<div align="justify">The steam-emitting locomotive that chugged along the tracks appeared like an ancient beast breathing back to life.<br /><br />A century ago it would have been normal for the steamer to barrel along, but on Sunday, it was the cynosure of the public who watched it with wild curiosity.<br /><br />Such an attention is justified when the locomotive in question is the world’s oldest, which was brought out of retirement for a brief ride.<br /><br />Cheered by heritage enthusiasts, the 162-year-old engine began its journey from the Chennai Egmore station to Kodambakkam, just a few kilometres away.<br /><br />The successful ride of the locomotive, EIR-21, which hauled a single coach with Southern Railway officials, was the sixth run of the world’s oldest working engine that bore an uncanny resemblance to its contemporary, the fairy queen (EIR-22).<br /><br />Made in the UK, the loco arrived by ship in India in 1855. After being taken out of service in 1909, it spent a century as a display object at the Jamalpur Workshop and Howrah Station, rusting away in sun and rain. At this time, many of its parts had either gone missing or almost completely rusted.<br /><br />Following its restoration though, the grand old loco seem to adopt modern technology like GPS-based speedometers with ease.</div>
<div align="justify">The steam-emitting locomotive that chugged along the tracks appeared like an ancient beast breathing back to life.<br /><br />A century ago it would have been normal for the steamer to barrel along, but on Sunday, it was the cynosure of the public who watched it with wild curiosity.<br /><br />Such an attention is justified when the locomotive in question is the world’s oldest, which was brought out of retirement for a brief ride.<br /><br />Cheered by heritage enthusiasts, the 162-year-old engine began its journey from the Chennai Egmore station to Kodambakkam, just a few kilometres away.<br /><br />The successful ride of the locomotive, EIR-21, which hauled a single coach with Southern Railway officials, was the sixth run of the world’s oldest working engine that bore an uncanny resemblance to its contemporary, the fairy queen (EIR-22).<br /><br />Made in the UK, the loco arrived by ship in India in 1855. After being taken out of service in 1909, it spent a century as a display object at the Jamalpur Workshop and Howrah Station, rusting away in sun and rain. At this time, many of its parts had either gone missing or almost completely rusted.<br /><br />Following its restoration though, the grand old loco seem to adopt modern technology like GPS-based speedometers with ease.</div>
