Indian Railways’ priceless possession John Morris Fire Engine bagged Statesman Challenge Trophy at the Vintage Car display
John Morris Fire Engine, one of the priceless possessions of Indian Railways maintained at the National Rail Museum New Delhi, participated at the 56th Statesman Vintage & Classic Car Rally organized by The Statesman and VCCI at Major Dhayanchand National Stadium on 15 Jan, 2023. The 56th Statesman Vintage & Classic Car Rally was flagged off from Statesman House. The John Morris Fire engine led the rally. It successfully bagged Statesman Challenge Trophy this year.
This elite vehicle became a talk of town and centre of attraction among the automobile lovers at the Rally. It even grabbed the attention of the Chief Guest Shri Shrikant Madhav Vaidya, Chairman, Indian Oil Corporation Indian Ltd. Shri Sanjay Arora, Delhi Police Commissioner joyfully sat on the driver seat of the fire engine.
John Morris Fire Engine, manufactured in 1914, was acquired by the Nizam of Hyderabad for the Nizam State Railway for dousing fires. It was maintained in the Loco & Carriage workshops at Lallaguda, Hyderabad and got retired in 1960. Currently, it is one of the star exhibits at National Rail Museum, New Delhi. It is the only vehicle in the world fitted with the original Shrewsbury and Challenger Solid Tyres and still retains all the original parts of its fire equipment.
The huge crowd flocked to witness this most prestigious vintage fire engine. The organizers appreciated the efforts of Executive Director, Heritage Dte, Railway Board and Director, National Rail Museum for their incredible contribution in maintaining and preserving this more than a century old fire engine. The fire engine graces the precincts of the National Rail Museum.
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YB