Hyderabad/New Delhi, Feb.9 (RAHNUMA): A historic 111-year-old John Morris Fire Engine, originally used by the H.E.H Nizam State Railway in Hyderabad, won two prestigious awards at the 59th Statesman Vintage and Classic Car Rally 2026 held in New Delhi on February 8.
The heritage vehicle received the “Indian Oil Heritage Preservation Trophy”, awarded to the oldest vehicle participating in the rally, and the “Automotive Trust British Heritage Preservation Trophy”, recognising exceptional maintenance of British-manufactured vintage vehicles.
Manufactured in 1914, the fire engine is now a prized exhibit at the National Rail Museum, New Delhi, while its maintenance is handled by technical staff from the South Central Railway’s Lallaguda Carriage Workshop. The rally covered a 90-km route from the Statesman Building to Greater Noida and back to Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
Notably, the vehicle still retains its original fire equipment, including Shrewsbury and Challenger solid tyres and an Ajax gun-metal turbine pump – making it one of the rarest preserved fire engines in the world.
Railway Board Chairman Satish Kumar inspected the vehicle ahead of the rally and announced a cash award of Rs.50,000 in appreciation of the workshop team’s maintenance standards. SCR General Manager Sanjay Kumar Srivastava congratulated the team, calling the recognition a matter of pride for the zone.
