Historic narrow gauge engine on display at main entrance of Bhopal's Rani Kamlapati station; learn more about the heritage asset
The glorious heritage of Indian Railways will now be seen by
passengers at Rani Kamlapati station. West Central Railway has preserved and
displayed the historic narrow gauge engine NG LOCO No. 514 (ZDM5) at the main
entrance of the station.
The historic narrow gauge engine, which operated on the Dholpur narrow gauge line, began its service on June 3, 1991, and concluded on April 1, 2019. It was officially granted heritage status on November 3, 2023. The engine was transported from Dholpur to Bhopal on July 23, 2025.
Last regular journey was on 1 April 2019
This historical heritage has been installed in the station
premises under the guidance of Divisional Railway Manager Devashish Tripathi.
Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Saurabh Kataria said that this 22 tonne
engine started its operational journey from Dholpur on 3 June 1991 and ran on
narrow gauge (762 mm) tracks for nearly three decades. Its last regular journey
was on 1 April 2019 in the Tantpur-Mathura section.
Engine was run for the last time on 30 March 2023 as a technical test
After this, the engine was run for the last time on 30 March
2023 as a technical test and was formally retired on 1 April 2023. This
locomotive based on diesel vacuum system was maintained by the Dholpur Diesel
Loco Shed of North Central Railway.
Railway Board granted it the status of 'Heritage Asset'
The Railway Board granted it the status of 'Heritage Asset' on 3 November 2023. This engine was brought from Dholpur to Bhopal on 23 July 2025 and is now permanently displayed at the entrance of Rani Kamlapati station. It is not only a heritage worth seeing for the passengers but also a living document to understand the story of the development of Indian Railways.
Prakash Kumar Pandey