Saddle tank number EM207, coupled with the Prince of Wales's saloon. The engine plate tells us that the engine itself was built by Dübs & Co., Glasgow Locomotive Works, 1878. The saloon was built earlier, in preparation for the Prince of Wales's visit to India of 1875-6. These two together constitute one of the outdoor exhibits at the National Rail Museum, Shanti Path, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, India. [Click on the images to enlarge them.]
The EM207 Engine
Left: Closer view of the engine. Right: View showing the engine plate, painted white
The highly successful locomotive works of Dübs and Company was founded in Glasgow by the German engineer and works manager Henry Dübs (1816-1876). He had originally come over to Britain to take a look at engineering works here, and had stayed, rising to become manager at the Vulcan Foundry near Warrington in 1842: Robert Stephenson himself was a partner here, and the first train to operate on the Indian railways, on 16 April 1853, was made in this foundry during Dübs's own time there. Eventually, Dübs went to Glasgow and in 1863 decided to set up on his own account, designing the engines himself and getting a good reputation in the domestic market.
A close-up of the engine plate on Dübs & Co.'s EM207.
In 1867 the company began exporting its locomotives not only to India, but also to Europe and Russia, and later to New Zealand and China. After Dübs died, the company continued until 1903 under William Lorimer. Then it became part of the North British Locomotive Co. By then, according to Grace's Guide, the works had built 4,485 locomotives. Dübs was one of the original Members of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, founded in 1847, and in 1874, not long before his rather early death at 60, he had become managing director of the Steel Company of Scotland at Newton, near Glasgow. His obituary in the papers of the Institution comments on "his great capacity for organising workmen and systematising work" (See "Henry Dübs and Co."). It is good to see this locomotive preserved, and coupled with a royal saloon.
Photographs, formatting and text by Jacqueline Banerjee. You may use these images without prior permission for any scholarly or educational purpose as long as you (1) credit the photographer and (2) link your document to this URL in a web document or cite the Victorian Web in a print one.]
Related Material
Sources
"Henry Dubs." Grace's Guide: British Industrial History. Web. 28 March 2014.
Shankar, S. "National Rail Museum, New Delhi." IRFCA.org (website of the Indian Railways Fan Club). Web. 28 March 2014.
Last modified 28 March 2014