Picture of some old locos from Bandikui Locoshed .

Bandikui, more than just a junction, was once a thriving hub of the Western Railway, home to a loco shed that housed some magnificent steam engines.

Back to 1993 at Bandikui Junction! Here, a majestic steam locomotive begins its journey to Agra. A beautiful glimpse into the golden era of Indian Railways from our very own Bandikui.

These powerful machines were the lifeblood of the metre gauge network, hauling everything from critical goods to the most luxurious passenger trains. 

According to a historical listing from the 1970s for Metre Gauge (MG) steam sheds, the Bandikui Loco Shed had an allocation of:

   YP class locomotives (20 units)

   YG class locomotives (34 units)

   WD class locomotives (13 units)

WD 1506 : A Global Design in Bandikui.

Meet the rugged WD 1506. This isn't just any metre gauge loco; it's a piece of international railway history. Built by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO), its design originates from the American War Department (hence the name 'WD'). It’s an engine whose blueprint was so robust it was also used for the AC 16 class in Queensland, Australia!

WD 1506 was proudly dedicated to the Bandikui Loco Shed fleet, tirelessly hauling freight and passenger trains for the Western Railway. The photo, believed to be taken at Achhnera in 1978, captures this powerful machine near the end of its working life, a true Bandikui workhorse. This engine highlights the crucial role international designs played in India's railway development and Bandikui’s importance in housing them.

YG 3415/38 : The Engine That Pulled The Rolality. 

This is the picture of YG 3415 originally allotted to Bandikui Locoshed then transfer to Rewari loco Heritage for its preservation.

The YG 3471 locomotive, which is officially assigned to the Bandikui Locoshed. This machine is truly impressive. 

From heavy freight to international luxury, the Bandikui shed housed them all. The pair of 2-8-2 YG class locomotives, 3415 and 3438, hold a special distinction. These were the magnificent engines chosen to haul the world-famous luxury trains, ‘The Palace on Wheels’ and later ‘The Royal Orient’, for many years!

Imagine the prestige of having the maintenance and operations base for these iconic tourist trains right here in Bandikui. Originally, the locomotives were attached to the Bandikui shed, serving as the glamorous face of Indian Railways. As the steam era wound down, especially when steam haulage was reduced between Delhi and Rewari, they were eventually transferred to the Rewari shed (now a famous museum).

The YP Class : King of Bandikui's Metre Gauge.

The YP Class steam locomotive was the majestic backbone of the Metre Gauge (MG) passenger network, making the Bandikui Loco Shed (BKI) a critical hub in North Western India.

Known as a "Pacific" due to its 4-6-2 wheel arrangement, the YP was a highly reliable, standardized post-Independence design. Its robust power (approx. 938 HP) and stability allowed it to haul express and mail trains efficiently across the region, connecting cities like Jaipur and Agra.

In the 1970s, the BKI(Bandikui)shed maintained a significant fleet of roughly 20 YP locomotives, dedicating them to premier passenger duties. This made Bandikui central to MG operations. The era ended with the arrival of diesel engines and Project Unigauge, but the YP remains the defining symbol of Bandikui's historic "Rail City" status.

Sources 

BKI Shed Data: YP Allocation at Bandikui in the 1970s (IRFCA FAQ):

   Link: https://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-shed2.html

YP Class Specs: Technical specifications and builders list (Wikipedia):

   Link:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_locomotive_class_YP

Steam History: Classification and duty of Metre Gauge steam classes (IRFCA):

    Link: https://www.irfca.org/articles/isrs/isrs082004-steam-history.html

Preservation: Details on the preserved YP locomotive, 'Rewari King':

   Link: https://rewaristeamloco.com/RailMuseum/RewariKing