Southern Mahratta Railway: Difference between revisions

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[[Category:Railways]]
{{Line Railways Infobox
|image=
|caption=
|route= [[Hotgi]] to [[Guntakal]]<br>[[Guntakal]] to [[Bezwada]]<br>[[Gadag]] to [[Poona]]<br>[[Bellary]] to [[Rayadrug]] (branch)
|gauge1= Metre gauge
|gauge1details= 1042 miles (1905)
|gauge2=
|gauge2details=
|gauge3=
|gauge3details=
|gauge4=
|gauge4details=
|timeline1date= 1884
|timeline1details= First sections opened to traffic
|timeline2date=
|timeline2details=
|timeline3date=
|timeline3details=
|timeline4date=
|timeline4details= 
|timeline5date=
|timeline5details=
|presidency= [[Madras]], [[Bombay]]
|stations= [[Bagalkot]], [[Belgaum]], [[Bellary]], [[Bezwada]], [[Bijapur]], [[Cumbum]], [[Gadag]], [[Guntakal]], [[Guntur]], [[Harihar]], [[Hospet]], [[Hotgi]], [[Londa]], [[Miraj]], [[Nandyal]], [[Poona]], [[Rayadrug]], [[Tadepalli]]
|system1date= 1882
|system1details= Worked by [[Southern Mahratta Railway]]
|system2date= 1907
|system2details= [[Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway]]
|system3date=
|system3details= 
}}
 
{{System_Railways_Infobox
|image=
|caption=
|timeline1date=
|timeline1details=
|timeline2date= 1882
|timeline2details= Contracted to work [[Mysore State Railway]]
|timeline3date=
|timeline3details=
|timeline4date= 1907
|timeline4details= Merged with [[Madras Railway]] <br>to form [[Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway]]
|timeline5date=
|timeline5details= 
|company1= 1882
|company1details= [[Southern Mahratta Railway]]
|company2= 1899-1919
|company2details= [[Birur-Shimoga Railway]]
|company3=
|company3details= [[Guntakal-Mysore Frontier Railway]]
|company4= 1887-1938
|company4details= [[Hindupur-Yesvantpur Railway]]
|company5=
|company5details= [[Hospet-Kottur Railway]]
|company6=
|company6details= [[Kolhapur State Railway]]
|company7= 1891-1919
|company7details= [[Mysore-Nanjangud Railway]]
|company8= 1887-1938
|company8details= [[Mysore State Railway]]
|company9= 1902
|company9details= [[West of India Portuguese Railway]]
|company10=
|company10details=
|company11=
|company11details=
|company12=
|company12details=
|headquarters= [[Dharwar]]
|workshop= [[Dharwar]]/[[Hubli]] <br>''See'' [[M&SMR Railway Workshops]]
|stations= [[Bangalore]], [[Bellary]], [[Gadag]], [[Guntakal]], [[Hotgi]], [[Kolhapur]], [[Marmagao]], [[Mysore]], [[Poona]]
|system1date= 1907
|system1details= [[Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway]]
|system2date=
|system2details= 
|system3date=
|system3details= 
|gauge1= Metre gauge
|gauge1details= 1687 miles (1905)
|gauge2=
|gauge2details=
|gauge3=
|gauge3details=
|gauge4=
|gauge4details=
|auxillary forces= [[Southern Mahratta Railway Rifle Corps]]
}}
 
[[File: Southern Mahratta Railway Map 1909, north section.png|thumb| Southern Mahratta Railway Map 1909, north section]]
[[File: Southern Mahratta Railway Map 1909, south  section.png|thumb| Southern Mahratta Railway Map 1909, south section]]
 
The '''Southern Mahratta Railway'''(SMR) was also variously called the Southern '''Maratha''' Railway and the Southern '''Maharastra''' Railway.


The '''Southern Mahratta Railway''' (SMR) was also variously called the Southern '''Maratha''' Railway and the Southern '''Maharastra''' Railway.
== History ==
In  1881 the  '''Bombay Eastern Deccan Railway''' was under construction with [[William Michell]] the Engineer-in-Charge. This line immediately upon opening became the Bijapur Branch of the Southern Mahratta Railway.
<ref>[http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/William_Michell_(1853-1899) "Grace's Guide - William Michell”]; Retrieved on 3 May 2016</ref>


The '''Southern Mahratta Railway''' (SMR) was founded in 1882 to construct a metre gauge([[Rail_gauge_#Metre_Gauge|MG]]) railway between [[Hotgi]] and [[Gadag]] (opened to traffic in 1884), one of the "famine lines" set up with a guarantee. In the same year (1882), it was contracted by the Indian State of Mysore to work the several metre gauge lines that the Mysore State had built or was in the course of construction.


== Characteristics ==
In 1888, a line was extended from [[Londa]] towards the Portuguese colony of [[Goa]] where it connected with the [[Marmagao]] line at [[Castle Rock]].  (From 1902 this line was leased as the [[West of India Portuguese Railway]].  By 1890, this line extended from Londa eastwards via [[Guntakal]] to [[Bezwada]], and northwards to [[Poona]], turning the SMR from an assortment of branches to a real railway network.


The SMR was founded in 1882 as a metre gauge railway between [[Hotgi]] and [[Gadag]], one of the "famine lines" set up with a guarantee. In 1883, the line was extended to the Portuguese colony of [[Goa]] where it connected with the [[Marmagao]] line. From 1903 this line was leased as the [[West of India Portuguese Railway]]. In 1908, the SMR merged with the [[Madras Railway]] to form the [[Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway]].
In 1908, the SMR , with a route mileage of 1687 miles(2715km), merged with sections  of the [[South Indian Railway]]to form the '''[[Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway# M&MSR Metre Gauge Division|'''Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway - M&MSR Metre Gauge Division'''  - ''see separate page for details'']]


==Railways absorbed into/worked by SMR==
*[[Birur-Shimoga Railway]] a [[Rail_gauge_#Metre_Gauge|MG]] branch line in the Indian State of Mysore, opened in 1899, 38 miles(61km). Worked by SMR and from 1908 by M&SMR until 1919. See [[Birur-Shimoga Railway]].
*[[Bellary-Kistna State Railway]] constructed before 1890; surveyed for Hindpur extension 1892-94; worked by SMR and from 1908 by M&SMR; became M&SMR, 1908
*[[Guntakal-Mysore Frontier Railway]] opened c.1893. Worked by SMR, 1893 and from 1908 by M&SMR
*[[Hindupur-Yesvantpur Railway]] opened 1893. Also known as Hindupur (Yesvantpur)-Mysore Frontier Railway, worked by SMR  became M&SMR, 1908
*[[Hospet-Kottur Railway]] opened c.1905. Originally worked by SMR and from 1908 by M&SMR
*[[Kolhapur State Railway]] opened after 1888. Worked by SMR, 1891; and from 1908 by M&SMR
*[[West of India Portuguese Railway]] opened 1886-87. Worked by SMR, 1902nd from 1908 by M&SMR
*[[Sangli State Railway]] opened in 1907 as a short  5 mile(8km) link from SMR Miraj Junction to Sangli, Worked by SMR, 1907 and from 1908 by M&SMR


== Records ==
==Records==
An on-line search of the [[India Office Records]] (IOR) records held at the [[British Library]] relating to this railway <ref>[http://searcharchives.bl.uk/primo_library/libweb/action/search.do?vid=IAMS_VU2  “British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue”  - Search];  Retrieved  30 May 2016</ref>
gives several entries, the most relevant as follows: -
*L/F/8/12/901; “Southern Mahratta Railway Company Limited, Contract as to construction, maintenance, management and working by the Southern Mahratta RailwayCompany Limited of a railway intended to be called the Southern Mahratta Railway “1 Jun 1882”
*L/F/8/13/916 ; “Southern Mahratta Railway Company Limited, West Deccan Contract”; 28 Oct 1885
*L/F/8/16/1178; “Southern Mahratta Railway Company Limited, Contract”; 26 Jun 1907


==Personnel==
Unfortunately, there are no SMR Staff agreements held at the [[British Library]] in the [[India Office Records]].
Unfortunately, there are no SMR Staff agreements held at the [[British Library]] in the [[India Office Records]].


The following personnel , from the [[Public Works Department]], are recorded as being ‘on loan’ to the Southern Mahratta Railway Company:-
* Frederick Lewis Dibblee , Engineer-in-Chief, 1882 , on loan for a few months on start up of SMR <ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20180517204415/http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/jo/genealogy/dibblee/employment.htm  "Obituaries of Frederick Lewis Dibblee"] now archived.</ref>.
* Bernard William Cantopher, 1888-89, Executive Engineer <ref>[https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=b2NPAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&output=reader&hl=en_GB&pg=GBS.PA456 Google Books " India List and India Office List, 1905" page 456 (pdf page 419)] Retrieved on 30 May 2016</ref>
*Theophilus Michell,  1888-89, Executive Engineer  <ref>[https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=b2NPAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&output=reader&hl=en_GB&pg=GBS.PA566 Google Books " India List and India Office List, 1905" page 566 (pdf page 529)] Retrieved on 30 May 2016</ref>.
* Henry Wilkins Clift, -1889, Executive Engineer <ref > [https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=b2NPAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&output=reader&hl=en_GB&pg=GBS.PA456 Google Books " India List and India Office List, 1905" page 456 (pdf page 419)] Retrieved on 30 May 2016</ref>.


== External links ==
== References ==
<references />


[http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/jo/genealogy/dibblee/index.htm Frederick Dibblee (in India 1864-1888)], briefly SMR Superintending Engineer in 1882.
==Further Information==
See '''[[Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway]]''' for period after 1908
 
[[Category:Railways]]
[[Category:State Railways]]

Latest revision as of 05:47, 19 September 2022

Southern Mahratta Railway
[[Image:|150px| ]]
Line of route
Hotgi to Guntakal
Guntakal to Bezwada
Gadag to Poona
Bellary to Rayadrug (branch)
Gauge / mileage
Metre gauge 1042 miles (1905)
Timeline
1884 First sections opened to traffic
Key locations
Presidency Madras, Bombay
Stations Bagalkot, Belgaum, Bellary, Bezwada, Bijapur, Cumbum, Gadag, Guntakal, Guntur, Harihar, Hospet, Hotgi, Londa, Miraj, Nandyal, Poona, Rayadrug, Tadepalli
System agency
1882 Worked by Southern Mahratta Railway
1907 Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway
How to interpret this infobox
Southern Mahratta Railway
[[Image:|150px| ]]
System timeline
1882 Contracted to work Mysore State Railway
1907 Merged with Madras Railway
to form Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway
Constituent companies / lines
1882 Southern Mahratta Railway
1899-1919 Birur-Shimoga Railway
Guntakal-Mysore Frontier Railway
1887-1938 Hindupur-Yesvantpur Railway
Hospet-Kottur Railway
Kolhapur State Railway
1891-1919 Mysore-Nanjangud Railway
1887-1938 Mysore State Railway
1902 West of India Portuguese Railway
Key locations
Headquarters Dharwar
Workshops Dharwar/Hubli
See M&SMR Railway Workshops
Major Stations Bangalore, Bellary, Gadag, Guntakal, Hotgi, Kolhapur, Marmagao, Mysore, Poona
Successor system / organisation
1907 Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway
System mileage
Metre gauge 1687 miles (1905)
Associated auxiliary force
Southern Mahratta Railway Rifle Corps
How to interpret this infobox
Southern Mahratta Railway Map 1909, north section
Southern Mahratta Railway Map 1909, south section

The Southern Mahratta Railway(SMR) was also variously called the Southern Maratha Railway and the Southern Maharastra Railway.

History

In 1881 the Bombay Eastern Deccan Railway was under construction with William Michell the Engineer-in-Charge. This line immediately upon opening became the Bijapur Branch of the Southern Mahratta Railway. [1]

The Southern Mahratta Railway (SMR) was founded in 1882 to construct a metre gauge(MG) railway between Hotgi and Gadag (opened to traffic in 1884), one of the "famine lines" set up with a guarantee. In the same year (1882), it was contracted by the Indian State of Mysore to work the several metre gauge lines that the Mysore State had built or was in the course of construction.

In 1888, a line was extended from Londa towards the Portuguese colony of Goa where it connected with the Marmagao line at Castle Rock. (From 1902 this line was leased as the West of India Portuguese Railway. By 1890, this line extended from Londa eastwards via Guntakal to Bezwada, and northwards to Poona, turning the SMR from an assortment of branches to a real railway network.

In 1908, the SMR , with a route mileage of 1687 miles(2715km), merged with sections of the ‘South Indian Railway’ to form the Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway - M&MSR Metre Gauge Division - see separate page for details

Railways absorbed into/worked by SMR

Records

An on-line search of the India Office Records (IOR) records held at the British Library relating to this railway [2] gives several entries, the most relevant as follows: -

  • L/F/8/12/901; “Southern Mahratta Railway Company Limited, Contract as to construction, maintenance, management and working by the Southern Mahratta RailwayCompany Limited of a railway intended to be called the Southern Mahratta Railway “1 Jun 1882”
  • L/F/8/13/916 ; “Southern Mahratta Railway Company Limited, West Deccan Contract”; 28 Oct 1885
  • L/F/8/16/1178; “Southern Mahratta Railway Company Limited, Contract”; 26 Jun 1907

Personnel

Unfortunately, there are no SMR Staff agreements held at the British Library in the India Office Records.

The following personnel , from the Public Works Department, are recorded as being ‘on loan’ to the Southern Mahratta Railway Company:-

  • Frederick Lewis Dibblee , Engineer-in-Chief, 1882 , on loan for a few months on start up of SMR [3].
  • Bernard William Cantopher, 1888-89, Executive Engineer [4]
  • Theophilus Michell, 1888-89, Executive Engineer [5].
  • Henry Wilkins Clift, -1889, Executive Engineer [6].

References

Further Information

See Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway for period after 1908