GANGTOK,: The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
(DHR), a UNESCO World Heritage site under the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR),
continues to captivate visitors from around the world throughout the year.
In
a significant move to promote and preserve this heritage marvel, NFR has
restored the century-old vintage steam engine, known as ‘Baby Sivok,’ and added
it to the many attractions of the DHR, informs a press release.
The
remarkable restoration effort was unveiled on December 7 during the Ghum Winter
Festival, where the steam engine was officially flagged off by NFR general
manager Chetan Kumar Shrivastava.
The
‘Baby Sivok’ is now proudly displayed at Ghum, offering tourists a tangible
link to the railway’s rich legacy.
The
steam engine ‘Baby Sivok’ started life more than a hundred years ago as a
contractor’s locomotive engine from Orenstein & Koppel in Germany.
It
is believed to have been instrumental in the construction of the Teesta Valley
and Kishanganj branches of the DHR, earning its name from Sivok station on the
Teesta Valley line.
After
decades of service, the engine retired in the 1970s and was displayed in
Siliguri during the late 1990s. Since 2000, it had been an outdoor exhibit at
Ghum station, where it gradually fell into disrepair. Recognizing its
historical value, the steam engine was transported to the Tindharia Workshop,
where it underwent meticulous restoration by the skilled in-house staff of NFR,
bringing it back to life while preserving its original charm.
The
restoration of the ‘Baby Sivok’ steam engine represents a milestone in the
conservation of DHR’s heritage.
This
effort not only preserves a tangible piece of history but also serves as a
focal point to celebrate the engineering marvels of the past. Its display at
Ghum enriches the tourist experience, providing an opportunity to appreciate
the unique heritage of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway.
To
ensure the continued preservation and promotion of the DHR, NFR actively
engages with various stakeholders, including tour operators, cultural groups,
and the local population.
These
collaborative efforts emphasize the importance of heritage conservation while
enhancing the cultural and historical value of the region, the release mentions.
