WP/P 7200 was the first of the 16 WP prototypes delivered by Baldwin Locomotive Works, Philadelphia in 1947. It is believed that 7200 was the gift of USA to India and was loaded on a cargo on 15th August 1947, the loco, however, reached the Indian shore in October 1947. Initially it went to Great Indian Peninsular Railway (GIPR) which later became Central Railway. But soon the locomotive was transferred to Northern Railway and initially homed at Moradabad loco shed and then transferred to Saharanpur loco shed.
The WP class was one of the most sophisticated steam locomotive class in the world which had a rated top speed of 110 kmph. But in trials they officially touched 118 kmph also and some...
more... other unofficial sources claim that it could touch 126 kmph. They served as crack locomotive in Indian Railway for several decades. Most of the prestigious trains of yesteryear s were hauled by them.
Photographer:- Santulan Mahanta