C. E. Phillips stands in front of a “YP” class engine used for hauling
the Queen’s Special
A VANISHING TRIBE
CYRIL EDMOND PHILLIPS
was once upon a time almost synonymous to a sparkling & highly efficient
steam locomotive. Like the steam engines he belonged to a vanishing species –
that of absolutely dedicated Anglo-
Indian drivers.
Born on Christmas eve in 1909 in Ahmedabad (Gujarat) to an
Irish father & and an Anglo-Indian mother, young Cyril grew up to join the
loco shops of the Bombay- Baroda & Central India Railways in Ajmer
following the footsteps of his late father. After four years at the loco shops
he was put on the line, starting as a fireman, earning Rs 80 a month.
He became a shunter after seven & a half years, drawing
a salary of Rs 120 a month. Within one year he was promoted as a “C” grade
driver – running goods trains. Soon thereafter he rose to becoming a “B” grade
driver and finally a class “A” driver, passing thought the selection board as
an outstanding candidate. “I superseded
50 drivers in the process he mentioned.”
During his stint as a driver he was posted at Ajmer, Phulera, Abu Road, Neemuch
& Banndikui. I saw him drive the F1, F2 & F3 class of engines and later
the G2 “P” the “M” and the “YP” classes, remarked Dike Carr, his coworker &
trainee.
As a mail driver he drove many Raja Specials, President
Specials – once carrying Dr Rajendra Prasad and the other time Dr
Radhakrishnan.
But the “Once in a
Lifetime” kind of opportunity came his way when he was called forth to driver
Queen Elizabeth II from Jaipur to
Sawai Madhopur for a tiger hunt. It was 1961, his Divisional Superintendent
sent for him, informing him that he had been selected to drive the “Queen’s
Special”
I spent one week learning the road, he recalled. Jaipur to
Sawi Madhopur was a completely new track for me & I had to spend hours
analyzing every curve, climb & signal he mentioned. I had to get used to
the gradients, so as to know where exactly to give the engine a push &
where to shut off the steam.
The big day came, and it was January 22nd. We
started with the Queen & the entourage at around 10 pm and reached Sawi
Madhopur at 2 am. There was another engine pushing the train from behind &
a pilot engine running a little ahead of us.
At 7 am the Divisional Superintendent sent his man to inform
us that the Queen desired to see us at 9 am. The entire railway staff was ready
to be introduced to “Her Majesty” He
remembers every moment in detail.
She was first introduced to the senior officials – shaking
hands with each one of them. When his turn came, to everyone’s astonishment - “Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth” removed her
elbow length glove and then shook hands with him. The seniors were just aghast with disbelief,
he recalls.
A letter was later issued by the Divisional Superintendent
which he still fondly preserves, bears testimony to his services.
The BB & CI Railways became Western Railways only after
1947. Within the princely States the branch lines were solely operated by their
respective staff. Even if a BB & CI train had to reverse on a branch line,
the State Railway Staff would take over charge from us.
We would work for 18- 20 hours continuously those days, but
when it came to food & dinning, we would get the best at the refreshment
rooms. One could get a plate full of fowl curry and rice, enough to feed three
people, at just 12 annas. The inside of the steam engine was really miserable
during summers, and the winters were cold. I would place some burning coal on
the foot board to keep me warm.
There were virtually no accidents, none what so ever.
Maintenance in those days was perfect, and we had competent staff, trained by
competent people, he says proudly.
There were no dacoits & robberies, expecting a few stray
incidents of pilferage here & there, but I always carried my hatch on every
trip. The Thakuria tribes of Bhandu, one station ahead of Abu Road were particularly notorious for
lifting up sheep & goats from railway wagons.
“Between Chitrasani and Palanpur there used to be a lot of
wild animals, crossing the railway tracks. Moribera with its hilly tracks was
another spot for wildlife action & was noted for panthers & wild boars.
At 74 today, in-spite of his heart ailments and religious
proclivities C. E. Phillips spends each day constructively. He applies his
mechanical skills to everything in & around the house, from repairing
leaking taps to overhauling a washing machine.
“On the engine I used to be a different man - I wanted work & I
wanted a clean engine. – He is no different today.
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EDITOR – PRAVIN GUPTA
DATE – 20 JULY 1980
NEWSPAPER – TIMES OF INDIA –
AHMEDABAD
Amended by Chris Rose (Grandson)
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