India, Jan. 27 -- The undulating hills, the winding tracks, and the steam engine laboriously lurching along the narrow gauge. While the carefree coaches behind merrily rumbling by the changing scenery-now passing by a village, now by a misty meadow overlooking a snowy peak. Throughout the journey, the hard-working engine continues to huff n' puff, the coupling rods clanking over the wheels, the smoke-stack belching out murky clouds into the cold mountain air. This black smoke wafts over the pristine slopes long after the mail is already on the next hill.

The mountainous Kalka-Shimla railway continues to operate, though the age of steam engine has vanished. But one steam engine that would routinely traverse through the scenic Himalayan la...