Nizam's John Morris fire engine bags Statesman Challenger trophy

New Delhi: After a gap of six years, John Morris, the world's fire engine fitted with the original Shrewsbury and Challiner solid tyres, has bagged the Statesman Challenger trophy.

The Pre-World-War-I engine, which was among the proud possessions of the Indian Railways and preserved at the National Rail Museum - New Delhi, achieved the distinction during the Statesman 53rd edition vintage car rally.

In an exclusive interview with ETV Bharat, Railway Board Member (Rolling Stock) Rajesh Agarwal opined that they were bound to preserve the vehicle and has to be served for posterity.

"Future generations should cherish icons like this and it has brought to us, what we are today. It is one of the rarest fire engine's and was sold to the then Nizam of Hyderabad in 1914. It was an active participant of the vintage car rally from 1981 till 2013 and had retired from the service in 2014. Its revival had added another feather in the cap for the Indian Railways," he remarked.

Agarwal also attributed the long record of its service not only due to the sturdiness, skill, and workmanship of its manufacturers but also the care and devotion put forth by the railwaymen in maintaining it.

Though retired from service, the fire engine was preserved in good condition at Lallaguda Workshops until it was chosen as an exhibit by then Rail Transport Museum (National Rail Museum).