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Raj Steam - Western Railway Metre Gauge |
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The line from Wankaner to Morbi and beyond was significant as the last 'normal' steam operation in India. The first part covers visits in 1986 and 1997. The second and third try to give an impression of what it was like to chase trains here in 1998. By the mid 1990s the main line through Wankaner had been converted to broad gauge, leaving the Morbi system isolated much like narrow gauge systems had always been. With no facilities to turn locomotives except at Wankaner, it was very fortunate that operationally all faced south /south-east. Not too long afterwards the lines beyond Morbi were closed for regauging and when it was ordained that steam should finish, small railcars were brought in. Not surprisingly there are no pictures of them here and, in fact, I have never seen any. The corresponding narrow gauge versions looked like coffins on wheels. |
