This Article is From May 15, 2016

130-Year-Old Century Express Chugs Into Pages Of History

130-Year-Old Century Express Chugs Into Pages Of History

Century Express started running in 1885 and ran from Lucknow to Mailani via Sitapur. (Representational Image)

Highlights

  • The train set course for last time as the track is being converted
  • Century Express started in 1885, ran between Lucknow and Mailani
  • Aishbagh-Sitapur-Mailani-Pilibhit track closed for gauge conversion
Lucknow: The famous Century Express passenger train set course for the last time as the city's 130-year-old British-era narrow-gauge track was closed for conversion into broad gauge.

On its last trip, the Aishbagh-Sitapur passenger train running from Lucknow to Mailani via Sitapur was given a warm send-off by hundreds of passengers and onlookers.

"From today, the Century Express will run no more," said a young commuter while displaying a selfie he took for posterity when the train embarked on its last journey yesterday evening.

North Eastern Railway spokesperson Alok Srivastava said the train was started in 1885 and all the 32 railway employees attached to the train in various capacities were present on its farewell journey.

The train was popular among local passengers, vendors and especially young couples passing their time in a remote corner of a desolate compartment, away from the prying eyes of the public.

These trains transported 10,000 litre milk from Sitapur to Lucknow every day. "It will be difficult to transport such a huge quantity everyday by bus," said a vendor.

Aishbagh-Sitapur-Mailani-Pilibhit section has been closed for gauge conversion and there would be no trains henceforth on the metre gauge, the brainchild of Lord Mayo, then Viceroy of India, based on calculations to allow four persons to sit abreast comfortably.

Ten other meter-gauge trains including Rohillkhand Express, Nainital Express, Agra Fort, Aishbagh-Tinsukia, Aishbagh-Mailani and Aishbagh-Pilibhit passenger, will also cease to run on the track as a result of the gauge conversion.
.