Passenger Trains Pulled By Steam Engines Bombay – 3 PCs 1900s
Three 1900s postcards of passenger trains pulled by steam engines during British era Bombay (Mumbai). Pulled by steam locomotives, all three trains operated under the GIPR or Great Indian Peninsula Railway. The GIPR was introduced by the British in 1849, the first passenger train journey was from Bombay to Thana in 1853.
The GIPR integrated with the Western Railway in 1853. The Bombay-Poona Mail began its service from the Victoria Terminus (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus) in 1863. The name “Mail” pertains to it carrying postal mail on the train. In 1905, the train was converted into a personal train for Prince and Princess of Wales during their tour of India.
The third postcard was perhaps the same Royal Mail that was designated to the royal couple. Later by 1930, the Deccan Queen was introduced between the two cities which quickly became very popular. The Bombay Suburban Trains are colloquially called local trains or locals. Over the years, suburban services were introduced all over the city. It was subsequently electrified by the 1920s.
Did you know – spread over 390 km, the suburban railway operates 2,342 train services and carries more than 7.5 million commuters daily. Today, the Mumbai Suburban Railway is one of the busiest rail systems in the world.
Past posts – Vintage Raja Ravi Varma “Shivaji” Oleograph Print., Delhi Durbar 1877, Queen Victoria Empress of India., Parvati Hill Pune – Old Postcard 1910., Mumbai Apollo Bunder & Harbour – Old Print 1880.
