Engine No.17--A Mysterious Industrial Steam Engine kept at SGSITS, Indore!
(Posted on 23/9/2024)
Pankaj Khanna
SGSITS 1983 Batch
Being a die-hard Rail-fan, it has been an old habit to cover a long distance just to see or to discuss a Steam Engine; dead or alive!
Luckily, our College SGSITS ( Shri Govindram Seksaria Institute of Technology and Science) Indore is also having a vintage small 0-4-0 Steam Locomotive (Narrow Gauge 2') kept in a reasonably good condition over a platform near the Parking Area of the College.
When we were students (1978-1983), it was kept near Heat Engines Laboratory. There was a huge boiler inside the lab; so we students were not much interested in this supposed to be haunted, mysterious, 'Four Eyed', abondoned Steam Engine no.-17 kept in the isolation.
Now while writing a blog on रेलसंगीत (on which 37 articles have already been written); thought to collect info about this mysterious Engine No.17 too. Recently visited college and took a few photographs of the gentle Steam Locomotive. Scanned it from outside but could not find any Technical or Manufacturer's details.
However, pleasantly found a descriptive plate punched on the body of the engine. And this is what they have mentioned on the Plate: "Donated by DPR Cassad, Managing Director, The CP Syndicate P. Ltd, Nagpur".
Having worked in HPCL Nagpur from 1985 to 1990, it was not that difficult to find phone number of at least one member of renowned Cassad family of Nagpur who owned Coal Mines (which are now owned by WCL, Coal India after Nationalization in 1973) in Chhindwara District and the their Company was known as "The CP Syndicate Pvt. Ltd, Nagpur".
Finally, I could talk with Neville J. Cassad over phone on 21/9/2024. Neville, Mr. DPR Cassad's Nephew, too was excited and delighted to know about the existence of such an Engine donated by the Cassad Family!
I was under the impression that the Engine was operated on the Narrow Gauge Satpura Railway line connecting Nagpur with nearby places like Jabalpur, Nainpur and Chanda Forte etc.
But Neville has corrected that the Engine was used to transport Coal from their Coal mines in Chhindwara District. However, he too was not aware about this donation.
So it is an Engine used in Mines when it was young, whistling hot and steamy! It's job was to transport dug out coal from the deep inside of the mines. Now it is our job to dig out more details about this Mysterious Engine no.17 and install the same on a High Pedastal for the posterity.
Still there are many more mysteries about it. Who built it? And when!? What made Mr. Dhunjishaw Pestonji Ratanji Cassad donate this Engine to SGSITS, Indore and not a college near Nagpur? What are the records available in our college about the donation? Is it possible to restore it to the original glory including the whistle? Should it be made a good Selfie Point for Students, Faculty, Alumni, Staff and other visitors?
Requesting SGSITS Alumni Association and the College Administration to kindly consider preserving the engine in the best possible manner while writing the details of the Engine and the donation in a large prominent display board. Everybody connected with SGSITS will agree that the Steam Locomotive and this act of donation do deserve more attention and respect. Afterall, it is matter of pride and heritage.
Let us all donate our views, thoughts and ideas on preserving the heritage of the Steam Locomotive and the Institution too.
Senior Retired Professors, the Cassad Family members and their relatives are also requested to contribute with their knowledge, information and anecdotes about this Steam Engine No.-17 and/or about Mr. DPR Cassad the donor.
Your comments on it will certainly help in knowing more about this Locomotive which will further help the College Authorities/Alumni Association in taking appropriate action to preserve this beauty for ever.
The process to resurrect the memories of this 'gentle and innocent beast' has begun. Shall update the details about the Donor and the Engine here itself at regular interval.
[Click here to read the Second Article: (2) More about Late Mr. DPR Cassad and his donation of the Engine to SGSITS, Indore. ( Posted on 2/11/2024 )
Click here to read the Third Article: Steam Locomotives at Academic Institutes. (Posted on 7/11/2024)
Click here to read 4th Article: Who built the Mysterious Steam Engine kept at SGSITS Indore.(Posted on 16/11/2024)
Click here for the fifth Article: Future Plan?! The Bawa has to sing and whistle! (Posted on 25/11/2024)]
Click here for the Sixth Article: Director SGSITS Indore agrees to shift the Engine... ( Posted on 26/12/2024)
Pankaj Khanna
Indore (MP)
Email: pankajharbans@gmail.com
Mobile: 9424810575
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हिन्दी में:
तवा संगीत : ग्रामोफोन का संगीत और कुछ किस्सागोई।
रेल संगीत: रेल पर फिल्माए गए गाने सन 1941के बाद से।
ईक्षक इंदौरी: इंदौर के पर्यटक स्थल। (लेखन जारी है।)
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In English:
Love Thy Numbers : Recreational Maths for all. May be useful for CAT-IIM aspirants too.
Epeolatry: For those who love the Languages.
CAT-a-LOG: About CAT-IIM Coaching. Useful for Students and Parents.
Corruption in Oil Companies: It is all about HPCL where I worked from 1984 to 2007.
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