India_BG_AWC_22618_Mettupalaiyam_26_11_1979.jpg (78667 bytes)

India_BG_AWC 22618 Late in World War 2, the USA built 2120, Class S160 2-8-0 for use on war-ravaged railways. Sixty units were provided to India in kit form, for local erection; all were designed for use on India’s 5ft-6ins (1676mm) gauge lines. By late 1979 only a few were left so it was very fortunate that Southern Railway AWC 22618 was found working as station pilot at Mettupalaiyam on 26 November 1979. The engine is seen hear shunting the carriage stock of the overnight express train from Madras. Photo and scan Roger Griffiths; roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

India_Coimbatore_BG_station_pilot_AWC_22631_BLW_70408_1944_26_11_1979.jpg (150468 bytes)

India_Coimbatore_BG_station_pilot The Southern Railway's Coimbatore station served both Broad and metre gauges. Acting as BG station pilot, 2-8-0 AWC 22631 (Baldwin 70408 1944) smokes away, causing a dappling effect from the sunshine. Note the metre gauge tracks serving Platforms 3 and 4; 26.11.1979. Roger Griffiths roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

India_Mettupalaiyam_BG_station_pilot_AWC_22618_BLW_70393_1944_26_11_1979.jpg (150947 bytes)

India_Mettupalaiyam_BG_station_pilot The broad gauge meets the metre gauge at Mettupalaiyam, the lower level starting point of the rack railway to Coonor. BG station pilot was World War 2 emergency-supplied 2-8-0 AWC 22618 (Baldwin 70393 1944) 26.11.1979. Roger Griffiths roger.griffiths@hotmail.com