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HPS2 24467, 4-6-0 (2'C), Vulcan Foundry 1950. National Railway Museum New Delhi 2012-12-07. tobias b köhler

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India_BG_HPS1 24385 Madras The afternoon sun has just dipped below the horizon as Southern Railway 4-6-0 HPS1 24385 brings its train to Madras Basin Bridge. In Britain such a passenger working would have been nicknamed a “Dido” as all the passengers were railway staff, these being transported into the city from the Locomotive Works at Perambur. 1 December 1979. Photo and scan Roger Griffiths; roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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India_BG_HPS2 24265 Ranaghat India’s Eastern Railway was known for its collection of old locomotive classes, the dirtiness of all its engines and for the region’s somewhat extreme politics! With a Hammer & Sickle sign boldly painted on a shed building, a grubby 4-6-0, HPS2 24265 simmers at Ranaghat depot on 2 December 1979. It was at Ranaghat station that your scribe saw a dead body lying under a station seat. Although the deceased was in full view of the many people on the station it had very obviously been there for several days! Photo and scan Roger Griffiths; roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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India_BG_HPS 24383 Madras A trio of Class HPS 4-6-0 bask in the afternoon sun at Madras, Basin Bridge depot on 1 December 1979. The locomotive in full view was No. 24383 Photo and scan Roger Griffiths; roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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BG 4-6-0 HPS 24385 (Vulcan Foundry 2911/1913) approaches Madras Basin Bridge with a staff train from Perambur Locomotive Works. In British parlance such trains were nick-named "Dido" which stood for Day In Day Out, because they ran every day shuttling workers to and from what usually were large railway premises in remoter locations; 1.12.1979. Roger Griffiths roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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Madras Basin Bridge engine shed; BG 4-6-0 HPS 24379 (Vulcan Foundry 5801/1950) is prepared for its next duty; 1.12.1979. Roger Griffiths roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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A very dirty Eastern Railway BG 4-6-0 HPS1 24234 (VF 5482/1946) arrives at Ranaghat with P384 a passenger train from Gede, border station with Bangladesh; 2.12.1979. Roger Griffiths roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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Eastern Railway Ranahghat BG engine shed 4-6-0 HPS1 24245 (VF 5493/1946) receives attention while the usual team of ladies makes ready to sift through cinders and collect unburnt coal in their hand-baskets; 2.12.1979Roger Griffiths roger.griffiths@hotmail.com