John Morris Fire Engine, one of the priceless possessions of Indian Railways, has bagged Statesman Challenge Trophy on Sunday (15 January).
Maintained at the National Rail Museum in the capital, John Morris Fire Engine has participated at the 56th Statesman Vintage and Classic Car Rally organised by The Statesman and VCCI at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium on 15 January 2023.
Manufactured in 1914, John Morris Fire Engine was acquired by the Nizam of Hyderabad for the Nizam State Railway for dousing fires.
It was maintained in the Loco and Carriage workshops at Lallaguda, Hyderabad and was retired in 1960.
Currently, it is one of the star exhibits at the National Rail Museum in the capital. It is the only vehicle in the world fitted with the original Shrewsbury and Challenger Solid Tyres and still retains all the original parts of its fire equipment.
The 56th Statesman Vintage and Classic Car Rally was flagged off from Statesman House. The John Morris Fire Engine led the rally and took a route from Connaught Place to Purana Quila, Nizamuddin Bridge up to Noida and returned to National Stadium.
This elite vehicle became a talk of the town and centre of attraction among the automobile lovers at the rally. It even grabbed the attention of the chief guest Shrikant Madhav Vaidya, chairman, Indian Oil Corporation Indian. Sanjay Arora, Delhi Police Commissioner, sat in the driver’s seat of the fire engine and posed for pictures.
This fire engine is regularly bagging the trophies across various categories every year at the Statesman Car Rally. A huge crowd flocked to witness this most prestigious vintage fire engine.
The organisers appreciated the efforts of the heritage directorate of the Railway Board and director of the National Rail Museum for their incredible contribution in maintaining and preserving this more than a century old fire engine.