India_BG_XE1_22561__22575__22564_Jolarpettai_25_11_79.jpg (85538 bytes)

India_BG_XE1 22561, 22575 By late 1979 the Class XE 2-8-2 was nearing the end of its days on the Southern Railway. The only place they could be found working was at Jolarpettai, where they shunted in the large freight yard. A visit was made on 25 November 1979, a very dark and stormy day so lighting for photographs was poor. But, three of the huge 2-8-2 were seen in action in the yards, from left to right: XE1 22561, 22575 and 22564. Despite the noise and activity, a cow unconcernedly munches grass! Thankfully one of this locomotive type is today preserved in working order at Rewari Museum depot. Photo and scan Roger Griffiths; roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

India_Jolarpettai_XE1_22564_VF_5326_1945_25_11_1979.jpg (144711 bytes)

India_Jolarpettai_XE1_22564 The BG freight yards at Jolarpettai were the Southern Railway's only location where the massive, 198 long ton Class XE1 2-8-2s were employed. With only a short time left before withdrawal, XE1 22564 (Vulcan Foundry 5326/1945) shunts at Jolarpettai; 25.11.1979. Roger Griffiths roger.griffiths@hotmail.com