IR BNR 38815Safdar Jang NCT Safdar Jang

A behemoth hulking over pygmy locomotives is this mighty Garratt engine, undisputedly the heaviest and most powerful steam locomotive class ever used on the IR. Weighing a massive 235 tonnes, this Garratt was used on the erstwhile BNR for heavy mineral and iron ore trains, a typical feature of that railway. The beast could easily haul a 2400 tonne train unaided up a 1 in 100 incline. Classed 'N', there were the only heavyweight Garratts in India with a 4-8-0 + 0-8-4 wheel arrangements. Subsequent additions to the fleet were lighter 2-8-2 + 2-8-2 machines, classed MN, P etc. One of these later light Garratts is preserved in the Kharagpur workshops. Paradoxically, the Garratts could run on lightly laid track, as their weight is spread out over a long wheelbase.

Nice loc!

thanks