The Indian Steam Railway Society

The ISRS held its first conference on 2nd December 2002. The second conference will be held on 14th February 2004 at the Auditorium of the National Rail Museum New Delhi (note change of venue 26th January 2004). Click here for details.

The ISRS has its own mail group isrs-mail-subscribe@yahoogroups.com should get you in. (Added 11th June 2001). The ISRS maintains its own website: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/isrs-mail/files/ although you will have to register with Yahoo to use it. See also http://indiansteamrailwaysociety.in/, the site has been declared harmful by July 2020.

One of the most enduring images of India is that of hard working, smoke billowing steam train with a rural backdrop. Come year 2000 and with the closure of the last normal working steam shed at Wankaner, the scene will be seen around no more. There are no doubt many who will always miss this inimitable part of traveling in India that has been there right through the entire existence of railways in India.

Steam was good for railways only as long as it was considered cheaper to run steam locomotives in comparison with other forms of motive power. However there can be no doubt that steam will always have a stronghold in tourism sector for the reason that it evokes nostalgia of rail-travel in the bygone era. Darjeeling Himalayan Railways and Nilgiri Mountain Railways that are still worked by steam attract both domestic and overseas tourists by thousands but yet they are constantly endangered by the menace of diesel and even electric traction of late!

Indian Steam Railway Society (ISRS) was formed on October 23rd, 1999 when a group of like-minded people met and discussed the present scenario and future possibilities regarding the preservation of Indian Steam. Subsequently a formal non-profit Society was drafted and it has been registered with the Registrar of Societies, Delhi under Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860.

The founding President of the society was the late R.C.Sethi a retired as GM of IR. Mark Tully is the Vice-president, P.J. Singh is the Secretary and C. Ruthnaswamy is the Jt. Secretary. Abhimanyu Shaunik is the Treasurer and Harsh Vardhan is the Editor of the Newsletter of the Society. Other members of the managing committee are Arun Mohan, Ashwani Lohani, Bill Aitken and Ravindra Gupta.

The main purpose of the new Society is to form a common platform for the Indian Steam Railway Enthusiasts to exchange views and further their knowledge on the subject of Indian Steam Railway. The Society will also represent with the Indian Railway Board for more and more tourist special trains hauled by steam locomotives in near future.

The main aims and objectives for which the society is established are :

i)    To promote interest in and share the knowledge of the Indian Railways steam heritage and current developments amongst Steam Railway Enthusiasts by bringing
them to a common platform.

ii)    To stimulate public affection by intelligent exposure of Steam Railway's contribution to the Nation in the past and at present.

iii)    To create awareness of the excellence of the Indian Steam Railways Works and highlight the need for their preservation in the interest of science and technology facilitating transport and tourism.

iv)    To organise regular meetings, debates, seminars, competitions and quizs for the members and the public to exchange and further disseminate information on the
Steam Railways.

v)    To assist in preservation and revival of the remaining heritage of Railways run on steam in India.

vi)    To advise and if needed, assist the Government in the formation and implementation of policies relating to Indian Steam Railways.

vii)    To promote Steam Heritage Tourism

viii)    To participate in fund raising activities consistent with the aims.

ix)    To do all such other lawful activities as the Society considers conducive to the attainment of all or any of the above objectives.

The Managing Committee has also proposed formation of several chapters of the new society in the various railway zones as well as production and research units of Indian Railways like CLW, ICF, DLW and RDSO etc. Friends of the National Rail Museum (FNRM), an existing two year old support group, associated with assisting the preservation activities at the NRM has been incorporated as the first chapter of the ISRS.

ISRS members will initially meet at least once every month. No particular day and venue has yet been fixed for this meeting presently. Details of the meeting place and time can be obtained from P.J. Singh (6943565) or C. Ruthnaswamy (6139323). All the members are welcome to attend.

The annual membership fee of the Society is Rs. 100 per head for those residing in India. Annual membership for those residing outside India is US $ 5 (alternately Rs. 200). All Yearly memberships are offered for a calendar year only and expire in December of that year. Life membership fee for Indian Residents is Rs. 1000 per head and US $ 50 (alternately Rs. 2000) for those residing outside India. The Institutional membership fee is Rs. 5000/- per annum. All members of ISRS will automatically qualify to take part in the various activities of the various chapters and there will be no separate membership for the chapters of the ISRS. The executive committee has also decided to absorb the present life members of FNRM as life members of ISRS. Individual concerned members are also being intimated separately about this change.

All payments made towards the society including membership fee, advertisement booking etc. are now to be sent in form of a crossed Delhi Cheque /Demand Draft/IPO or Indian Postal Order payable at Delhi. The instrument is to be payable in the name of `Indian Steam Railway Society' and not in the name of any office bearer by name or designation.

Further details about the society and the membership forms can be obtained by writing to P.J. Singh, Secretary, ISRS, A-576, Sarita Vihar, New Delhi - 110 044. Contributions for the Newsletter marked to the Editor may also be sent to the above address.