India_Mayuram_ST_37370_shunt_Skoda_977_1939_30_11_1979.jpg (152629 bytes)

t Mayuram, Southern Railway MG 2-6-4T ST 37370 (Skoda 977/1939) runs round, to pick up its next passenger train; 30.11.1979. Roger Griffiths roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

India_Mayuram_T663_Mayuram-Tarangambadi_pssgr_ST_37370_Skoda_977_1939_30_11_1979.jpg (151212 bytes)

In mid-day sun, MG 2-6-4T ST 37370 (Skoda 977/1939) departs from Mayuram with T663 Mayuram-Tarangambadi passenger. Tarangambadi is interesting in that from 1620 it was a Danish enclave on the coast of India, until being sold to Britain in 1845. The single-track branchline to the town closed in 1986. 30.11.1979. Roger Griffiths roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

India_Mayuram_shed_ST_37367_on_turntable_NW_1650_1938_30_11_1979.jpg (151729 bytes)

By November 1979 Mayuram engine shed was home to the remaining MG Class ST 2-6-4T. ST 37367 (Naysmith Wilson 1650/1938) uses the turntable at Mayuram engine shed; 30.11.1979. Roger Griffiths roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

India_Mayuram_shed_coaling_area_ST_37367_NW_1650_1938_ST_37377_Skoda_984_1939_ST_37370_Skoda_977_1939_30_11_1979.jpg (148531 bytes)

Mayuram engine shed's coaling and fire-cleaning area was an all-in-one, rudimentary affair. Three Class ST 2-6-4T receive attention - left to right: ST 37367 (NW 1650/1938), ST 37377 (Skoda 984/1939), ST 37370 (Skoda 977/1939); 30.11.1979. Roger Griffiths roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

India_Mayuram_shed_coaling_ash_reclamation_ST_37370_Skoda_977_1939_30_11_1979_-_Copy.jpg (149586 bytes)

Indian Railways had a motto: "Coal is gold". Here is the locomotive firebox cleaning area at Mayuram shed with ST 37370 (Skoda 977/1939) having had its fire cleaned for men to shovel the hot ash from the pit, for women to sift by hand, to reclaim any unburned particles. Hot, gruelling work! 30.11.1979. Roger Griffiths roger.griffiths@hotmail.com