Narrow Gauge Railways In India, 13 Old 1980s Photos
Old 1980s photos of the once narrow gauge railways of India. There are thirteen photos of narrow gauge steam locomotives primarily from Gujarat, West Bengal, and Rajasthan. All taken by a foreign rail enthusiast J C Williams in the 1980s. The rail regions are Eastern Railway from Ahmedpur to Katwa, train leaving Katwa junction, Western Railway train entering Petlad Junction, Sonamukhi station, Dholpur State Railway, steam train at Waghai station – 2nos, Pulgaon narrow gauge loco shed. Also, steam loco at Godhra Junction, steam loco train at Beliator, railcar from Burdhwan to Katwa.
Baripada loco shed, steam train approaching Mohari Jn, and coaling at Bankura Railway Station. The narrow-gauge railway line was born out of necessity because of the Great Indian Famine of 1876-78. The Bengal-Nagpur Railway was created which later came to be known as the Satpura Railway network. This was to save the people dying from hunger in the remote areas of central India. The narrow-gauge width in India is either 2’0″ or 2’6″. The princely state of Baroda opened the first narrow-gauge line in India in 1862. It was a bullock-driven tramway that ran from Dabhoi to Miyagam. Click on the photo for better view.
See post First Narrow Gauge Railway In India, Old Print 1863.
Did you know- the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway completed in 1881 became the second narrow gauge railway in India.
From the collection- 1964 M. Suriyamoorthy Charcoal On Paper Lovers (#5)., Procession of Indian Princes Delhi Durbar 1903 – Old Postcard., View Of Bombay Fort & Harbour – Old Print 1840., Old Book – Story Of The Life Of George Stephenson 1863
