / 9 The train has also received a National Tourism Award for the most innovative and unique tourism project from the then Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Credits 9 / 9 Photo Credit: All Representational Images/ Freepik
Time of India
05-06-2025
- Time of India
Ashwani Lohani to be director of PM Museum & Library
NEW DELHI: A railway engineer credited with restoring the world's oldest working steam locomotive for running the Fairy Queen between Delhi and Alwar now has the task of transforming Prime Ministers Museum and Library (PMML, earlier known as Teen Murti) in Delhi. PM Modi-led appointments committee of the Cabinet has appointed Ashwani Lohani , 67, as the PMML director. Lohani, who has headed Railway Board, Air India and Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation in his long career, has been appointed "on contract basis for three years from the date of assumption of charge, or until further orders," the order issued on Wednesday states. He has been appointed "in the rank and pay of secretary to govt of India by keeping recruitment rules of the post in abeyance." Known as a "turnaround specialist," Lohani's name figures in the Limca Book of Records' 2007 edition for earning four engineering degrees at the age of 21 in 1979. He is also a Guinness record holder in 1998 for running the Fairy Queen. He piloted the nomination of Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and Bodhgaya's Mahabodhi Temple as world heritage sites. He was heading ITDC in 2001-02 and is credited with substantially improving Delhi's Ashoka Hotel. Lohani's blog lists "turning around sick corporations" among his main interests. At Air India, he launched the airline's longest nonstop between Delhi and San Francisco.
Hindustan Times
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Former Railway Board and Air India chairman Ashwani Lohani made PM Museum director
Ashwani Lohani, former chairman of the Railway Board and ex-CMD of Air India, has been appointed as the director of the Prime Ministers Museum and Library (PMML), according to an order dated June 4. The government approved his appointment to the post of 'Director, Prime Ministers Museum and Library in the rank and pay of Secretary to the government of India, on contract basis for three years from the date of assumption of charge, or until further orders whichever is earlier', the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) said in the official order. Lohani, a 1980-batch officer of the Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineering (IRSME), is known for organisational turnarounds during his career. While he has retired from IRSME services, he has held the posts of chairman and managing director of Air India, and chairman of the Railway Board. The seasoned bureaucrat also holds several notable acclaims. He had entered the Limca Book of Records for having four engineering degrees – mechanical, electrical, metallurgical, and electronics and telecommunication – from the Institution of Engineers (India), Kolkata. He also earned a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for successfully reviving and operating the 'Fairy Queen', recognised as the world's oldest working steam locomotive. The PMML Society, which oversees the institution housed at Teen Murti Bhavan, was reconstituted earlier this year. Prime Minister Narendra Modi serves as its president, with Union defence minister Rajnath Singh being the vice-president. The society's members include former Union minister Smriti Irani, filmmaker Shekhar Kapur and retired Indian Army General Syed Ata Hasnain, among others. Former principal secretary to the government of India, Nripendra Misra, currently serves as the director of the museum and heads a seven member executive council.
Time of India
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
‘Turnaround man' Ashwani Lohani appointed director of PM Museum and Library
Ashwani Lohani (in blue suit) NEW DELHI: A railway engineer credited with restoring the world's oldest working steam locomotive for running the Fairy Queen between Delhi and Alwar now has the task of transforming Prime Ministers Museum and Library (PMML, earlier known as Teen Murti) in the national capital. PM Modi-led appointments committee of the Cabinet has appointed Ashwani Lohani , 67, as director of PMML. Lohani, who has headed Railway Board, Air India and Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation in his long career, has been appointed 'on contract basis for three years from the date of assumption of charge, or until further orders whichever is earlier, in the rank and pay of secretary to govt of India by keeping recruitment rules of the post in abeyance,' says the order issued Wednesday. Known as a 'turnaround specialist,' Lohani's name figures in the Limca Book of Records' 2007 edition for earning four engineering degrees at the age of 21 in 1979 and is a Guinness record holder in 1998 for running the Fairy Queen. He piloted the nomination of Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and Bodhgaya's Mahabodhi Temple as world heritage sites. He was heading ITDC in 2001-02 and is credited with substantially improving Delhi's Ashoka Hotel. Lohani's blog lists 'turning around sick corporations' among his main interests. At Air India, he launched the airline's longest nonstop between Delhi and San Francisco.
