P R 4-4-0s and more
Pakistan Railways' broad gauge system was quite steamy in January 1988. Three BESA (British Engineering Standards Association) types which originated in the early 1900s could still be seen at work, including SPS Inside cylinder 4-4-0s, a type which had been common on many UK railways, but had virtually disappeared by the early 1960s. The type had finished in India too, but were still at work in Pakistan and Malakwal was the centre to see them in action. There was also the added attraction of SGS inside cylinder 0-6-0s, another BESA design, a typically British locomotive type, and BESA HGS 2-8-0s.
4-4-0 2998 is at Jaurah Casnana on train 433 from Sargodha to Lala Musa.
Classmate 2999 departs Malakwal with train 434 from Lala Musa to Sargodha. This had arrived from Lala Musa with another 4-4-0, 3005. Plenty of semaphore signals here to add to the scene.
Next morning 2999 returned on train 433 from Sargodha which it worked through to Lala Musa. Note the fine signal gantry in the background.
4-4-0 3078 trundles train 202 from Lala Musa across the Lower Jellum Canal Bridge on its way into Malakwal.
0-6-0 2410 arrives from Gharibwal with a mixed consist, two carriages and 12 tank wagons, while 4-4-0 3078 waits to come off shed for another working.
Very smart 4-4-0 3005 awaits its next duty at Malakwal shed.
Even smarter 0-6-0 2405 is well dressed, not even on a railtour, it was seen at Khewra on train 470 from Malakwal.
4-4-0 3172 steams out of Malakwal at 08.05 on train 455 to Lala Musa.
In two days at Malakwal, we saw eighteen 4-4-0s either working, spare or under repair - pretty good for 1988!