September 23, 2025

Buckle up for a story of passion, grit, and breaking barriers! Surekha Yadav, Asia’s first woman loco pilot, is gearing up to retire on September 30 after 36 thrilling years on the Indian Railways. From the small town of Satara, Maharashtra, this trailblazer turned her dream into a roaring reality, inspiring 2,037 women across the country who now drive trains on India’s vast railway tracks. Yadav’s journey started when she moved to Mumbai with a diploma in electrical engineering, not knowing she was about to rewrite history. "Passion for the job kept me going," she proudly shared. In 1989, after six months of training, she cleared the tough exam to become an assistant loco pilot and joined Central Railway. “I cleared the exam for the assistant loco pilot and joined Central Railway after six months of training. Women usually do not opt to become a loco pilot as they have to work in difficult conditions. However, I was excited when I cleared the exam and got a chance to become the first woman to operate a train,” Yadav told businessline. Starting with piloting goods trains, Yadav soon earned her stripes and moved to passenger long-distance trains. By 2000, she was steering Mumbai’s heartbeats – the Central Railway local trains – traveling routes from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus to Thane, Badlapur, Karjat, and Kasara. One of her proudest moments was piloting the iconic Mumbai-Pune Deccan Queen through the challenging Bhor Ghat. Her family stood firm like a rock: “My parents supported my decision to become a loco pilot in a male-dominated profession, and after marriage, my husband too stood by me,” she said. Living in Thane with her husband, a retired State government employee, and their two children, Yadav now has some heartfelt advice for aspirants. “Working as a loco pilot is not a regular or easy job. It involves working long hours, often during the night, and a single mistake could lead to a major railway accident,” she warned. Yadav also pointed out the tough realities of the job: “One will be required to operate trains under difficult situations. Small challenges also include that there are no washroom facilities on board, and you cannot just leave the train to use one.” Yet, her unstoppable passion kept her strong and steady, paving the way for countless women to dream big and reach far. Surekha Yadav’s story is proof that with courage and heart, no track is impossible to conquer!

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Tags: Surekha yadav, First woman loco pilot, Indian railways, Women in railways, Trailblazer, Retirement,