Puri: Finally the century old Heritage Steam Locomotive PL-692 placed at BNR Hotel at Puri has been repaired and got a new look.
The railway ministry received representations from different sections of society requesting for the maintenance and upkeep of the locomotive as the salinity in the air had damaged the engine. Its roof, roof and boiler room had corroded. Under the direction of Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw the locomotive was repaired and repainted.
The Indian Railways Catering & Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has taken over the management of the BNR Hotel but they lacked resources and technical expertise for the maintenance of the locomotive. They requested East Coast Railway for its maintenance and agreed to bear the expenditure.
The locomotive was imported by the Maharaja of Paralakhemundi. It was run by Parlakimedi Light Railway (PLR). The Paralakhemundi Engine known as “PL Class” was built by Kerr, Stuart and Company of England in 1904. Weight of the engine ‘PL-692’ is 20 tonnes. This locomotive was running on narrow gauge of PLR in the Naupada-Gunupur Railway Section.