Westbound out of Malakwal

Although diesels were beginning to appear in the area the environs of Malakwal were one of the strongholds of steam in Pakistan in 1992. There was a distinctly Edwardian feel to the motive power which comprises SPS (Standard Passenger Superheated 4-4-0) and SGS (Standard Goods Superheated 0-6-0) oil fired locomotives.

To get here it was a long drive down from Islamabad and into the recently flood devastated area adjacent to the Indus Valley. In several places the road had washed away and detours into the desert-like landscape were necessary to find our way to this remote town. We were made very welcome by the station staff and given tea and cake in the telegraph (yes, real telegraph machines) office and later the same at the locomotive depot. It was very hot but the opportunity to photograph the twilight years of these veteran locomotives made it worthwhile.

Here (Vulcan Foundry built 1911, I think) SPS 3191 gently leads a westbound departure past just a few of the magnificent array of semaphore signals around the station.