Steam locomotives at the Darjeeling train yard (India)

The two locomotives in the front (#788 "Tusker" and -#782 "Mountaineer") are warm and ready to work. One of them will be used to pull the next train, while a spare one is kept ready in case of last-minute problems with the main one. Because it takes hours to heat-up the steam boiler, the two steam engines must be warm and ready hours before the train is scheduled to leave. A railroad worker is staying up all night and feeding coal in their furnaces to keep both engines warm.

The locomotive in the back (#804 "Queen of the Hills") is undergoing maintenance.

For more information about this place and to view more photos, go to the photo album.