  |
|
History of the Indian Railways
A CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY OF INDIA'S RAILWAYS |
|
| Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page
4 |
|
| 1950 - 1988 |
|
| 1950 |
Introduction of second class only "Janata Expresses". |
| 1951-52 |
Regrouping systematically carried out to form six zones. This was later rearranged to form nine zones. |
| 1958 |
Howrah - Burdwan section electrified with 3000 v DC,
overhead. |
| 1960 |
25,000 v AC 50 hz electric traction adopted |
| 1984 |
The first stretch of the Calcutta Metro, India's
first underground railway, opened. |
| 1988 |
Introduction of Shatabdi Expresse, India's fastest
train, between Delhi and Jhansi, later followed by similar trains linking other destinations. |
 |
A WDM2 (Co-Co) diesel electric locomotive, made in India. |
| |
|
 |
Calcutta Metro Railway. |
|
|
| |
1952 |
Number of locomotive classes reduced to 377 |
| |
1955 |
The Integral Coach factory established at Perambur,
near Madras. |
| |
1961 |
Chittaranjan Locomotive Works produces first mainline
electric locomotive. |
| |
1962 |
WDM2 diesel locomotive introduced. |
| |
1967 |
CLW makes first diesel-hydraulic shunting locomotive. |
| |
1971 |
WAM4 electric locomotive enters service. |
| |
1971 |
Last steam engine manufactured in India. |
| |
1984 |
Wheel and Axle Plant set up near Bangalore. |
| |
1988 |
Second coach factory set up at Kapurthala in the Punjab |
 |
A WAM4A class 25 KV Co-Co electric locomotive. |
|
|
| Factors |
|
Economic Factors
In many countries around the world,
the railway mania led to wasteful duplication of tracks by different companies. Fortunately in India, this did
not occur.
It is well known that steam locomotives have a very low thermal efficiency. In the last few decades, the direction
has been towards the initiation of diesel and electric traction which are more fuel efficient, economical, easier
to operate and have a higher availability, even though being more capital intensive. Electrification has been carried
out on suburban and other high traffic routes.
Indian Railways have also adopted a policy of self-sufficiency. Locomotives are being built in India with technical
collaboration rather than being bought off the shelf. Most parts of different locomotives are standardised resulting
in easier maintenance. Suitable proven technology has been incorporated rather than state of the art technology.
Electric traction as mentioned is very capital intensive. therefore only the high density routes (ie. suburban
routes, high density intercity passenger routes - 'the quadrangle' - and heavy freight routes) have been systematically
electrified. Electrification was earlier on low voltage DC systems. But AC high voltage industrial frequency current
has proved its worth and thus has now been standardised.
Socio - Cultural Factors
When the railways first came, the
Indian public was naturally scared and apprehensive. In fact when the first train steamed out of Calcutta, the
so called 'pundits' foretold doom. One of the passengers in the inaugural train got out of the train in Bandel
(near Calcutta) and went around asking people where he was. He found it difficult to believe that he had actually
travelled from Calcutta to Bandel.
People soon accepted the railway and got used to them very easily as they slashed journey times, encouraged travelling
and facilitated pilgrimages.
On the other hand in England, in the early days of the rail, there was a strong public opposition to the expansion
of railways, with such excuses as damage to livestock, and reduction of the human lifespan, couple with with other
such remarkable prophecies.
Today it is difficult to think of life without railways, especially in a developing country like India, where the
railways are aptly described as the 'lifeline of the nation'.
Environmental Factors
The railways started with steam traction.
Various improvements led to the reduction of smoke, environmental hazards and consumption of fuel. Diesel locomotives
helped reduce fuel cost and pollution. Electric traction caused no pollution and are most fuel efficient.
The railways have embarked on a massive programme of tree plantation to augment India's depleting forest cover.
Please note that this
project was undertaken way back in 1992, and it has not been updated. |
|
 |
An electric multiple unit on
the Bombay suburban section. |
| |
|
 |
A YP class 4-6-2 metre gauge
loco belching smoke. |
| |
|
 |
An obsolete steam engine
being broken up for scrap. |
| |
|
 |
Madras Central station by night. |
A selection of Indian postage
stamps depicting her railways.
WAP1 class high speed electric
passenger locomotive at the
head of the crack Rajdhani Express
at New Delhi station. |
|
| previous page |
|
|
|
|
|
