M2-162 --- The M class locomotives were specifically designed to haul the mail/express trains on the Delhi-Ahmedabad meter-gauge trunk route of BB & CI until 1970s. Originally a batch of 35 M class locomotives was imported from Dubs & Company, Glasgow, Scotland built in the year 1880. These 4-4-0 locos with inside cylinders were the only MG locomotive ever on Indian Railways with such arrangement. As these locos were so popular among the crews at that time, that after the end of codal life of original batch they had to be either rebuilt or replaced by the Ajmer Workshop of RMR.

This locomotive # 162 is one such example of rebuilt M class built at Ajmer in 1923 with larger cylinders and superheated boilers. This is the only locomotive built with joist gear. Used to be called as 'Dutchess of York', now stands quietly as an exhibit in National Rail Museum, New Delhi. Photographed by Rudranil RoyChowdhury. D.O.P. - 19th September 2018.