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By December 1979 only a few of the seventy-two Indian Railway Standard (IRS) "Heavy Pacific" of Class XC remained in service, all at the Eastern Railways' Burdwan engine shed. With little work to do and a short future ahead, in green livery with some red lining-out, XC 22214 (Vulcan Foundry 4333/1929) was shed pilot at Burdwan; 2.12.1979. Roger Griffiths roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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So dirty the green paint could not be seen, IRS "Heavy" 4-6-2 XC 22225 (VF 4134/1928) was said to be on "stand-by duty" at the Eastern Region's Burdwan engine shed, but it must be wondered how effective it would have been if called upon to be an active stand-by! Note the BWN stencilled below the locomotive's cab side number, indicating that it was allocated to Burdwan depot; 2.12.1979. Roger Griffiths roger.griffiths@hotmail.com

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The sun may, metaphorically, be about to set upon the XC Class Pacifics, but although physically it had set on 2nd December 1979, the moon still cast a light upon XC 22225 (VF 4134 1928). Roger Griffiths roger.griffiths@hotmail.com