AFTER much anticipation, Darjeeling Himalayan Railway locomotive No 19 has arrived at the Launceston Steam Rail­way.

Owned by Adrian Shooter, it is on loan to the railway for approximately six weeks, where it will be available for viewing when not in use hauling passenger trains.

The locomotive is the only one to be seen outside India, where the DHR has been granted world heritage status, such is its importance. The locomotive was built at the Atlas Works of Sharp Stewart in Glasgow in 1889, and has been rebuilt twice, once at the Tindharia Works of the DHR in 1908, and more recently on its return to the UK by Tyseley Works in 2004.

Now fitted with a tender and air brakes, it is fully equipped to run on two foot gauge railways in this country, giving us a chance to think back to the days when the UK built and supplied locomotives all around the world.

On August 19 and 20, the Darjeeling Railway Society will be bringing an Indian flavour to Launceston station, where they will be setting up stalls and displays, and demonstrating Indian crafts. Souvenirs will be available, and No 19 will be in steam on both days. The money raised by the society is used to support the communities alongside the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway in India by funding education and medical facilities, for example.