One of the last WP Pacific class locomotives photographed on a journey from
Calcutta to Madras in 1979.

An American design (by Baldwin Locomotive Works of Philadelphia) introduced after World War II
it was capable of 110km/hr and it remained Indian Railway's crack locomotive for many years.

It was designed for India's low-calory high-ash coal by Railway Board engineers in India and
several remained in service until the 1980's

This one was not in great condition.

Easily recognised by its bullet nose and silver star it pulled all the express trains
(between Calcutta, Bombay, Madras and Coimbatore) I rode on in my childhood.

Source: Indian Railways Fan Club web site at: http://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-loco-steam.html