Kunnar: The railway authorities have decided to change the ‘burnous oil’ engine to diesel engines in Gunnar hill trains. Tourists are more interested in traveling by hill train between Gunnar-Ooty, Gunnar-Mettupalayam in Nilgiri district. Railway service started in 1899 on the mountain railway line from Mettupalayam-Kunnar. This mountain train was powered by ‘X Class’ coal-fired steam locomotives for centuries; In 2002, these were converted to ‘Burness Oil’ engines. The Central Pollution Control Board banned it due to environmental pollution caused by Barnes oil. Last March, the number 98 hill train was converted from Barnes oil to diesel engine. Now its trial run has been completed. The ‘nose’ of the engines has been changed and the burner and valve station system have been redesigned. Thus, the soot pollution is reduced and only steam comes out of the engine. Therefore, the railway officials said that the Barnes oil engine will soon be replaced with diesel engine in other mountain trains as well.
He is the reason!
Railway senior technician Manikam, 55, has been instrumental in converting Barnes oil engines to diesel. In 2002, he was responsible for converting coal-fired steam locomotives to burnish oil, and in 2003, he was awarded the National Award for Outstanding Service by the Railway Department. Railway employees are appreciating him for his excellent work for 29 years.
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