India: Running out of Steam (part 3) - The Little Tibetan Terrier

These are excerpts from National Geographic's "The Great Indian Railway"(1995), probably the best documentary ever on the Indian Railways. As a young boy, I used to travel to Grandma's place by the Howrah Mail from Madras. In 1989, on one such trip, My dad pointed out to a gigantic engine puffing smoke in the shed at Madras central as our train was leaving and said: "Manu, look, that's a steam engine". I forgot about steam engines later. In 1999(10 years later), I watched the National Geographic's special screening of this documentary on TV. I remembered my encounter with the puffing beasts in 1989. I couldn't stop crying by the end of this documentary. Starting in the early 80's the Steam engines of the Indian Railways have been slowly phased out of all the main lines in favor of Electric and Diesel locomotives due to economic pressures. By the turn of the 90's, it had become a rare sight to see a Steam-driven train. You can buy the DVD or VHS of this 115 minute documentary on nationalgeographic.com. It costs $15 including US local postage.

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[Runkleforskin]

WHOA 2:49 German swaztika :b

[binoyrakesh]

@Runkleforskin The Swatika has been a sacred symb ol of peace and prosperity in hinduism for more than three thousand years. The symbol is believed to bring good luck. The Nazis came much later.

there is a difference though bet ween the Hindu and Nazi Swastikas.. the direction of the arms.

[monukv]

Oh mate, Thanks very much for posting this vid. My family is say for 3 genertions part of IR.

My heart bleeds to see them retreat

[Gnickk]

How I mourn the end of steam.

[BhanuHabbo]

LOL the dog on the rails sleeping, whistle blows, "Oh, time to get up and go before I become dog kebab" XD

[drn1100]

Wo bhi kyaa jamana tha?

[niladrisil1]

I still remember horror stories surrounded by

steam train engine.

Steam engines are so romantic and nostalgic.