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{{Line Railways Infobox
{{Line Railways Infobox
|image=[[File:Gaekwars Baroda State Railways Logo.png|thumb|Gaekwars Baroda State Railways Logo]]
|image= Gaekwars Baroda State Railways Logo.png
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|caption= Gaekwars Baroda State Railways Logo 1
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[[File:Gaekwar's Baroda State Railway 2 Logo.png|thumb|Gaekwars Baroda State Railways Logo 2]]
The '''Gaekwar's Baroda State Railway'''(GBSR) was formed in 1921 from the original [[Gaekwar's Dabhoi Railway]](GDR)  that had started 1862 and progressively expanded as a narrow gauge([[Rail_gauge#Narrow_Gauge|NG]]) network. The Gaekwars of the [[Princely states|Princely]] [[Baroda State]] were responsible for building several narrow and metre gauge lines in and around [[Baroda State]] and the eastern [[Gujerat]].  
The '''Gaekwar's Baroda State Railway'''(GBSR) was formed in 1921 from the original [[Gaekwar's Dabhoi Railway]](GDR)  that had started 1862 and progressively expanded as a narrow gauge([[Rail_gauge#Narrow_Gauge|NG]]) network. The Gaekwars of the [[Princely states|Princely]] [[Baroda State]] were responsible for building several narrow and metre gauge lines in and around [[Baroda State]] and the eastern [[Gujerat]].  


Line 42: Line 43:
== Development  of GBSR ==
== Development  of GBSR ==
Additional lines were constructed up to 1929, creating a complex network using two railgauges:-
Additional lines were constructed up to 1929, creating a complex network using two railgauges:-
* 2ft 6in/762mm narrow gauge([[Rail_gauge#Narrow_Gauge|NG]])
* 1000mm metre gauge ([[Rail_gauge_#Metre_Gauge|MG]])
* 1000mm metre gauge ([[Rail_gauge_#Metre_Gauge|MG]])
* 2ft 6in/762mm narrow gauge([[Rail_gauge#Narrow_Gauge|NG]])
 
These are detailed separately:-
These are detailed separately:-


Line 49: Line 51:
The GBSR took over the [[Gaekwar's Dabhoi Railway]](GDR)  network shown in “Red” on Route Map. A number of projects had been sanctioned for construction by the GDR and some were in progress, these were taken over and completed by GBSR. Some lines previously sanctioned were apparently never constructed.
The GBSR took over the [[Gaekwar's Dabhoi Railway]](GDR)  network shown in “Red” on Route Map. A number of projects had been sanctioned for construction by the GDR and some were in progress, these were taken over and completed by GBSR. Some lines previously sanctioned were apparently never constructed.


[[File:Gaekwar's Baroda State Railway Routes.png|thumb| Gaekwar's Baroda State Railway Routes]]
[[File:Gaekwar's Baroda State Railway Routes.png|thumb| Gaekwar's Baroda State Railway Narrow Gauge System]]
'''Narrow Gauge First Division – Headquarters [[Dabhoi]]'''  
'''Narrow Gauge First Division – Headquarters [[Dabhoi]]'''  
 
<br>From 1921 GBSR continued to develop their NG system :-
From 1921 GBSR continued to develop their NG system :-
* ‘Dabhoi-Miyagam  Line’ (“Red Line A”); 20 miles(32km) NG, first opened 1862, re-opened 1873 by GDR;  transferred from GDR to GBSR, 1921.  
* ‘Dabhoi-Miyagam  Line’ (“Red Line A”); 20 miles(32km) NG, first opened 1862, re-opened 1873 by GDR;  transferred from GDR to GBSR, 1921.  
* ‘Dabhoi-Chandod Line’ (“Red Line B”); 11 miles(17km) NG, opened by GDR 1879; transferred from GDR to GBSR, 1921.  
* ‘Dabhoi-Chandod Line’ (“Red Line B”); 11 miles(17km) NG, opened by GDR 1879; transferred from GDR to GBSR, 1921.  
Line 61: Line 62:
* ‘Masor Road-Jambusar Junction Line’ (“Red Line F”) 7 miles(11km) NG; opened by GDR 1917; transferred from  GDR  to GBSR, 1921.
* ‘Masor Road-Jambusar Junction Line’ (“Red Line F”) 7 miles(11km) NG; opened by GDR 1917; transferred from  GDR  to GBSR, 1921.
* ‘[[Bodeli-Chhota Udaipur Railway]]’ (“Green Line H”) 22.5 miles(36km) NG; opened 1917. This was a separate Company worked by BB&CIR and transferred to GBSR, 1921.  
* ‘[[Bodeli-Chhota Udaipur Railway]]’ (“Green Line H”) 22.5 miles(36km) NG; opened 1917. This was a separate Company worked by BB&CIR and transferred to GBSR, 1921.  
* ‘‘Jambusar-Broach Section’, (“Blue Line J”) about  26 miles(42km) NG; from [[Jambusar]] via [[Samni]] to [[Broach]]; was completed by GBSR on ''date unknown''. It was part of the ‘Broach-Jambusar-Masor Road(Kangat) Branch’, proposed by GDR in 1903 <ref name=Hist1906>[https://archive.org/stream/RailwayProjects/Railway%20projects#page/n0/mode/1up Histories of (Indian)Railway Projects ...up to June 1906  “Railways in India – GOI Administrative Report 1916-17 / Native States Lines” page 17 (pdf44]; Retrieved 10 Feb 2018</ref> and not completed until after the GBSR took over in 1921.  
* ‘[[Broach-Jambusar Railway]]’, (“Blue Line J”) 30 miles(48km) NG; from [[Jambusar]] via [[Samni]] to [[Broach]]; was constructed by the BB&CIR and opened in Nov 1914 as a branch of the [[Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway]](BB&CIR) <ref name=Admin.p35>[https://archive.org/stream/BombayBarodaAndCentralIndiaRailwaySystem/Bombay_Baroda_And_Central_India_Railway_System#page/n43/mode/1up "Administration Report on the Railways in India – corrected up to 31st March 1918"; Superintendent of Government  Printing,  Calcutta; page35 (pdf43)]; Retrieved  13 Feb 2018</ref>. The line had been proposed in 1903 as the ‘Broach-Jambusar-Masor Road(Kangat) Branch’, 31 miles (50km) NG:  proposed 1903 <ref name=Hist1906>[https://archive.org/stream/RailwayProjects/Railway%20projects#page/n0/mode/1up Histories of (Indian)Railway Projects ...up to June 1906  “Railways in India – GOI Administrative Report 1916-17 / Native States Lines” page 17 (pdf44]; Retrieved 10 Feb 2018</ref>. The GDR ‘Masor Road-Jambusar Section’ was finally opened in 1917.
* ‘Nar-Petlad-Nadiad Line’, (“Blue Line K”),about  29 miles(46km)  NG;  from [[Nar Town]] to [[Petlad]](''see note'' ‡‡) and then via Sojitra, Dewa Deva, Vaso to [[Nadiad]] 29 miles. Part was first surveyed  in 1905 as the ‘Nar-Nadiad Loop’ 20 miles(32km) <ref name=Hist1906/>  and  not completed until much later:-
* ‘Nar-Petlad-Nadiad Line’, (“Blue Line K”),about  29 miles(46km)  NG;  from [[Nar Town]] to [[Petlad]](''see note'' ‡‡) and then via Sojitra, Dewa Deva, Vaso to [[Nadiad]] 29 miles. Part was first surveyed  in 1905 as the ‘Nar-Nadiad Loop’ 20 miles(32km) <ref name=Hist1906/>  and  not completed until much later:-
**‘[[Petlad-Vaso Railway]]’, (“Purple  Line  S“)  16 miles(25km) NG,  as a separate Railway Company. The line ran from [[Petlad]]‡‡  to Vaso and opened in 1914. This section was incorporated into the  ‘Nar-Petlad-Nadiad Line’ given above, and was  extended a further 3½ miles(6km) to Pihij in 1915. The line was operated by the BB&CIR  and was absorbed into GBSR in 1921.  
**‘[[Petlad-Vaso Railway]]’, (“Purple  Line  S“)  16 miles(25km) NG,  as a separate Railway Company. The line ran from [[Petlad]]‡‡  to Vaso and opened in 1914. This section was incorporated into the  ‘Nar-Petlad-Nadiad Line’ given above, and was  extended a further 3½ miles(6km) to Pihij in 1915. The line was operated by the BB&CIR  and was absorbed into GBSR in 1921.  
** ‘Nar-Petlad Section’ was completed by GBSR on ''date unknown''
** ‘Nar-Petlad Section’ was completed by GBSR on ''date unknown''
** ‘Vaso-Nadiad Section’ was completed by GBSR on ''date unknown''
** ‘Vaso-Nadiad Section’ was completed by GBSR on ''date unknown''
* ‘Choranda Junction-Moti Koral Line’, (“Blue Line L”) 12 miles(19km) NG, sanctioned in 1914 for the GDR <ref name=Admin1918p44>[https://archive.org/stream/BombayBarodaAndCentralIndiaRailwaySystem/Bombay_Baroda_And_Central_India_Railway_System#page/n44/mode/1up  " Administration Report on the Railways in India – corrected up to 31st March 1918"; Superintendent of Government  Printing,  Calcutta;  page 36]; Retrieved 10 Feb 2018</ref>. Finally completed and opened by GBSR  in Nov 1921 <ref name=Scholey>”Indian Railways – A New Chronology” by permission of the author and researcher Keith Scholey</ref>.  
* ‘Choranda Junction-Moti Koral Line’, (“Blue Line L”) 12 miles(19km) NG, sanctioned in 1914 for the GDR <ref name=Admin1918p44>[https://archive.org/stream/BombayBarodaAndCentralIndiaRailwaySystem/Bombay_Baroda_And_Central_India_Railway_System#page/n44/mode/1up  "Administration Report on the Railways in India – corrected up to 31st March 1918"; Superintendent of Government  Printing,  Calcutta;  page 36]; Retrieved 10 Feb 2018</ref>. Finally completed and opened by GBSR  in Nov 1921 <ref name=Scholey>”Indian Railways – A New Chronology” by permission of the author and researcher Keith Scholey</ref>.  
* ‘Petlad-Bhadran Line’, (“Blue Line M”) 14 miles(22km) NG, opened by GBSR Jun 1922 <ref name=Scholey/>.The line connected [[Bhadran]] to the [[Petlad|Petlad Juction]](''see note'' ‡‡)   
* ‘Petlad-Bhadran Line’, (“Blue Line M”) 14 miles(22km) NG, opened by GBSR Jun 1922 <ref name=Scholey/>.The line connected [[Bhadran]] to the [[Petlad|Petlad Juction]](''see note'' ‡‡)   
* ‘Motipura-Tankhala Line’, (“Blue Line N”) 26 miles(42km) NG, sanctioned in 1914 for the GDR <ref name=Admin1918p44/>. Finally completed and opened by GBSR  in Mar 1923 <ref name=Scholey/>.  ''Motipura given in the 1918 Admin Report but not identified - thought it refers to the  ‘Chhuchhapura Junction to Tankala Line’  of about 24 miles(38km).''
* ‘Motipura-Taukhala Line’, (“Blue Line N”) 26 miles(42km) NG, sanctioned in 1914 for the GDR <ref name=Admin1918p44/>. Finally completed and opened by GBSR  in Mar 1923 <ref name=Scholey/>.  ''Motipura given in the 1918 Admin Report but not identified - thought it refers to the  ‘Chhuchhapura Junction to Taukala Line’  of about 24 miles(38km).''
* ‘Jambusar-Kavi Line’, (“Blue Line P”) 16 miles(26km) NG, from [[Jambusar]] to [[Kavi]], opened by GBSR Aug 1929 <ref name=Scholey/>.  
* ‘Jambusar-Kavi Line’, (“Blue Line P”) 16 miles(26km) NG, from [[Jambusar]] to Kavi, a village on the coast; opened by GBSR Aug 1929 <ref name=Scholey/>.  
* ‘Samni-Dahej Line’, (“Blue Line R”)  42 miles(67km) NG, from [[Samni]] to Dahej, a village on the coast on the Gulf of Cambey;  opened by GBSR Mar 1930 <ref name=Scholey/>.
* ‘Samni-Dahej Line’, (“Blue Line R”)  42 miles(67km) NG, from [[Samni]] to Dahej, a village on the coast on the Gulf of Cambey;  opened by GBSR Mar 1930 <ref name=Scholey/>.
<blockquote>''Note'' ‡‡ [[Petlad]] was station between [[Anand]] and [[Cambay]] on the  broad gauge([[Rail_gauge#Broad_Gauge|BG]]) [[Petlad-Cambay Railway]] worked by [[BB&CIR]] which linked to the 'BB&CIR BG Mainline'. At this station there were interchange with the narrow gauge ‘Petlad-Bhadran Line’ also the ‘[[Petlad-Vaso Railway]]'</blockquote>.  
<blockquote>''Note'' ‡‡ [[Petlad]] was station between [[Anand]] and [[Cambay]] on the  broad gauge([[Rail_gauge#Broad_Gauge|BG]]) [[Petlad-Cambay Railway]] worked by [[BB&CIR]] which linked to the 'BB&CIR BG Mainline'. At this station there were interchange with the narrow gauge ‘Petlad-Bhadran Line’ also the ‘[[Petlad-Vaso Railway]]'</blockquote>.  
'''Narrow Gauge Second  Division – Headquarters  [[Navsari]]'''
'''Narrow Gauge Second  Division – Headquarters  [[Navsari]]'''
GBSR set up a second ‘Narrow Gauge Division’ based in [[Navsari]] with two isolated lines initially operated by BB&CIR but from 1921 the working was transferred to GBSR <ref name=Vodora>[http://www.historyofvadodara.in/gbsr-gaekwars-baroda-state-railways/ "History of Vadora/Baroda” – “Gaekwar's Baroda State Railway" Para 3]; Retrieved 12 Feb 2018</ref>.  
GBSR set up a second ‘Narrow Gauge Division’ based in [[Navsari]] with two isolated lines initially operated by BB&CIR but from 1921 the working was transferred to GBSR <ref name=Vodora>[http://www.historyofvadodara.in/gbsr-gaekwars-baroda-state-railways/ "History of Vadora/Baroda” – “Gaekwar's Baroda State Railway" Para 3]; Retrieved 12 Feb 2018</ref>.  
* [[Bilimora-Kalamba State Railway| ‘Bilimora-Waghai Railway’]], (“Green  Line X”)  39 miles(62km) NG. From [[Bilimora]]  ''(an interchange station on the ‘BB&CIR BG Mainline’) '' initially to Kalamba  ''(now named Kalva Amba)'' ; extended to  reach Waghai , 4 miles(7km) by  Nov 1929 <ref name=Scholey/>. Worked by BB&CIR until 1921 then by GBSR <ref name=Vodora/>
* [[Bilimora-Kalamba State Railway| ‘Bilimora-Waghai Railway’]], (“Green  Line X”)  39 miles(62km) NG. From [[Bilimora]]  ''(an interchange station on the ‘BB&CIR BG Mainline’) '' initially to Kalamba  ''(now named Kalva Amba)'' ; extended to  reach Waghai , 4 miles(7km) by  Nov 1929 <ref name=Scholey/>. Worked by BB&CIR until 1921 then by GBSR <ref name=Vodora/>
Line 81: Line 80:
** ‘Zankhvav-Umarpada Section’, 12 miles(19km) NG from [[Zankhvav]] to [[Umarpada]] ,  opened by GBSR  Jul 1929 <ref name=Scholey/>
** ‘Zankhvav-Umarpada Section’, 12 miles(19km) NG from [[Zankhvav]] to [[Umarpada]] ,  opened by GBSR  Jul 1929 <ref name=Scholey/>
** ‘Zankhvav-Bardipadu Extension’, 22 ½ miles(36km) NG, sanction in 1914 <ref name=Admin1918p38/> '' There is no indication that line was constructed''
** ‘Zankhvav-Bardipadu Extension’, 22 ½ miles(36km) NG, sanction in 1914 <ref name=Admin1918p38/> '' There is no indication that line was constructed''
* ‘[[Navsari-Kamrej Light Railway]], 20 miles(32km) NG, sanctioned as a steam tramway in 1914 for the Baroda Durbar1912 <ref name=Admin1918p39>[https://archive.org/stream/BombayBarodaAndCentralIndiaRailwaySystem/Bombay_Baroda_And_Central_India_Railway_System#page/n48/mode/1up  " Administration Report on the Railways in India – corrected up to 31st March 1918"; Superintendent of Government  Printing,  Calcutta;  page 39]; Retrieved 10 Feb 2018</ref> . '' There is no indication that line was constructed''
* ‘[[Navsari-Kamrej Light Railway]], 20 miles(32km) NG, sanctioned as a steam tramway in 1914 for the Baroda Durbar1912 <ref name=Admin1918p39>[https://archive.org/stream/BombayBarodaAndCentralIndiaRailwaySystem/Bombay_Baroda_And_Central_India_Railway_System#page/n48/mode/1up  "Administration Report on the Railways in India – corrected up to 31st March 1918"; Superintendent of Government  Printing,  Calcutta;  page 39]; Retrieved 10 Feb 2018</ref> . '' There is no indication that line was constructed''
 
The 1936-37 “Report by the Railway Board on Indian Railways” gives the Route Mileage of  the GBSR ‘Narrow Gauge Division’ as 333 Miles <ref name =Report1936-7>[https://dspace.gipe.ac.in/xmlui/handle/10973/18160 “Report by the Railway Board on Indian Railways for 1936-37. Vol. I; Railway Department, Government of India” Download GIPE-017080.pdf page 120 (pdf 149)]; Retrieved 10 Feb 2018</ref>.  In addition it separately  lists  under  GBSR Narrow Gauge ‘Bodeli-Dhhota-Udaipur Railway’, 23 miles
 
===GBSR Metre Gauge  System ===
[[File:Gaekwar's Baroda State Railway Metre Gauge System.png|thumb|Gaekwar's Baroda State Railway - Metre Gauge System]]
In 1921 the working of the ‘[[Gaekwar's Mehsana Railway]]’(GMR) , a  metre gauge ([[Rail_gauge_#Metre_Gauge|MG]])  system, was transferred to the GBSR, previously being worked by the  ‘[[Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway]]’(BB&CIR).
*‘[[Gaekwar's Mehsana Railway]]’(GMR)  route mileage in  1921 was 193 miles(311km) . ''Marked lines 1 to 6 on map'' [[Gaekwar's Mehsana Railway|'' - see separate page'']],
* ‘Bechraji-Bhoyani  Link Line’ from Bechraji to Katosan Road 15 miles, opened 1920; to Bhoyani 6 miles 1921. Total 21 miles(34km). ''Marked 7 on map''  


The 1936-37 “Report by the Railway Board on Indian Railways” gives the Route Mileage of the GBSR ‘Narrow Gauge Division’ as 333 Miles <ref name =Report1936-7>[http://hdl.handle.net/10973/18160 “Report by the Railway Board on Indian Railways for 1936-37. Vol. I; Railway Department, Government of India” Download GIPE-017080.pdf page 120 (pdf 149)]; Retrieved 10 Feb 2018</ref>. In addition it separately  lists  under  GBSR Narrow Gauge ‘Bodeli-Dhhota-Udaipur Railway’, 23 miles
At the same time, 1921, the following metre gauge([[Rail_gauge_#Metre_Gauge|MG]]) was  transferred to the newly formed ‘Gaekwar's Baroda State Railway’(GBSR)  :-  
* ‘[[Vijapur-Kalol-Kadi Railway]]’, 41 miles(65km) MG; owned by the [[Princely states|Princely ]] [[Baroda State]]; opened 1902-3 from [[Vijapur]] to [[Kadi ]] and extended by a further 5 miles(8km) in 1912 to‘Bhoyani Road- and extended a further  21 miles(34km) to reach [[Bechraji ]] before 1921 where it connected to the GMR . ''Marked 7 and 8 on map.'' [[Vijapur-Kalol-Kadi Railway|''- see separate page'']]


===GBSR Metre Gauge System in chronological order===
These Metre Gauge Lines  were classified as  the ‘Gaekwar’s Mehsana Railway‘  with a total route mileage of 255 Miles(410km)  and worked by the BB&CIR until 1933 after which taken over by the Baroda Durbar <ref name=Hist1937>[https://ia801605.us.archive.org/30/items/in.ernet.dli.2015.36650/2015.36650.India-Railway-Board-History-Of-Indian-Railways-Constructed-And-In-Progress.pdf US Archive .org pdf download of ‘History Of Indian Railways, constructed and in progress’, 31 March 1937 by ‘The Government of India – Railway Department’, page 232-37 , pdf 275-80]; Retrieved 20 Jul 2020</ref>. 
The 1936-37 “Report by the Railway Board on Indian Railways” <ref name =Report1936-7/> gives the Route Mileage of the GBSR ‘Metre Gauge Division’ as 255 Miles(210km). It also separately  lists under  GBSR Metre Gauge ‘Khijadiya-Dhari Railway’, 37 miles(60km)and ‘Prachi Road-Kodinar Railway’, 16 miles(26km) under construction ''(page 120 and 41'')


''The routes of the GBSR Metre Gauge system have not been identified''
''' Metre Gauge Lines worked by GBSR '''
<br>The following metre gauge([[Rail_gauge_#Metre_Gauge|MG]])  lines were worked by GBSR:-
* ‘[[Okhamandal State Railway]]’, 37 miles(59km) MG;  owned by [[Princely states|Princely ]][[Okhamandal State]], opened 1921 and worked by GBSR. In 1922 became the  ‘[[Kuranga-Okha Railway ]]’ and in 1923 transferred to  ‘[[Jamnagar and Dwarka Railway]]’
* ‘[[Khijadiya-Dhari Railway]]’, 37½ miles(60km) MG; constructed by Baroda Durbar, opened 1913-16 and maintained and worked by ‘[[Gondal Railway]]’. In 1934 the maintenance and working was taken over by the GBSR
* ‘[[Prachi Road-Kodinar Railway]]’ 16 miles(26km) MG,  not expected that it can be opened for traffic before January 1938 <ref>[http://hdl.handle.net/10973/18160 “Report by the Railway Board on Indian Railways for 1936-37. Vol. I; Railway Department, Government of India” Para 40 (ii), page 42 pdf 57 and page 41 pdf 56 ]; Retrieved 20 Jul 2020</ref>


==Later Developments==
==Later Developments==

Latest revision as of 07:54, 12 August 2020

Gaekwar's Baroda State Railway

Gaekwars Baroda State Railways Logo 1
Line of route
Gauge / mileage
MG 308 miles (1944)
2' 6" NG 356 miles (1944)
Timeline
1949 Nationalised & merged into BB&CIR
Key locations
Presidency Bombay
Stations Baroda
System agency
Own agency
How to interpret this infobox
Gaekwars Baroda State Railways Logo 2

The Gaekwar's Baroda State Railway(GBSR) was formed in 1921 from the original Gaekwar's Dabhoi Railway(GDR) that had started 1862 and progressively expanded as a narrow gauge(NG) network. The Gaekwars of the Princely Baroda State were responsible for building several narrow and metre gauge lines in and around Baroda State and the eastern Gujerat.

The ‘Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway’(BB&CIR) had been working the’ Gaekwar's Dabhoi Railway’ on behalf of the Baroda Durbar together with the ‘Gaekwar's Petlad Railway’, the ‘Gaekwar's Mehsana Railway’, the Petlad-Vaso Railway and the ‘Bodeli-Chhota Udaipur Railway’.The working arrangements of all these lines were transferred to the newly formed GBSR in 1921.

Origins of GBSR

The 2ft 6in/762mm narrow gauge(NG) railway network, known as the Gaekwar's Dabhoi Railway commenced with an oxen driven line between Dabhoi and Miyagam, a distance of 20 miles(33km), that first opened in 1862. The rails were inadequate for steam locomotives and the upgraded railway was reopened to traffic in 1873. The network expanded and by 1909 Dabhoi had become an NG railway junction, it had become the centre where the lines from Miyagam, Chandod , Bodeli and Baroda converged with a line length of 92 miles(147km). By 1918 the NG network had expanded to 154 miles(246km) [1]. By 1921, when the network was renamed the GBSR, there was approximately 246 miles(393km) of track. The network on handover in 1921 is shown in "Red" on Route Map

See Gaekwar's Dabhoi Railway for details and references

Development of GBSR

Additional lines were constructed up to 1929, creating a complex network using two railgauges:-

  • 2ft 6in/762mm narrow gauge(NG)
  • 1000mm metre gauge (MG)

These are detailed separately:-

GBSR Narrow Gauge Expansion in chronological order

The GBSR took over the Gaekwar's Dabhoi Railway(GDR) network shown in “Red” on Route Map. A number of projects had been sanctioned for construction by the GDR and some were in progress, these were taken over and completed by GBSR. Some lines previously sanctioned were apparently never constructed.

Gaekwar's Baroda State Railway Narrow Gauge System

Narrow Gauge First Division – Headquarters Dabhoi
From 1921 GBSR continued to develop their NG system :-

  • ‘Dabhoi-Miyagam Line’ (“Red Line A”); 20 miles(32km) NG, first opened 1862, re-opened 1873 by GDR; transferred from GDR to GBSR, 1921.
  • ‘Dabhoi-Chandod Line’ (“Red Line B”); 11 miles(17km) NG, opened by GDR 1879; transferred from GDR to GBSR, 1921.
  • ‘Dabhoi-Baroda Line’ (“Red Line B”); 19 miles(34km) NG, opened by GDR 1879-90; transferred from GDR to GBSR, 1921.
  • ‘Baroda-Masor Road Line’ (“Red Line C”); 20 miles(32km) NG, opened by GDR 1897-1904; transferred from GDR to GBSR, 1921.
  • ‘Miyaram Karjan-Malsar Line’ (“Red Line D”); 24 miles(44km) NG, opened by GDR 1912; transferred from GDR to GBSR, 1921.
  • ‘Dabhoi-Timba Line’ (“Red Line E”) 62 miles(100km) NG; opened by GDR 1913-19; transferred from DDR to GBSR, 1921.
  • ‘Masor Road-Jambusar Junction Line’ (“Red Line F”) 7 miles(11km) NG; opened by GDR 1917; transferred from GDR to GBSR, 1921.
  • ‘Bodeli-Chhota Udaipur Railway’ (“Green Line H”) 22.5 miles(36km) NG; opened 1917. This was a separate Company worked by BB&CIR and transferred to GBSR, 1921.
  • ‘Broach-Jambusar Railway’, (“Blue Line J”) 30 miles(48km) NG; from Jambusar via Samni to Broach; was constructed by the BB&CIR and opened in Nov 1914 as a branch of the Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway(BB&CIR) [2]. The line had been proposed in 1903 as the ‘Broach-Jambusar-Masor Road(Kangat) Branch’, 31 miles (50km) NG: proposed 1903 [3]. The GDR ‘Masor Road-Jambusar Section’ was finally opened in 1917.
  • ‘Nar-Petlad-Nadiad Line’, (“Blue Line K”),about 29 miles(46km) NG; from Nar Town to Petlad(see note ‡‡) and then via Sojitra, Dewa Deva, Vaso to Nadiad 29 miles. Part was first surveyed in 1905 as the ‘Nar-Nadiad Loop’ 20 miles(32km) [3] and not completed until much later:-
    • ‘Petlad-Vaso Railway’, (“Purple Line S“) 16 miles(25km) NG, as a separate Railway Company. The line ran from Petlad‡‡ to Vaso and opened in 1914. This section was incorporated into the ‘Nar-Petlad-Nadiad Line’ given above, and was extended a further 3½ miles(6km) to Pihij in 1915. The line was operated by the BB&CIR and was absorbed into GBSR in 1921.
    • ‘Nar-Petlad Section’ was completed by GBSR on date unknown
    • ‘Vaso-Nadiad Section’ was completed by GBSR on date unknown
  • ‘Choranda Junction-Moti Koral Line’, (“Blue Line L”) 12 miles(19km) NG, sanctioned in 1914 for the GDR [4]. Finally completed and opened by GBSR in Nov 1921 [5].
  • ‘Petlad-Bhadran Line’, (“Blue Line M”) 14 miles(22km) NG, opened by GBSR Jun 1922 [5].The line connected Bhadran to the Petlad Juction(see note ‡‡)
  • ‘Motipura-Taukhala Line’, (“Blue Line N”) 26 miles(42km) NG, sanctioned in 1914 for the GDR [4]. Finally completed and opened by GBSR in Mar 1923 [5]. Motipura given in the 1918 Admin Report but not identified - thought it refers to the ‘Chhuchhapura Junction to Taukala Line’ of about 24 miles(38km).
  • ‘Jambusar-Kavi Line’, (“Blue Line P”) 16 miles(26km) NG, from Jambusar to Kavi, a village on the coast; opened by GBSR Aug 1929 [5].
  • ‘Samni-Dahej Line’, (“Blue Line R”) 42 miles(67km) NG, from Samni to Dahej, a village on the coast on the Gulf of Cambey; opened by GBSR Mar 1930 [5].

Note ‡‡ Petlad was station between Anand and Cambay on the broad gauge(BG) Petlad-Cambay Railway worked by BB&CIR which linked to the 'BB&CIR BG Mainline'. At this station there were interchange with the narrow gauge ‘Petlad-Bhadran Line’ also the ‘Petlad-Vaso Railway'

.

Narrow Gauge Second Division – Headquarters Navsari GBSR set up a second ‘Narrow Gauge Division’ based in Navsari with two isolated lines initially operated by BB&CIR but from 1921 the working was transferred to GBSR [6].

  • ‘Bilimora-Waghai Railway’, (“Green Line X”) 39 miles(62km) NG. From Bilimora (an interchange station on the ‘BB&CIR BG Mainline’) initially to Kalamba (now named Kalva Amba) ; extended to reach Waghai , 4 miles(7km) by Nov 1929 [5]. Worked by BB&CIR until 1921 then by GBSR [6]
  • ‘Kosamba-Zankhvav-Umarpada Line’, (“Green Line Y”) 38 miles(61km) NG; developed as two sections:-.
    • ‘Kosamba-Zankhvav Railway’, 26 miles(42km) NG. Surveyed in 1900 [3], opened in 1912 from Kosamba to Zankhvav [7] . Initially operated by BB&CIR but from 1921 GBSR took over the working.
    • ‘Zankhvav-Umarpada Section’, 12 miles(19km) NG from Zankhvav to Umarpada , opened by GBSR Jul 1929 [5]
    • ‘Zankhvav-Bardipadu Extension’, 22 ½ miles(36km) NG, sanction in 1914 [7] There is no indication that line was constructed
  • ‘Navsari-Kamrej Light Railway, 20 miles(32km) NG, sanctioned as a steam tramway in 1914 for the Baroda Durbar1912 [8] . There is no indication that line was constructed

The 1936-37 “Report by the Railway Board on Indian Railways” gives the Route Mileage of the GBSR ‘Narrow Gauge Division’ as 333 Miles [9]. In addition it separately lists under GBSR Narrow Gauge ‘Bodeli-Dhhota-Udaipur Railway’, 23 miles

GBSR Metre Gauge System

Gaekwar's Baroda State Railway - Metre Gauge System

In 1921 the working of the ‘Gaekwar's Mehsana Railway’(GMR) , a metre gauge (MG) system, was transferred to the GBSR, previously being worked by the ‘Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway’(BB&CIR).

  • ‘Gaekwar's Mehsana Railway’(GMR) route mileage in 1921 was 193 miles(311km) . Marked lines 1 to 6 on map - see separate page,
  • ‘Bechraji-Bhoyani Link Line’ from Bechraji to Katosan Road 15 miles, opened 1920; to Bhoyani 6 miles 1921. Total 21 miles(34km). Marked 7 on map

At the same time, 1921, the following metre gauge(MG) was transferred to the newly formed ‘Gaekwar's Baroda State Railway’(GBSR)  :-

These Metre Gauge Lines were classified as the ‘Gaekwar’s Mehsana Railway‘ with a total route mileage of 255 Miles(410km) and worked by the BB&CIR until 1933 after which taken over by the Baroda Durbar [10].

Metre Gauge Lines worked by GBSR
The following metre gauge(MG) lines were worked by GBSR:-

Later Developments

In 1949, the GBSR was merged into the Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway(BB&CIR).

External Lnks

References

  1. ↑ " Administration Report on the Railways in India – corrected up to 31st March 1918"; Superintendent of Government Printing, Calcutta; page 36 and 37; Retrieved 16 Nov 2016
  2. ↑ "Administration Report on the Railways in India – corrected up to 31st March 1918"; Superintendent of Government Printing, Calcutta; page35 (pdf43); Retrieved 13 Feb 2018
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Histories of (Indian)Railway Projects ...up to June 1906 “Railways in India – GOI Administrative Report 1916-17 / Native States Lines” page 17 (pdf44; Retrieved 10 Feb 2018
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Administration Report on the Railways in India – corrected up to 31st March 1918"; Superintendent of Government Printing, Calcutta; page 36; Retrieved 10 Feb 2018
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 ”Indian Railways – A New Chronology” by permission of the author and researcher Keith Scholey
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "History of Vadora/Baroda” – “Gaekwar's Baroda State Railway" Para 3; Retrieved 12 Feb 2018
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 " Administration Report on the Railways in India – corrected up to 31st March 1918"; Superintendent of Government Printing, Calcutta; page 38; Retrieved 10 Feb 2018
  8. ↑ "Administration Report on the Railways in India – corrected up to 31st March 1918"; Superintendent of Government Printing, Calcutta; page 39; Retrieved 10 Feb 2018
  9. ↑ “Report by the Railway Board on Indian Railways for 1936-37. Vol. I; Railway Department, Government of India” Download GIPE-017080.pdf page 120 (pdf 149); Retrieved 10 Feb 2018
  10. ↑ US Archive .org pdf download of ‘History Of Indian Railways, constructed and in progress’, 31 March 1937 by ‘The Government of India – Railway Department’, page 232-37 , pdf 275-80; Retrieved 20 Jul 2020
  11. ↑ “Report by the Railway Board on Indian Railways for 1936-37. Vol. I; Railway Department, Government of India” Para 40 (ii), page 42 pdf 57 and page 41 pdf 56 ; Retrieved 20 Jul 2020
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