Steam rail enthusiasts happy with vintage Safari train revival

PESHAWAR: Steam rail enthusiasts have welcomed the announcement by the government to resume the vintage Khyber Steam Safari.Responding to a question during his recent visit to Peshawar, Railway Minister Sh Rasheed Ahmad had stated that he has instructed railway officials to meet private representatives to restart the vintage Khyber Steam Safari from Peshawar and also between Golra Railway Museum and Taxila.

The minister had stated that the Peshawar to Landikotal railway track that had been washed away due to floods and it had not been repaired for lack of funds in the past, but it would now be revamped.In this connection, a study is being conducted to lay down a new track from Peshawar to Shalman in the Khyber tribal district, according to the minister.Shafiqullah Khan, a railways expert and member of Pakistan Railway Heritage Society, met local steam enthusiasts in Peshawar recently.

He is credited with helping to set up PR's Golra Museum and restoration of the Attock Khurd railway station.He was confident that if there was a will, the Khyber Steam Safari could be fully operationalised with minimal resources.

Shafiqullah Khan suggested utilising the century-old Railway Institute Club building presently lying vacant as a base for the revival of steam railways for tourism purposes and displaying of artifacts from the erstwhile North-Western Railways or NWR.