Asia's 1st woman loco pilot retires after 36 years

India Sep 30, 2025

Surekha Yadav, who broke barriers as Asia's first woman loco pilot, has retired after 36 years with Indian Railways.
Starting out in 1989, she went on to drive iconic trains like the Vande Bharat Express and Rajdhani Express—paving the way for women in a field once dominated by men.

Yadav's final journey on Rajdhani Express

Yadav just finished her final journey at the controls of the Rajdhani Express, capping off a career filled with milestones—from being Asia's first woman loco pilot in 1990 to leading major express routes.
Indian Railways gave her a heartfelt send-off, calling her an inspiration for generations to come.