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{{Line Railways Infobox
{{Line Railways Infobox
|image=
|image= Mysore State Railway Logo.png
|caption=  
|caption= Mysore State Railway Logo
|route= [[Mysore]] to [[Bangalore]]<br>[[Bangalore]] to [[Harihar]]
|route= [[Mysore]] to [[Bangalore]]<br>[[Bangalore]] to [[Harihar]]
|gauge1= Metre gauge
|gauge1= Metre gauge
Line 35: Line 35:
|caption=  
|caption=  
|timeline1date= 1887
|timeline1date= 1887
|timeline1details= First system leased to [[Southern Mahratta Railway]]
|timeline1details= Original Mysore State Lines  leased to [[Southern Mahratta Railway]]
|timeline2date= 1912
|timeline2date= 1912
|timeline2details= System re-formed by State of Mysore
|timeline2details= System re-formed by State of Mysore
Line 65: Line 65:
|company10details= [[Shimoga-Anandapuram Railway]]
|company10details= [[Shimoga-Anandapuram Railway]]
|company11= 1921
|company11= 1921
|company11details= [[Tadassa-Hebbe Tramway]]
|company11details= [[Tadasa-Hebbe Tramway]]
|company12= 1917
|company12= 1917
|company12details= [[Tarikere-Narasimharajapura Tramway]]
|company12details= [[Tarikere-Narasimharajapura Tramway]]
Line 87: Line 87:
|auxillary forces= n/a
|auxillary forces= n/a
}}
}}
 
The name, '''Mysore State Railway''' (MSR), originally referred to the metre gauge([[Rail_gauge_#Metre_Gauge|MG]]) line which connected the State capital, [[Mysore]], to [[Bangalore]] and named the [[Mysore-Bangalore Railway]]. The MSR also developed a number of other railways which from 1887 were initially leased to the [[Southern Mahratta Railway]] (SMR). 


The name, '''Mysore State Railway''' (MSR), originally referred to the metre gauge([[Rail_gauge_#Metre_Gauge|MG]]) line which connected the State capital, [[Mysore]], to [[Bangalore]] and named the [[Mysore-Bangalore Railway]]. Later, MSR, or '''Mysore Railway''' as it was sometimes known in this context, was the name applied to a network of disjointed metre gauge([[Rail_gauge_#Metre_Gauge|MG]]) branch lines owned by the [[Princely states|Princely ]][[Mysore State]] Durbar.
Later, the MSR, or '''Mysore Railway''' as it was sometimes known in this context, was the name applied to a network of disjointed metre gauge([[Rail_gauge_#Metre_Gauge|MG]]) branch lines owned by the [[Princely states|Princely ]][[Mysore State]] Durbar.
 
 
== History ==


Following the disastrous famine of 1876-1877, the original sections of the MSR were planned and built by the State of Mysore, opening to traffic during 1881-1882.  In 1887, in order to eradicate its "famine debt", the State of Mysore leased the MSR to the [[Southern Mahratta Railway]] (SMR) for a period of 45 years.
==Original  Mysore State Railway History==
<ref> [http://www.irfca.org/articles/manning/mysore.html "The Ex-Mysore State Metre Gauge Lines" by Ian Manning 2007. Placed on IRFCA ''Indian Railways Fan Club'' Server] Retrieved on  9  Feb 2016</ref>.
[[File: Mysore State Railway 1909.png|thumb| Mysore State Railway - Original Lines]]
*1872-73: Proposals to develop railways in Mysore State were turned down in favour of irrigation projects  “for the improvement and re-establishment of the ancient system of irrigation, before any outlay is applied to the construction of a railway” <ref>British Library ‘India Office Records L/PARL/2/100 “Railways in India for the year 1872-73” by Juland Danvers , Government Director of the Indian Railways’-– presented to both Houses of Parliament’ by HM Command. Extract from Annual Report 1872-73; Para  92  </ref>
*1876-77: following the disastrous famine the original sections of the MSR were planned and built by the [[Mysore State|State of Mysore]],  
*1881-82 opening to traffic.   
*1887: in order to eradicate its "famine debt", the [[Mysore State|State of Mysore]] leased the MSR to the [[Southern Mahratta Railway]] (SMR) for a period of 45 years.<ref> [http://www.irfca.org/articles/manning/mysore.html "The Ex-Mysore State Metre Gauge Lines" by Ian Manning 2007. IRFCA ''Indian Railways Fan Club'' ] Retrieved on  9  Feb 2016</ref>.
*1893: it was determined that the Mysore State Railway (MSR) would cede ownership and jurisdiction of “the mainline from Harihar to Bangalore and to Hindupur which will be taken over by the British Government” ...”The section from Bangalore to Mysore and Nanjangode is an isolated local line, jurisdiction over which should be retained by the Mysore State” <ref>British Library ‘India Office Records’ R/2/Box 4/35 Dispatch No 872-I, Fort William, 9 Mar 1893 from- Sir Mortimer Durand, K.C.I.E., C.S.I. Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department to The Resident in Mysore, Para 2.</ref>
*1907:  the SMR transformed itself into the [[Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway]] (M&SMR), with the lease following.  At this time, the Railway Department of the State of Mysore was defunct.


In 1907, the SMR transformed itself into the [[Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway]] (M&SMR), with the lease following. At this time, the Railway Department of the State of Mysore was defunct.
== Original Mysore State Railway Lines==
''See separate pages for further information''.
* ‘[[Mysore-Bangalore Railway]]’, 86 miles(138km) MG from [[Mysore]] to [[Bangalore]] via Chanapatna, constructed by Mysore State, opened 1881-82 <ref name=Adminp92>[https://archive.org/stream/BombayBarodaAndCentralIndiaRailwaySystem/Bombay_Baroda_And_Central_India_Railway_System#page/n100/mode/1up “Administration Report on Railways 1918” page 92 (pdf100) ]; Retrieved  13 Feb 2018</ref>. Worked by Mysore State until 1887, then by SMR. In 1893 ownership transferred  to the Government of India and worked by SMR until 1907, then M&SMR as part of the M&MSR ‘Mysore Section’ until 1919, when it reverted to MSR.
* ‘[[Bangalore Harihar Railway]]’, 210 miles(336km) MG from [[Bangalore]] to [[Harihar]] via [[Yesvantpur|Yesvantpur Junction]], constructed by Mysore State, opened  in stages from 1884-89 <ref name=Adminp92/>, with 33 stations <ref>British Library ‘India Office Records’ IOR/R/2/Box 4/35</ref> .  Worked by Mysore State until 1887, SMR 1887-1907. In , then M&SMR as part of the M&MSR ‘Mysore Section’ until 1938 when it reverted to MSR.
* ‘[[Bangalore Hindupur Railway]]’, 51 miles(82km) MG from [[Yesvantpur]] to the Mysore Frontier at [[Hindupur]] constructed by Mysore State. On opening in 1893 ownership transferred  to the Government of India and worked by SMR until 1907,  then M&SMR as part of the M&MSR ‘Mysore Section’ until 1938 when reverted to MSR.
* ‘[[Mysore-Nanjangud Railway]]’, 16 miles(26km) MG from [[Mysore]] to [[Nanjangud]], a branch line, constructed by Mysore State , opened  1891 <ref name=Adminp92/>. Worked by SMR until 1907; then M&SMR until 1919; then reverted to MSR.
* ‘[[Yesvantpur-Hindupur Railway]], total 58½ miles(94km) MG. ‘[[Yesvantpur|Yesvantpur Junction]] to Mysore Frontier Section’, 51¼ miles opened 1893-94 <ref>[https://archive.org/stream/BombayBarodaAndCentralIndiaRailwaySystem/Bombay_Baroda_And_Central_India_Railway_System#page/n98/mode/1up “Administration Report on Railways 1918” page 90 (pdf98) ]; Retrieved  13 Feb 2018</ref>; ‘Mysore Frontier to [[Hindupur]] Section’, 7¼ miles opened 1893  <ref>[https://archive.org/stream/BombayBarodaAndCentralIndiaRailwaySystem/Bombay_Baroda_And_Central_India_Railway_System#page/n94/mode/1up “Administration Report on Railways 1918” page 86 (pdf94)]; Retrieved  13 Feb 2018</ref>/>. Worked by SMR until 1907; then M&SMR until 1919; then reverted to MSR.
* ‘[[Birur-Shimoga Railway]]’, 38 miles(61km) MG from [[Birur]] to [[Shimoga]], a branch line, constructed by Mysore State, opened  1899 <ref name=Adminp88>[https://archive.org/stream/BombayBarodaAndCentralIndiaRailwaySystem/Bombay_Baroda_And_Central_India_Railway_System#page/n96/mode/1up “Administration Report on Railways 1918” page 88 (pdf96) ]; Retrieved  13 Feb 2018</ref>. Worked by SMR until 1907; then M&SMR until 1919; then reverted to MSR.


From 1912, the State of Mysore again became actively involved in the promotion and construction of railway lines within its boundaries, and, between 1916 and 1918, opened 232 miles of railway to traffic. In 1919, the State succesfully sought the reversion of the [[Mysore]] to [[Bangalore]] section and two branch lines, the [[Birur-Shimoga Railway|Birur-Shimoga]] and the [[Mysore-Nanjangud Railway|Mysore-Nanjangud Railways]]. Further construction, chiefly between 1921 and 1934, added 105 miles of new track.
==Second Mysore State Railway History==
[[File: Mysore State Railway 1931.png|thumb| Mysore State Railway 1931]]
''This development is clearly seen on the 1931 Map''.
*1912: the State of Mysore again became actively involved in the promotion and construction of railway lines within its boundaries and, between 1916 and 1918, opened 232 miles of railway to traffic.  
*1919, the [[Mysore State]] successfully sought the reversion from the M&SMR of the [[Mysore-Bangalore Railway| ‘Mysore -Bangalore Section’]] and two branch lines, the ‘[[Birur-Shimoga Railway]]’ and the ‘[[Mysore-Nanjangud Railway]]’ became another part of the the MSR<ref> British Library IOR L/F/8/20/1704
‘Contract with the Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway Co.Ltd  as to the transfer of Mysore-Nanjangud , Birur-Shimoga and Mysore-Bangalore Railways sections of the Mysore Railway to the Mysore Durbar. Dated 24 Oct 1924 effective 1 Oct 1919</ref>
*Further construction, chiefly between 1921 and 1934, added 105 miles of new track.
*1938. From 1 January 1938, the lines leased to M&SMR reverted to the control of the State of Mysore, creating a homogenous railway of just under 740 miles.
*1950, MSR was nationalised and in 1951 became part of '''[[Southern Railway]]''', one of the then newly formed zones of [[Indian Railways]].


From 1 January 1938, the lines leased to M&SMR reverted to the control of the State of Mysore, creating a homogenous railway of just under 740 miles. In 1950, MSR was nationalised and in 1951 became part of Southern Railway, one of the then newly formed zones of Indian Railways.
== Second Mysore State Railway Lines==
''See separate pages for further information''.
<br>The following Metre Gauge(MG) Lines based on 1937 ‘History of Railways’, listed in chronological order
<ref >[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 248, pdf  291]; Retrieved 8 Jul 2020</ref>:- 
* ‘[[Mysore-Bangalore Railway]]’, 86 miles(138km) MG from [[Mysore]] to [[Bangalore]] via Chanapatna, constructed by the Original MSR, opened 1881-82
* ‘[[Mysore-Nanjangud Railway]]’, 16 miles(26km) MG from [[Mysore]] to [[Nanjangud]], a branch line, constructed by the Original MSR , opened  1891
* ‘[[Birur-Shimoga Railway]]’, 38 miles(61km) MG from [[Birur]] to [[Shimoga]], a branch line, constructed by the Original MSR, opened  1899
* ‘[[Mysore-Arsikere Railway]]’, 103 miles(166km) MG railway, from  [[Mysore]] to [[Arsikere]], opened  1918.
* ‘[[Chickjajur-Chitaldrug Railway]]’, 21 miles(34km) MG branch line from [[Chickjajur]] to [[Chitaldrug]], opened  1921.
* ‘[[Najangud-Chamrajnagar Railway]]’, 22 miles(37km) MG extension of [[Mysore-Nanjangud Railway]]  from [[Najangud]] to [[Chamrajnagar]], opened  1926.
* ‘[[Shimoga-Anandapuram Railway]]’, 36 miles(58km) MG further extension of [[Birur-Shimoga Railway]] from [[Shimoga]] to [[Anandapuram]], opened  1929-34.  
* ‘[[Anandapuram-Sagara Railway]]’, 16 miles(26km)  MG further extension of [[Birur-Shimoga Railway]] from [[Anandapuram]] to [[Sagara]] opened  1938. Sanctioned 1935 “to develop a tract of country rich in forest produce and minerals  <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” Page 41 pdf 56 Para 40 (i) ]; Retrieved 8 Jul 2020</ref>
* ‘[[Sagara-Talaguppe Railway]]’, MG further extension to [[Talaguppe]] of the [[Birur-Shimoga Railway]], opened  1940.  


==Lines worked by MSR at some time==
===Narrow Gauge (NG) Lines worked by the Second MSR===
*[[Bangalore Harihar Railway]], opened  1919. Worked by [[Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway]](M&SMR) until 1919, then MSR.
''See separate pages for further information''.
*[[Birur-Shimoga Railway]], opened 1899. Worked by M&SMR until 1919, then by MSR
The following are listed as part of the ‘Mysore Railway System’
**[[Anandapuram-Sagara Railway]], opened 1938. Further extension of [[Birur-Shimoga Railway]]; worked by MSR.
* ‘[[Tarikere-Narasimharajapura Tramway]]’, 2ft (610km) NG Tramway, 27 miles(43km), opened 1915. Worked by MSR <ref>[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 254, pdf 297]; Retrieved 8 Jul 2020</ref>.  
**[[Sagara-Talaguppe Railway]], opened 1940. Opened as extension to [[Birur-Shimoga Railway]]; worked by MSR.
* ‘[[Kolar District Railway]]’ original section known as the ‘[[Bowringpet-Chikballapur Railway]]’,  2ft 6in/762mm NG railway, 63 miles(101km), owned by [[Kolar and Mysore District Board]], opened  1913-166. Worked by MSR <ref>[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  ibid , 31 March 1937 ‘The Government of India – Railway Department’, page 252, pdf  295]; Retrieved 8 Jul 2020</ref>. 
**[[Shimoga-Anandapuram Railway]], opened 1934. Opened 1934 as extension to [[Birur-Shimoga Railway]]; worked by MSR)
* ‘[[Bangalore-Chik Ballapur Light Railway]]’, also known as the ‘[[Chikballapur-Bangalore City Railway]]’, 2ft 6in/762mm NG railway, 39 miles(62km), opened 1916-18. Worked by MSR<ref>[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  ibid , 31 March 1937 by ‘The Government of India – Railway Department’, page 250, pdf 293]; Retrieved 8 Jul 2020</ref>.
*[[Bowringpet-Chikballapur Railway]], opened 1916. Narrow Gauge Railway; worked by MSR.
** ‘[[Yelahaka-Bangarpet Railway]]’, 2ft 6in/762mm narrow gauge([[Rail_gauge#Narrow_Gauge|NG]]) line owned by [[Kolar and Mysore District Board]], opened 1913, and incorporated into the above,  worked by MSR  
*[[Chickjajur-Chitaldrug Railway]], opened  1921. A short MG branch line, worked by MSR.
* ‘[[Tadasa-Hebbe Tramway]]’, 2ft (610km) NG Tramway, 9.6 miles(15km), opened 1921. Worked by MSR <ref>[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  ibid , 31 March 1937 by ‘The Government of India – Railway Department’, page 255, pdf  298]; Retrieved 8 Jul 2020</ref>. 
*[[Kolar and Mysore District Board]], owners of two NG Narrow Gauge Railways, both worked by MSR
**[[Chikballapur-Bangalore City Railway]], opened 1918
**[[Yelahaka-Bangarpet Railway]], opened 1913 and extended 1918.
*[[Mysore-Arsikere Railway]], opened 1918. Worked by MSR.
*[[Mysore-Nanjangud Railway]], opened 1891. Worked by M&SMR until 1919; then by MSR.
**[[Najangud-Chamrajnagar Railway]], opened  1926. Extension of [[Mysore-Nanjangud Railway]]; worked by MSR
* [[Tadassa-Hebbe Tramway]], opened 1921. Worked by MSR
* [[Tarikere-Narasimharajapura Tramway]], opened 1915. Narrow gauge tramway, worked by MSR


== Records ==
== Records ==
Refer to FIBIS Fact File  #4: “Research sources for Indian Railways, 1845-1947” -  available from the [http://www.fibis.org/store/fibis-books-and-publications/bff-0004-research-sources-for-indian-railways-1845-1947/ Fibis shop]. This Fact File contains invaluable advice on 'Researching ancestors in the UK records of Indian Railways' with particular reference to the [[India Office Records]] (IOR) held at the [[British Library]]
An on-line search of the IOR records relating to this railway <ref name=name>[http://searcharchives.bl.uk/primo_library/libweb/action/search.do?vid=IAMS_VU2  “British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue”  - Search];  Retrieved 26 Jan 2016</ref>
An on-line search of the IOR records relating to this railway <ref name=name>[http://searcharchives.bl.uk/primo_library/libweb/action/search.do?vid=IAMS_VU2  “British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue”  - Search];  Retrieved 26 Jan 2016</ref>
gives the following: -
gives the following: -
* R/2/Box4/34; “Files 479A 1-3 1888 Cession to the British Govt. of jurisdiction over the Mysore State Railways”; 1886-93
* IOR/R/2/Box4/34; “Files 479A 1-3 1888 Cession to the British Govt. of jurisdiction over the Mysore State Railways”; 1886-93
* /L/F/8/13/939; “Southern Mahratta Railway Company Limited, Contract for an extension of the Mysore State Railway and maintenance and working and extension as separate undertaking Secretary of State”; 31 Aug 1887
* IOR/L/F/8/13/939; “Southern Mahratta Railway Company Limited, Contract for an extension of the Mysore State Railway and maintenance and working and extension as separate undertaking Secretary of State”; 31 Aug 1887
* L/F/8/20/1704; “Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway Company Limited, Contract as to transfer of Mysore-Nanjangud, Birur-Shimoga and Mysore-Bangalore sections of the Mysore Railway to the Mysore Durbar Secretary of “;24 Oct 1924
* IOR/L/F/8/20/1704; “Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway Company Limited, Contract as to transfer of Mysore-Nanjangud, Birur-Shimoga and Mysore-Bangalore sections of the Mysore Railway to the Mysore Durbar Secretary" 24 Oct 1924


==Personnel==
Unfortunately, there are no MSR Staff agreements held at the [[British Library]] in the [[India Office Records]].
Unfortunately, there are no MSR Staff agreements held at the [[British Library]] in the [[India Office Records]].
 
<br>The following have been found from other sources:-
==Personnel==
*[[Augustus Le Messurier]] Col. R.E. Bombay Engineers, was appointed Engineer-in-Chief of Mysore State Railway in 1879 and became Manager in 1880 <ref>[https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=b2NPAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&output=reader&hl=en_GB&pg=GBS.PA546 Google Books " India List and India Office List, 1905" page 546 (pdf page 509] Retrieved on 23 May 2016</ref>.  
*[[Augustus Le Messurier]] Col. R.E. Bombay Engineers, was appointed Engineer-in-Chief of Mysore State Railway in 1879 and became Manager in 1880 <ref>[https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=b2NPAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&output=reader&hl=en_GB&pg=GBS.PA546 Google Books " India List and India Office List, 1905" page 546 (pdf page 509] Retrieved on 23 May 2016</ref>.  
*[[Henry Wilkins Clift]], Executive Engineer from [[:Category:State Railways|State Railways]] was posted to the Mysore State Railway from c.1879 <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 23 May 2016</ref>
*[[Henry Wilkins Clift]], Executive Engineer from [[:Category:State Railways|State Railways]] was posted to the Mysore State Railway from c.1879 <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 23 May 2016</ref>


==Further Information==
''See separate pages as detailed above for further information''
* See also '''[[Southern Mahratta Railway]]''' for period 1887-1907.
* See also '''[[Madras_and_Southern_Mahratta_Railway#Railway_leased_to_M.26SMR|Madras and_Southern Mahratta Railway]]''' for period 1907-1912
* See also '''[[Tramways in Mysore State]]''' for details and map for railway and tramways in the north of Mysore State


== References ==
== References ==

Latest revision as of 08:28, 12 August 2020

Mysore State Railway

Mysore State Railway Logo
Line of route
Mysore to Bangalore
Bangalore to Harihar
Gauge / mileage
Metre gauge 296 miles (1905)
Timeline
1887 Leased to Southern Mahratta Railway
1919 Mysore-Bangalore section reverted to State
1938 Bangalore-Harihar section reverted to State
Key locations
Presidency Madras
Stations Bangalore, Birur, Harihar, Kadur, Maddur, Mysore, Seringapatam, Tumkur
System agency
1882 Worked by Southern Mahratta Railway
1938 Reverted to Mysore State Railway control
How to interpret this infobox
Mysore State Railway
[[Image:|150px| ]]
System timeline
1887 Original Mysore State Lines leased to Southern Mahratta Railway
1912 System re-formed by State of Mysore
1919 Reversion of some lines
1938 Lease terminated and lines reverted to full State of Mysore control
Constituent companies / lines
1919 & 1938 Mysore State Railway
1938 Anandapuram-Sagara Railway
1919 Birur-Shimoga Railway
1916 Bowringpet-Chikballapur Railway
1921 Chickjajur-Chitaldrug Railway
1918 Chikballapur-Bangalore City Railway
1918 Mysore-Arsikere Railway
1919 Mysore-Nanjangud Railway
1926 Nanjangud-Chamrajnagar Railway
1934 Shimoga-Anandapuram Railway
1921 Tadasa-Hebbe Tramway
1917 Tarikere-Narasimharajapura Tramway
Key locations
Headquarters Mysore
Workshops Bangalore
Major Stations Arsikere, Birur, Bowringpet, Chamrajnagar, Chikballapur, Chitaldrug, Harihar, Hassan, Hindupur, Kadur, Maddur, Nanjangud, Seringapatam, Shimoga, Tumkur
Successor system / organisation
1950 Nationalised
1951 Southern Railway (IR zone)
System mileage
Metre gauge 600 miles (1940)
2' 6" NG 102 miles (1940)
2' 0" 36 miles (1940)
Associated auxiliary force
n/a
How to interpret this infobox

  The name, Mysore State Railway (MSR), originally referred to the metre gauge(MG) line which connected the State capital, Mysore, to Bangalore and named the Mysore-Bangalore Railway. The MSR also developed a number of other railways which from 1887 were initially leased to the Southern Mahratta Railway (SMR).

Later, the MSR, or Mysore Railway as it was sometimes known in this context, was the name applied to a network of disjointed metre gauge(MG) branch lines owned by the Princely Mysore State Durbar.

Original Mysore State Railway History

Mysore State Railway - Original Lines
  • 1872-73: Proposals to develop railways in Mysore State were turned down in favour of irrigation projects “for the improvement and re-establishment of the ancient system of irrigation, before any outlay is applied to the construction of a railway” [1]
  • 1876-77: following the disastrous famine the original sections of the MSR were planned and built by the State of Mysore,
  • 1881-82 opening to traffic.
  • 1887: in order to eradicate its "famine debt", the State of Mysore leased the MSR to the Southern Mahratta Railway (SMR) for a period of 45 years.[2].
  • 1893: it was determined that the Mysore State Railway (MSR) would cede ownership and jurisdiction of “the mainline from Harihar to Bangalore and to Hindupur which will be taken over by the British Government” ...”The section from Bangalore to Mysore and Nanjangode is an isolated local line, jurisdiction over which should be retained by the Mysore State” [3]
  • 1907: the SMR transformed itself into the Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway (M&SMR), with the lease following. At this time, the Railway Department of the State of Mysore was defunct.

Original Mysore State Railway Lines

See separate pages for further information.

  • ‘Mysore-Bangalore Railway’, 86 miles(138km) MG from Mysore to Bangalore via Chanapatna, constructed by Mysore State, opened 1881-82 [4]. Worked by Mysore State until 1887, then by SMR. In 1893 ownership transferred to the Government of India and worked by SMR until 1907, then M&SMR as part of the M&MSR ‘Mysore Section’ until 1919, when it reverted to MSR.
  • ‘Bangalore Harihar Railway’, 210 miles(336km) MG from Bangalore to Harihar via Yesvantpur Junction, constructed by Mysore State, opened in stages from 1884-89 [4], with 33 stations [5] . Worked by Mysore State until 1887, SMR 1887-1907. In , then M&SMR as part of the M&MSR ‘Mysore Section’ until 1938 when it reverted to MSR.
  • ‘Bangalore Hindupur Railway’, 51 miles(82km) MG from Yesvantpur to the Mysore Frontier at Hindupur constructed by Mysore State. On opening in 1893 ownership transferred to the Government of India and worked by SMR until 1907, then M&SMR as part of the M&MSR ‘Mysore Section’ until 1938 when reverted to MSR.
  • ‘Mysore-Nanjangud Railway’, 16 miles(26km) MG from Mysore to Nanjangud, a branch line, constructed by Mysore State , opened 1891 [4]. Worked by SMR until 1907; then M&SMR until 1919; then reverted to MSR.
  • ‘Yesvantpur-Hindupur Railway, total 58½ miles(94km) MG. ‘Yesvantpur Junction to Mysore Frontier Section’, 51¼ miles opened 1893-94 [6]; ‘Mysore Frontier to Hindupur Section’, 7¼ miles opened 1893 [7]/>. Worked by SMR until 1907; then M&SMR until 1919; then reverted to MSR.
  • ‘Birur-Shimoga Railway’, 38 miles(61km) MG from Birur to Shimoga, a branch line, constructed by Mysore State, opened 1899 [8]. Worked by SMR until 1907; then M&SMR until 1919; then reverted to MSR.

Second Mysore State Railway History

Mysore State Railway 1931

This development is clearly seen on the 1931 Map.

  • 1912: the State of Mysore again became actively involved in the promotion and construction of railway lines within its boundaries and, between 1916 and 1918, opened 232 miles of railway to traffic.
  • 1919, the Mysore State successfully sought the reversion from the M&SMR of the ‘Mysore -Bangalore Section’ and two branch lines, the ‘Birur-Shimoga Railway’ and the ‘Mysore-Nanjangud Railway’ became another part of the the MSR[9]
  • Further construction, chiefly between 1921 and 1934, added 105 miles of new track.
  • 1938. From 1 January 1938, the lines leased to M&SMR reverted to the control of the State of Mysore, creating a homogenous railway of just under 740 miles.
  • 1950, MSR was nationalised and in 1951 became part of Southern Railway, one of the then newly formed zones of Indian Railways.

Second Mysore State Railway Lines

See separate pages for further information.
The following Metre Gauge(MG) Lines based on 1937 ‘History of Railways’, listed in chronological order [10]:-

Narrow Gauge (NG) Lines worked by the Second MSR

See separate pages for further information. The following are listed as part of the ‘Mysore Railway System’

Records

An on-line search of the IOR records relating to this railway [16] gives the following: -

  • IOR/R/2/Box4/34; “Files 479A 1-3 1888 Cession to the British Govt. of jurisdiction over the Mysore State Railways”; 1886-93
  • IOR/L/F/8/13/939; “Southern Mahratta Railway Company Limited, Contract for an extension of the Mysore State Railway and maintenance and working and extension as separate undertaking Secretary of State”; 31 Aug 1887
  • IOR/L/F/8/20/1704; “Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway Company Limited, Contract as to transfer of Mysore-Nanjangud, Birur-Shimoga and Mysore-Bangalore sections of the Mysore Railway to the Mysore Durbar Secretary" 24 Oct 1924

Personnel

Unfortunately, there are no MSR Staff agreements held at the British Library in the India Office Records.
The following have been found from other sources:-

Further Information

See separate pages as detailed above for further information

References

  1. ↑ British Library ‘India Office Records L/PARL/2/100 “Railways in India for the year 1872-73” by Juland Danvers , Government Director of the Indian Railways’-– presented to both Houses of Parliament’ by HM Command. Extract from Annual Report 1872-73; Para 92
  2. ↑ "The Ex-Mysore State Metre Gauge Lines" by Ian Manning 2007. IRFCA Indian Railways Fan Club Retrieved on 9 Feb 2016
  3. ↑ British Library ‘India Office Records’ R/2/Box 4/35 Dispatch No 872-I, Fort William, 9 Mar 1893 from- Sir Mortimer Durand, K.C.I.E., C.S.I. Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department to The Resident in Mysore, Para 2.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 “Administration Report on Railways 1918” page 92 (pdf100) ; Retrieved 13 Feb 2018
  5. ↑ British Library ‘India Office Records’ IOR/R/2/Box 4/35
  6. ↑ “Administration Report on Railways 1918” page 90 (pdf98) ; Retrieved 13 Feb 2018
  7. ↑ “Administration Report on Railways 1918” page 86 (pdf94); Retrieved 13 Feb 2018
  8. ↑ “Administration Report on Railways 1918” page 88 (pdf96) ; Retrieved 13 Feb 2018
  9. ↑ British Library IOR L/F/8/20/1704 ‘Contract with the Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway Co.Ltd as to the transfer of Mysore-Nanjangud , Birur-Shimoga and Mysore-Bangalore Railways sections of the Mysore Railway to the Mysore Durbar. Dated 24 Oct 1924 effective 1 Oct 1919
  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 248, pdf 291; Retrieved 8 Jul 2020
  11. ↑ “Report by the Railway Board on Indian Railways for 1936-37. Vol. I; Railway Department, Government of India” Page 41 pdf 56 Para 40 (i) ; Retrieved 8 Jul 2020
  12. ↑ 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 254, pdf 297; Retrieved 8 Jul 2020
  13. ↑ ibid , 31 March 1937 ‘The Government of India – Railway Department’, page 252, pdf 295; Retrieved 8 Jul 2020
  14. ↑ ibid , 31 March 1937 by ‘The Government of India – Railway Department’, page 250, pdf 293; Retrieved 8 Jul 2020
  15. ↑ ibid , 31 March 1937 by ‘The Government of India – Railway Department’, page 255, pdf 298; Retrieved 8 Jul 2020
  16. ↑ “British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue” - Search; Retrieved 26 Jan 2016
  17. ↑ Google Books " India List and India Office List, 1905" page 546 (pdf page 509 Retrieved on 23 May 2016
  18. ↑ Google Books " India List and India Office List, 1905" page 456 (pdf page 419) Retrieved on 23 May 2016
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