Tech & Auto
Some Of The Oldest Locomotives Ever Built Are Still In Service Today
By JOE HINDY
The Fairy Queen
Manufactured in 1855, The Fairy Queen has been active on and off ever since. The locomotive typically ran between Howrah and Raniganj in India.
After many decades on display and in museums, The Fairy Queen returned to service, generally hauling tourists and enthusiasts to and from Delhi and Alwar.
GKB 671
The GKB 671 was built in 1860 and started life at the Federal Railway of Austria as part of the Südbahn Class 23 series of locomotives.
Today, only the GKB 671 remains of the series. It's part of the Graz-Köflach railway, and after some modernization, it still runs to this day, carrying tourists a few days a month.
Schynige Platte
Located in the Bernese Highlands of Switzerland, Schynige Platte Railway operates several locomotives, many of which are ancient by today's standards.
The railway's oldest locomotive is the H 2/3, built in 1894. While the other locomotives are all-electric, the H 2/3 is steam-powered and regularly runs for tourists.
475
The Norfolk and Western 475 steam locomotive started life at the Norfolk and Western Railway, where it operated on various routes until its retirement in 1957.
After changing ownership for several decades, it ended up on the iconic Strasburg Rail Road in 1993, where it underwent a $600,000 restoration and was returned to service.
National 7312
Built in 1908 and refurbished in 1960, the Canadian National 7312 was originally used for freight on the Canadian National Railway before it was retired in 1957.
In 1960, Strasburg Rail Road purchased the 7312. While the 7312 was used for some time, it was removed in 2009 for its mandatory FRA inspection and overhaul and has yet to return.