Great Indian Peninsula Railway: Difference between revisions

From FIBIwiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
← Older edit
PEA-2292 (talk | contribs)
9,628 edits
m '1863-67, GIPR Nagpur Branch' text changed with Contractor stated with link
PEA-2292 (talk | contribs)
9,628 edits
‘Stations Infobox’ and ‘Stations’ heading revised
 
(21 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown)
Line 70: Line 70:
|company12details=  
|company12details=  
|headquarters= [[Bombay]]
|headquarters= [[Bombay]]
|workshop= [[Parel]]
|workshop= ''see also'' [[GIPR Railway Workshops]] <br>[[Parel]] (BG), [[Bhusawal]], [[Harda]], [[Igatpuri]], [[Lonauli]], [[Jhansi]], [[Jubbulpore]], [[Bhusawal]]
|stations= [[Agra]], [[Ahmadnagar]], [[Akola]], [[Amraoti]], [[Banda]], [[Bhopal]], [[Bhusawal]], [[Cawnpore]], [[Chanda]], [[Delhi]], [[Dholpur]], [[Gwalior]], [[Hotgi]], [[Itarsi]], [[Jhansi]], [[Jubbulpore]], [[Khandwa]], [[Muttra]], [[Nagpur]], [[Narsinghpue]], [[Poona]], [[Raichur]], [[Saugor]], [[Wadi]]
|stations= ''' [[Agra]] ''', [[Ahmadnagar]], [[Akola]], [[Amraoti]], [[Banda]], [[Bhopal]], [[Bhusawal]], ''' [[Bombay]]''' , '''[[Cawnpore]]''', [[Chanda]], ''' [[Delhi]] ''', [[Dholpur]], [[Gwalior]], [[Hotgi]], [[Itarsi]], [[Jhansi]], [[Jubbulpore]], [[Khandwa]], [[Muttra]], [[Nagpur]], [[Narsinghpur]], [[Poona]], [[Raichur]], [[Saugor]], [[Wadi]]
''See also heading '''Stations''' for major stations marked'' '''bold'''
|system1date= 1951
|system1date= 1951
|system1details= [[Central Railway]] (IR zone)
|system1details= [[Central Railway]] (IR zone)
|system2date=
|system2date=
|system2details=
|system2details=  
|system3date=
|system3date=
|system3details=   
|system3details=   
Line 88: Line 89:
|auxillary forces= [[Great Indian Peninsula Railway Regiment]]
|auxillary forces= [[Great Indian Peninsula Railway Regiment]]
}}
}}
[[Image:India-rail-1870.jpg|right|thumb|Map of GIPR in 1870]]
[[File: Great Indian Peninsula Railway Map 1909 north section.png|thumb|Great Indian Peninsula Railway Map 1909 – north section]]
[[File: Great Indian Peninsula Railway Map 1909 south section.png|thumb|Great Indian Peninsula Railway Map 1909 – south section]]
{{Railwaymap  
{{Railwaymap  
|railway= the North East Division
|railway= the North East Division
|link= http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=108089533651928306068.0004776aacede4ad4baa7
|link= http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=108089533651928306068.0004776aacede4ad4baa7
}}
}}
Like most of the early railways in India, the '''Great Indian Peninsula Railway''' (GIPR) was a British company, registered in London, privately owned and financed, operating under licence and guarantee from the (British) Board of Control in India and the [[East India Company]] (EIC). The GIPR was India's and Asia's first railway.
Like most of the early railways in India, the '''Great Indian Peninsula Railway''' (GIPR) was a British company, registered in London, privately owned and financed, operating under licence and guarantee from the (British) Board of Control in India and the [[East India Company]] (EIC). The GIPR was India's and Asia's first railway.


Line 99: Line 105:


== History ==
== History ==
*1845. Registered as a company in 1845, with its head office in London, the Great Indian Peninsula railway initially proposed a length of 1300 miles, to connect Bombay with the interior of the Indian peninsula and to a major port on the east coast. It was meant for the purpose of increasing the export of cotton, silk, opium, sugar and spices <ref name=GIPR>[http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Great_Indian_Peninsula_Railway:_1845_Company_Registration Grace's Guide " GIPR 1945 Company Registration] Retrieved on 3 Jul 2016</ref>.
*1845. Registered as a company in 1845, with its head office in London, the ‘Great Indian Peninsula initially proposed a length of 1300 miles, to connect Bombay with the interior of the Indian peninsula and to a major port on the east coast. It was meant for the purpose of increasing the export of cotton, silk, opium, sugar and spices. The Announcement of company formation gave the listing of the ‘Committee of Management ‘  <ref name=RegGIPR>[http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Great_Indian_Peninsula_Railway:_1845_Company_Registration Grace's Guide " GIPR 1945 Company Registration] Retrieved on 5 May 2020</ref>.  One of these being [[Robert Stephenson]], London based Consulting Engineer, he remained in this capacity until 1859
*1849, at the urging of the Governor, Lord Dalhousie,  the East Indian Company(EIC) sanctioned the construction of a broad gauge([[Rail_gauge#Broad_Gauge|BG]]) railway eastward from [[Bombay]] and the Great Indian Peninsula Railway Company was incorporated on August 1, 1849 by an act of the British Parliament. It had a share capital of 50,000 pounds. On August 17, 1849 it entered into a formal contract with the EIC for the construction and operation of an experimental line, 35 miles(56 km) long. The Court of Directors of the EIC appointed [[James John Berkeley]] as Chief Resident Engineer and [[Charles Buchanan Ker]] and [[Robert W Graham]] as his assistants <ref name=GIPR>[http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Great_Indian_Peninsula_Railway Grace's Guide "Great Indian Peninsula Railway"] Retrieved on 3 Jul 2016</ref>.
*1847. [[Robert Stephenson |Stephenson ]] reported preliminary findings to the directors, although he cannot have been in a position to provide more than general advice and a reviews of the material gathered by the surveys This concluded that the best method to climb 1800 feet over the Ghat mountains in just 15 miles was to use locomotives assisted by ropes worked by a stationary engine <ref name=biog>[https://books.google.fr/books?id=BzErDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA155&lpg=PA155#v=onepage&q&f=false Google Books “Robert Stephenson – The Eminent Engineer” edited by Michael R. Bailey; page 155-57] Retrieved on 5 May 2020</ref>.
* 1847-48. The subsequent recession removed the financial incentive for railways in India but the GIPR scheme continued but only through the involvement of the ’East India Company’ which guaranteed a minimum of 5% dividend , however only a 35 mile route between Bombay and Kalyan was authorised <ref name=biog/>.
*1849. At the urging of the Governor, Lord Dalhousie,  the East Indian Company(EIC) sanctioned the construction of a broad gauge([[Rail_gauge#Broad_Gauge|BG]]) railway eastward from [[Bombay]] and the ‘Great Indian Peninsula Railway Company ‘ was incorporated on August 1, 1849 by an act of the British Parliament. It had a share capital of 50,000 pounds. On August 17, 1849 it entered into a formal contract with the EIC for the construction and operation of an experimental line, 35 miles(56 km) long. The Court of Directors of the EIC appointed [[James John Berkley]] as Chief Resident Engineer and [[Charles Buchanan Ker]] and [[Robert W Graham]] as his assistants <ref name=GIPR>[http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Great_Indian_Peninsula_Railway Grace's Gide "Great Indian Peninsula Railway which quotes from 'Morning Post' - Saturday 18 August 1849""]; Retrieved on 5 May 2020</ref>.
* 1850. [[Robert Stephenson |Stephenson ]]  provided the directors with cost estimates and recommended [[James John Berkley]] as Chief Engineer to supervise the building of the line. The Court of Directors of the [[East India Company]] appointed [[James John Berkeley]] as Chief Resident Engineer with [[Charles Buchanan Ker]] and [[Robert W Graham]] as his assistants <ref name=GIPR/>
*1850. A Tender was submitted for the first railway contract in Western India, from Bombay to Tanna, by [[William Frederick Faviell]] and  Henry Fowler. The Tender was accepted by the ‘Great Indian Peninsula Railway Company’<ref name=Faviell>[https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/William_Frederick_Faviell 'Grace's Guide' - "William Frederick Faviell"] Retrieved on 5 May 2020</ref>. 
*1851-53. [[William Frederick Faviell|Faviell]] and Fowler actively prosecuted the work, Fowler’s health failed after a few months’ exposure to the climate of India, and compelled his return to England. The execution of the contract then devolved entirely upon Faviell, and was completed to the satisfaction of the Company, the line being opened for traffic on the 16th April, 1853. That was the first line of railway opened for public traffic in India, and in its construction the first locomotive engine used in Asia was introduced on the 23rd February, 1852, for ballasting the line near Bombay <ref name=Faviell/>.
*1859. [[George Berkley]] succeeded  [[Robert Stephenson]] as GIPR Consultant Engineer  based in London. Previously Assistant and had been liaising with his brother [[James John Berkley]], Chief Resident Engineer.  
*1859, GIPR was tasked with "the construction and working of the following lines, all of which terminate at Bombay, - viz. from Bombay, ''via'' Callian, to Jubbulpore, to meet the East Indian Railway Company's line from Allahabad, with branches to Mahim and Nagpore - 870 miles; and from Callian, ''via'' Poonah and Sholapore, to the opposite side of the river Kristna, to meet the line, ''via'' Bellary, from Madras - 366 miles - total, 1,236 miles. Capital 10,000,000''l''l. Rate of Interest Guaranteed - 5 per cent. on 8,000,000''l''. capital, and 4½ per cent. on 333,000''l''. debentures, the balance to be raised upon arrangements to be hereafter made." <ref>"Money Market and City Intelligence", ''The Times'',  Wednesday, 15 June 1859, #23333, 7a.</ref> <ref> [https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/228649/8330.pdf  H.M. Government “Statute Law Repeals: Nineteenth Report : Draft Statute Law (Repeals) Bill; April 2012";  pages  128-130 paragraphs 3.57 - 3.64] Retrieved on 3 Jul 2016</ref>.  
*1859, GIPR was tasked with "the construction and working of the following lines, all of which terminate at Bombay, - viz. from Bombay, ''via'' Callian, to Jubbulpore, to meet the East Indian Railway Company's line from Allahabad, with branches to Mahim and Nagpore - 870 miles; and from Callian, ''via'' Poonah and Sholapore, to the opposite side of the river Kristna, to meet the line, ''via'' Bellary, from Madras - 366 miles - total, 1,236 miles. Capital 10,000,000''l''l. Rate of Interest Guaranteed - 5 per cent. on 8,000,000''l''. capital, and 4½ per cent. on 333,000''l''. debentures, the balance to be raised upon arrangements to be hereafter made." <ref>"Money Market and City Intelligence", ''The Times'',  Wednesday, 15 June 1859, #23333, 7a.</ref> <ref> [https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/228649/8330.pdf  H.M. Government “Statute Law Repeals: Nineteenth Report : Draft Statute Law (Repeals) Bill; April 2012";  pages  128-130 paragraphs 3.57 - 3.64] Retrieved on 3 Jul 2016</ref>.  


Line 110: Line 122:
'''North-East Line''' - [[Bombay]] via [[Callian]] and [[Thal Ghat Railway Construction|Thal Ghat]] to [[Jubbulpore]] - 615 miles(990km)  
'''North-East Line''' - [[Bombay]] via [[Callian]] and [[Thal Ghat Railway Construction|Thal Ghat]] to [[Jubbulpore]] - 615 miles(990km)  


The GIPR Chief Engineer [[James John Berkeley]]'s proposal was to form a grand trunk communication by the north-eastern mainline between [[Bombay]] and [[Calcutta]],  
The GIPR Chief Engineer [[James John Berkley]]'s proposal was to form a grand trunk communication by the north-eastern mainline between [[Bombay]] and [[Calcutta]],  
*1857-61, [[Callian]] (later named [[Kalyan]]) to [[Kasara]] section constructed, a further  42 miles(68 km)<ref>[http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Great_Indian_Peninsula_Railway Graces Guide "Great Indian Peninsula Railway - 1865"]; Retrieved 3 Jul 2016</ref>  rising to an altitude of 948 feet(289m) above sea level at [[Kasara]] at the approach to the [[Thal Ghat Railway Construction|Thal Ghat]]. Opened in 1861.
*1857-61, [[Callian]] (later named [[Kalyan]]) to [[Kasara]] section constructed, a further  42 miles(68 km)<ref>[http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Great_Indian_Peninsula_Railway Graces Guide "Great Indian Peninsula Railway - 1865"]; Retrieved 3 Jul 2016</ref>  rising to an altitude of 948 feet(289m) above sea level at [[Kasara]] at the approach to the [[Thal Ghat Railway Construction|Thal Ghat]]. Opened in 1861.
*1857 Aug, [[Messrs. Wythes and Jackson, Construction Contractors|Messrs. Wythes and Jackson]] were awarded the contract for the '''[[Thal Ghat Railway Construction]]'''  
*1857 Aug, [[Messrs. Wythes and Jackson, Construction Contractors|Messrs. Wythes and Jackson]] were awarded the contract for the '''[[Thal Ghat Railway Construction]]'''  
*1857-65. The [[Thal Ghat Railway Construction|Thal Ghat Railway]] was a major project to take the GIPR mainline across the Western Ghats towards [[Jubbulpore]]. The [[Kasara]] to [[Igatpuri]] section was 9.5 miles(15km) and within that distance the line had to rise to 1,918 feet(585m). The construction required 13 tunnels, 6 viaducts, including the [[Ehagaon Viaduct]]; cuttings; embankments; 15 bridges and culverts and the Reversing Station <ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=a5MEAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=bombay+mechanics&hl=en&ei=8FUcTMGmHqC0nAeWxImdDg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCwQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false  Google Books  "Paper on the (GIPR) Thul Ghaut Railway" incline  delivered to the Bombay Mechancs Institution in December 1860 by the GIPR Chief Engineer [[James John Berkeley]], page 20.] Retrieved on 2 Jul 2016</ref>.
*1857-65. The [[Thal Ghat Railway Construction|Thal Ghat Railway]] was a major project to take the GIPR mainline across the Western Ghats towards [[Jubbulpore]]. The [[Kasara]] to [[Igatpuri]] section was 9.5 miles(15km) and within that distance the line had to rise to 1,918 feet(585m). The construction required 13 tunnels, 6 viaducts, including the [[Ehagaon Viaduct]]; cuttings; embankments; 15 bridges and culverts and the Reversing Station <ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=a5MEAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=bombay+mechanics&hl=en&ei=8FUcTMGmHqC0nAeWxImdDg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCwQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false  Google Books  "Paper on the (GIPR) Thul Ghaut Railway" incline  delivered to the Bombay Mechancs Institution in December 1860 by the GIPR Chief Engineer [[James John Berkley]], page 20.] Retrieved on 2 Jul 2016</ref>.
*c.1859-65, [[Messrs. Wythes and Jackson, Construction Contractors|Messrs. Wythes and Jackson]] were awarded a further contact to construct a further section of the GIPR north-eastern line from [[Igatpuri]] at the end of the Thal Ghat, this was opened in stages reaching [[Chalisgaon]] in 1861, [[Jalgaon]] in 1863 and [[Bhusawal]] in 1865, a total of 191.24 miles(307km)<ref>[https://archive.org/stream/BombayBarodaAndCentralIndiaRailwaySystem/Bombay_Baroda_And_Central_India_Railway_System#page/n73/mode/2up " Administration Report on the Railways in India – corrected up to 31st March 1918"; Superintendent of Government  Printing,  Calcutta;  pages 64-68, pdf pages 73-77]; Retrieved 6 Jun 2016</ref>.
*c.1859-65, [[Messrs. Wythes and Jackson, Construction Contractors|Messrs. Wythes and Jackson]] were awarded a further contact to construct a further section of the GIPR north-eastern line from [[Igatpuri]] at the end of the Thal Ghat, this was opened in stages reaching [[Chalisgaon]] in 1861, [[Jalgaon]] in 1863 and [[Bhusawal]] in 1865, a total of 191.24 miles(307km)<ref>[https://archive.org/stream/BombayBarodaAndCentralIndiaRailwaySystem/Bombay_Baroda_And_Central_India_Railway_System#page/n73/mode/1up " Administration Report on the Railways in India – corrected up to 31st March 1918"; Superintendent of Government  Printing,  Calcutta;  pages 64-68, pdf pages 73-77]; Retrieved 6 Jun 2016</ref>.
*1861-65, [[Igatpuri]]-[[Jalgaon]]-[[Bhusawal]] progressivly opened.  
*1861-65, [[Igatpuri]]-[[Jalgaon]]-[[Bhusawal]] progressivly opened.  
*1863-67, GIPR [[Nagpur]] Branch from [[Bhusawal]] was built by [[Messrs. Lee, Watson and Ayton, Construction Contractors]].   
*1863-67, [[GIPR Nagpur Branch]] from [[Bhusawal]] was built by [[Messrs. Lee, Watson and Ayton, Construction Contractors]].   
*1865, with completion of [[Thal Ghat Railway Construction|Thal Ghat]] the mainline from Bombay reached [[Khandwar]].
*1865, with completion of [[Thal Ghat Railway Construction|Thal Ghat]] and the [[Taptee (Bhusawal) Viaduct GIPR| Taptee Viaduct]] near [[Bhusawal]] the mainline from [[Bombay]] reached [[Khandwa]].
*1868 July, [[Robert Maitland Brereton]], GIPR Chief Engineer was given responsibility for completing the connection between [[Bhusawal]] and [[Jubbulpore]] which he completed many months ahead of schedule  <ref name>[http://www.thestatesman.com/mobi/news/8th-day/the-opening-of-the-mumbai-to-kolkata-railway/141013.html#SL3vjC1hEy3Vmu3P.99 The Statesman, New Delhi "The opening of the Mumbai to Kolkata railway by Michael Sandford, May 9 2016]; Retrieved  3 Jul 2016</ref>.  
*1868 July, [[Robert Maitland Brereton]], GIPR Chief Engineer was given responsibility for completing the connection between [[Bhusawal]] and [[Jubbulpore]] which he completed many months ahead of schedule  <ref name>[http://www.thestatesman.com/mobi/news/8th-day/the-opening-of-the-mumbai-to-kolkata-railway/141013.html#SL3vjC1hEy3Vmu3P.99 The Statesman, New Delhi "The opening of the Mumbai to Kolkata railway by Michael Sandford, May 9 2016]; Retrieved  3 Jul 2016</ref>.  
*1868-70 the [[Khandwa]] to [[Itarsi]] section opened and with the [[Nerbudda (Itsari-Jubblepore) Bridge GIPR|Nerbudda Bridge ]] completed the line reached [[Jubbulpore]] in 1870
*1870 March 8. The [[Alfred Viaduct]] was inaugurated and named after the Duke of Edinburgh (Alfred Ernest Albert) who was visiting India and travelled by East Indian Railway from Calcutta. The Viceroy and the Governor of Bombay, Sir Fitzgerald Seymour had come from Bombay. With the opening of the GIPR North-Eastern Line the connection at [[Jubbulpore]] to the [[East Indian Railway]] (EIR)  completed Dalhousie’s dream of a Bombay-Calcutta route.   
*1870 March 8. The [[Alfred Viaduct]] was inaugurated and named after the Duke of Edinburgh (Alfred Ernest Albert) who was visiting India and travelled by East Indian Railway from Calcutta. The Viceroy and the Governor of Bombay, Sir Fitzgerald Seymour had come from Bombay. With the opening of the GIPR North-Eastern Line the connection at [[Jubbulpore]] to the [[East Indian Railway]] (EIR)  completed Dalhousie’s dream of a Bombay-Calcutta route.   


'''South-East Line''' - [[Callian]] via [[Bhore Ghat Railway Construction|Bhor Ghat]] and [[Poona]] to meet the [[Madras Railway]] - 409 miles(658km)
'''South-East Line''' - [[Callian]] via [[Bhore Ghat Railway Construction|Bhor Ghat]] and [[Poona]] to meet the [[Madras Railway]] - 409 miles(658km)
*1856 May, the line was extended to  the villages of [[Palasdhari]](Padusdhurree) and to [[Khopoli]](Campoolie) <ref name=wiki> [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Indian_Peninsula_Railway#Bombay_to_Tannah Wikipedia “Great Indian Peninsula Railway”]; Retrieved  25 June 2016</ref> at the approach to the [[Bhore Ghat Railway Construction|Bhor Ghat]]. The   
*1856 May, the line was extended to  the villages of [[Palasdhari]](Padusdhurree) and to [[Khopoli]](Campoolie) <ref name=wiki> [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Indian_Peninsula_Railway#Bombay_to_Tannah Wikipedia “Great Indian Peninsula Railway”]; Retrieved  25 June 2016</ref> at the approach to the [[Bhore Ghat Railway Construction|Bhor Ghat]]. The   
*1856-63. The '''[[Bhore Ghat Railway Construction]]''' was a major engineering challenge to take the GIPR mainline across the Western Ghats towards Madras. The construction with GIPR Chief Engineer [[James John Berkeley]] in charge involved an incline length of 15 miles(24km), 26 tunnels (totalling 2.25 miles(3.6km) in length), and 8 viaducts of masonry construction.
*1856-63. The [[Bhore Ghat Railway Construction]] was a major engineering challenge to take the GIPR mainline across the Western Ghats towards Madras. The construction with GIPR Chief Engineer [[James John Berkley]] in charge involved an incline length of 15 miles(24km), 26 tunnels (totalling 2.25 miles(3.6km) in length), and 8 viaducts of masonry construction.
*1858, the line from [[Khandala]] to  [[Poona]] section was opened to traffic  <ref name=wiki/> , this section included the  [[Dapoorie Viaduct]]  
*1858, the line from [[Khandala]] to  [[Poona]] section was opened to traffic  <ref name=wiki/> , this section included the  [[Dapoorie Viaduct]]  
*1858-63, during this period, the 21 km gap to [[Khandala]] was covered by palanquin, pony or cart through the village of Campoolie <ref name=wiki/>.   
*1858-63, during this period, the 21 km gap to [[Khandala]] was covered by palanquin, pony or cart through the village of Campoolie <ref name=wiki/>.   
*1863, [[Bhore Ghat Railway Construction|Bhor Ghat]] completed the mainline was through to [[Poona]](now called Pune) and [[Sholapore]](Solapur).
*1863, [[Bhore Ghat Railway Construction|Bhor Ghat]] completed the mainline was through to [[Poona]](now called Pune) and [[Sholapore]](Solapur).
[[Image:India-rail-1870.jpg|right|thumb|Map of GIPR in 1870]]
*1870, the [[Kistna Viaduct, Raichur(GIPR)|Kisna Viaduct]] was opened and [[Raichur]] was reached in May 1871  <ref name=Admin>[https://archive.org/stream/BombayBarodaAndCentralIndiaRailwaySystem/Bombay_Baroda_And_Central_India_Railway_System#page/n73/mode/2up " Administration Report on the Railways in India – corrected up to 31st March 1918"; Superintendent of Government  Printing,  Calcutta;  pages 64-68, pdf pages 73-77]; Retrieved 23 Jul 2016</ref> where it joined the [[Madras Railway]] to link to [[Madras]] <ref name=GIPR/>.  
*1870, the [[Kistna Viaduct, Raichur(GIPR)|Kisna Viaduct]] was opened and [[Raichur]] was reached in May 1871  <ref name=Admin>[https://archive.org/stream/BombayBarodaAndCentralIndiaRailwaySystem/Bombay_Baroda_And_Central_India_Railway_System#page/n73/mode/2up " Administration Report on the Railways in India – corrected up to 31st March 1918"; Superintendent of Government  Printing,  Calcutta;  pages 64-68, pdf pages 73-77]; Retrieved 23 Jul 2016</ref> where it joined the [[Madras Railway]] to link to [[Madras]] <ref name=GIPR/>.  


'''Progress from 1870'''
===GIPR Development from 1870===
*With the completion of the GIPR mainlines the three Presidency Capitals of Bombay, Madras and Calcutta were linked. The length of the route opened was then 1483 miles/2388 km <ref name=GIPR/>.  
With the completion of the GIPR mainlines the three Presidency Capitals of Bombay, Madras and Calcutta were linked. The length of the route opened was then 1483 miles(2388 km) <ref name=GIPR/>.  
*1900 June 30, the assets of the GIPR were purchased by the GoI and merged with those of the [[Indian Midland Railway]] into a "new" GIPR, managed by the old company.
*[[1870-71_Report_on_Railways#Progress_on_State_lines._Paragraphs_5-10.3B_Pages_3-4| “1870-71 Annual Report for Indian Railways  for the  GIPR “]] gives:- [[Rail_gauge#Broad_Gauge|
*The GIPR continued to expand its network with the addition of 'Branch Lines', 'Absorbsion' of certain railways and 'Working Agreements' on other railways ''(see lists that follow)''.
‘Broad Gauge (BG)]] Line opened 1870/71,  400 miles(644km), giving total Line length 1272 miles(2047km) and nil to be finished’. The Report also details of  the [[1870-71_Report_on_Railways#Great_Indian_Peninsula_Railway._Paragraphs_63.2C64.3B_Page_34.2C35|‘progress of the railway and the commercial summery’]] - ''see separate pages for Report details.''
*1918 Administration Report on Indian Railways gives the GIPR broad gauge([[Rail_gauge#Broad_Gauge|BG]]) line length as 2668 miles(4293km); and including 2ft 6in/762mm narrow gauge([[Rail_gauge#Narrow_Gauge|NG]]) lines, a total of 3441 miles(5331km) <ref name=Admin/>.
*1900 June 30, the assets of the GIPR were purchased by the [[Government of India]](GoI) and merged with those of the [[Indian Midland Railway]] into a "new" GIPR, managed by the old company.
The GIPR continued to expand its network with the addition of 'Branch Lines', certain railways being ‘Absorbed’ and 'Working Agreements' on other railways - [[Great Indian Peninsula Railway - Lines owned and worked|'''See separate page - GIPR Lines Owned and Worked''']]
*1918 “Administration Report on Indian Railways” <ref name=Admin/> describes the ‘Great Indian Peninsula System’  with a total of 3441 miles(5489km). Comprising the ‘GIPR broad gauge’ ([[Rail_gauge#Broad_Gauge|BG]]) line length of 2668 miles(4293km) and other Railways [[Great Indian Peninsula Railway  - Lines owned and worked| as detailed on separate ‘GIPR Lines‘ page]]
*1925 Jan 1, the GoI took over direct control of the GIPR and transferred the [[Allahabad]] to [[Jubbulpore]] branch of the [[East Indian Railway|EIR]] to the GIPR.  
*1925 Jan 1, the GoI took over direct control of the GIPR and transferred the [[Allahabad]] to [[Jubbulpore]] branch of the [[East Indian Railway|EIR]] to the GIPR.  
*1937 “History Of Indian Railways” gives the ‘Great Indian Peninsula System’  with a total of 3727 miles(5998km). Comprising the ‘GIPR broad gauge’([[Rail_gauge#Broad_Gauge|BG]]) line length of 3166 miles(5095km)  and other Railways [[Great Indian Peninsula Railway  - Lines owned and worked| as detailed on separate ‘GIPR Lines’ page]]
*1951. The GIPR combined with the [[Nizam's Guaranteed State Railway]], the [[Dholpur State Railway]] and the [[Scindia State Railway]] to become [[Central Railway]], a zone of [[Indian Railways]].
*1951. The GIPR combined with the [[Nizam's Guaranteed State Railway]], the [[Dholpur State Railway]] and the [[Scindia State Railway]] to become [[Central Railway]], a zone of [[Indian Railways]].
===GIPR Bridges and Constructions===
The physical difficulties which had to be overcome are
The great physical difficulties which occur in the course of the GIPR are the mountains which separate [[Bombay]] from the Deccan, the ascent of which involves works of extraordinary magnitude and interest.
<br> See separate page ''' [[Great Indian Peninsula Railway Bridges and Constructions]] ''' for details.


===Stations===
===Stations===
[[Image:Victoria Terminus. G I P Ry, Bombay.JPG‎|right|thumb|320px|''Victoria Terminus, G I P Ry, Bombay'']]
Bombay's [[Bombay Victoria Terminus Construction Railway|Victoria Terminus]] was both the principal station and GIPR's HQ; designed by [[architect]] Frederick William Stevens. [[Bombay Victoria Terminus Construction Railway|Victoria Terminus Construction]] commenced in 1878, it opened on Queen Victoria's 1887 Golden Jubilee and completed in 1888.
Bombay's Victoria Terminus was both the principal station and GIPR's HQ; designed by [[architect]] Frederick William Stevens, it opened on Queen Victoria's 1887 Golden Jubilee.
[[Image:Victoria Terminus. G I P Ry, Bombay.JPG‎|right|thumb|320px|''Victoria Terminus, GIPR, Bombay'']]
See separate pages for details of the Stations and Rail System into the following major Cities:-
* [[Agra_Railways_%26_Stations#Agra_Stations| ‘Agra Stations’]]
* [[Bombay_Victoria_Terminus_Construction_Railway| ‘Bombay Victoria Terminus’]]
* [[Cawnpore_Railways_and_Stations#Cawnpore_Stations| ‘Cawnpore Stations’]]
* [[Delhi_Railways_%26_Stations#Delhi_Stations| ‘Delhi Stations’]]
 
===Bombay Dock Railways===
The GIPR had a collection of sidings spurring off to the docks in the east Bombay. There were numerous spurs to:
The GIPR had a collection of sidings spurring off to the docks in the east Bombay. There were numerous spurs to:
*Victoria Dock 1891
*Victoria Dock 1891
Line 149: Line 176:
*Clerk Basin
*Clerk Basin


==GIPR Branch Lines and extensions - chronological order==
==Great Indian Peninsula Railway  - Lines owned and worked==
This information from the  “Administration Report on the Railways in India – corrected up to 31st March 1918"<ref name=Admin/>
The GIPR operated an extensive network of railways of broad gauge([[Rail_gauge#Broad_Gauge|BG]]). In 1905 the route mileage was 1562 miles(2514km) and by 1918 was 2553 miles(4109km) divided into three sections ‘North East Division’, ‘South East Division’ and ‘Midland Division’ and their associated branches.
*Khopoli Branch, SE line; [[Palasdhari]](Padusdhurree)  to  [[Khopoli]](Campoolie) 1856: 7.24 miles. This section became a branch line on the opening of the [[Bhore Ghat Railway Construction|Bhor Ghat]] in 1863.
*Nagpur Branch, NE line; Bhusaval to Baderna  1863-65, to Nagpur 1867: 243.25 miles
*Khamgaon Branch, NE line; Jalamb to Khamgaon  1870: 7.97 miles
*Amraoti Branch, NE line;  Baderna to Amraoti 1871: 5.49 miles
*Mohpani Branch, NE line; Gadarvada to Mohpani  1872; extended to Goitoria 1896 and to new coal-fields 1900: 13.68 miles
*Manmad Branch, SE line; Dhond to Manmad: 145.44 miles
*Jalagon-Alalner Branch, NE line; Jalagon to Alalner 1900: 34.26 miles
*Chalisgaon-Dhulia Branch, NE line; Chalisgaon to Dhulia 1900: 34.95miles
*Bombay Harbour Branch, NE line;  1910: 6.19 miles
*Itsari-Nagpur Branch, NE line;  Itsari to Parasia;  1913-15: 134.42 miles; finally extended to Nagpur 1923-24 as part of [[Bhopal-Itsari Railway]]
*Mahim Chord, NE line; Ravali to Mahim, 1914


==Railways absorbed into GIPR==
The GIPR also managed, worked and maintained a number of lines on behalf of other parties.
*[[Agra-Delhi Chord Railway]], opened 1904. Constructed to provide extra capacity between Agra and Delhi; worked by GIPR
*[[Allahabad-Jubbulpore line]], opened 1867. Built by [[East Indian Railway]](EIR); transferred to GIPR, 1925
*[[Amraoti State Railway]], opened 1871.  Branch railway to Baderna on GIPR. Worked by GIPR and finally taken over.
*[[Bina-Goona-Baran Railway]], opened 1895. Owned by State of Gwalior and Udaipur Durbar; worked by [[Indian Midland Railway]](IMR); amalgamated into GIPR , 1900
*[[Dhond-Manmad State Railway]]; opened 1878. A 'chord' line connecting the GIPR  south-eastern main line to [[Madras]] with the GIPR north-eastern main line to [[Allahabad]], passed to GIPR 1880.
*[[Indian Midland Railway]](IMR). State agency formed 1882 to work several branch lines centred on Jhansi, amalgamated into GIPR, 1900
**[[Cawnpore-Kalpi-Jhansi Railway]], opened  1886. Line completed 1888 by IMR.
**[[Bhopal State Railway]], opened 1884.  Indian State line, initially worked by IMR as Bhopal-Itarsi (Indian State Section).
**[[Bhopal-Itarsi Railway]], opened 1882. State(British) Section; worked by IMR, 1885.
**[[Bhopal-Ujjain Railway]], opened c.1895. Indian State line worked by IMR.
**[[Bina-Katni Railway]], opened 1889. Part of IMR.
**[[Dhond-Manmad State Railway]], opened 1878. A 'chord' line connecting GIPR main lines; constructed by [[Government of India |GoI]] and handed to GIPR, 1880.
**[[Jhansi-Bina Bhopal Railway]], opened 1889. Part of IMR.
** [[Jhansi-Gwallior and Katni Railway]], opened 1889. Part of IMR.
**[[Jhansi-Konch-Kalpi Railway]], opened 1886. Part of IMR.
**[[Jhansi-Manikpore State Railway]], opened 1889. Part of IMR.
**[[Kunch- Madhggarh Railway]]. Project in 1906 by IMR/GIPR as extension to [[Ait-Kunch Branch Railway]]


==Lines worked by GIPR at some time - alphabetical order==
''See seperate page'' '''[[Great Indian Peninsula Railway  - Lines owned and worked]]'''
*[[Agra-Gwalior Railway]], opened 1881; renamed [[Gwalior Light Railway]] c.1899; worked by GIPR; renamed [[Scindia State Railway]] , 1944
 
*[[Ait-Kunch Branch Railway]], opened 189?. Indian State line initially worked by [[Indian Midland Railway]](IMR); then worked by GIPR
==Later Development==
*[[Ambaji-Taranga Light Railway]], opened 1919-20.  Unassisted Company formed 1917; apparantly worked by GIPR
Indian Railways (IR), '''[[Central Railway]] Zone''' (CR) was formed on 5 November 1951 by grouping several government-owned railways, including the ‘Great Indian Peninsula Railway’
*[[Baran-Kotah Railway]], opened 1908.  Worked by GIPR , 1909
*[[Cawnpore-Banda Railway]], opened 1913-14. Worked by GIPR , 1914
*[[Central Provinces Railway Co Ltd]](CPR). A British owned company, formed 1910, operating a group of NG lines; all worked by GIPR ; under [[Government of India |GoI]] management, 1925
**[[Darwha-Pusad Railway]], opened 1931. Part of CPR
**[[Dhond-Baramati Railway]], opened 1914-15. Part of CPR
**[[Ellichpur-Murtazapur-Yeotmal Railway]], opened first section opened as Yavatmal Murtijapur Railway 1903, extended to Ellichpur 1913 . Known informally as [[Shakuntala Railway]]. Part of CPR 
**[[Pachora-Jamner Light Railway]], opened 1919. Part of CPR
**[[Pulgaon-Arvi Railway]], opened 1917-18. Part of CPR
*[[Gwalior Light Railway]], opened 1899. Owned by State of Gwalior; worked by GIPR; renamed [[Scindia State Railway]] 1944
**[[Ujjain-Agar Branch Railway]], opened 1932. Part of [[Gwalior Light Railway]]
*[[Khamagaon-Jalna Railway]]. The date of opening of the railway is not known; the railway was under consideration in 1906.
*[[Khamgaon Branch Railway]]. Short branchline of 12km between Jalamb and Khamgaon; worked by GIPR. The date of opening of the railway is not known.
*[[Salsette Trombay Railway]], opened 1928. Operated by GIPR, closed 1934
**[[Kurla-Trombay Railway]], opened 1928. Part of [[Salsette Trombay Railway]]; worked by GIPR
*[[Nizam's Railway]], opened 1874. Worked by GIPR until 1878; then by [[Government of India |GoI]]; became [[Nizam's Guaranteed State Railway]], 1886
*[[Pench Valley Coalfield Railway]], opened 1913. Private Branch Line to [[Itarsi-Nagpur Railway]]; worked by GIPR
*[[Wardha Valley Railway]], opened 1874. Worked by GIPR, also called Wardha Coal Railway
*[[Wardha-Warora Railway]], opened. Opened in 1877, managed by GIPR by 1905


==Records==
==Records==
Line 212: Line 193:


==Personnel==
==Personnel==
<big>'''[[Great Indian Peninsula Railway Personnel]]'''</big> gives details of GIPR staff from several other sources:-
*Grace's Guide<ref>[http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Main_Page  “Grace’s Guide”];  Retrieved  3 Jul 2016</ref>
*Wikipedia and many other sources.
'''IOR Records'''
'''IOR Records'''
The following [[India Office Records]] (IOR) are relevant :-
The following [[India Office Records]] (IOR) are relevant :-
Line 220: Line 205:


'''FIBIS Resources'''
'''FIBIS Resources'''
*[http://search.fibis.org/frontis/bin/aps_browse_sources.php?mode=browse_components&id=1068&s_id=323  List of Indian Railways UK Contracted Staff taken from IOR Series L/AG/46/12]. FIBIS database
*[http://fibis.ourarchives.online/bin/aps_browse_sources.php?mode=browse_components&id=1068&s_id=323  List of Indian Railways UK Contracted Staff taken from IOR Series L/AG/46/12]. FIBIS database
 
'''[[Great Indian Peninsula Railway Personnel]]''' gives details of GIPR staff from several other sources:-
*Grace's Guide<ref>[http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Main_Page  “Grace’s Guide”];  Retrieved  3 Jul 2016</ref>
*Wikipedia and many other sources.


== External Links ==
== External links ==
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Indian_Peninsula_Railway Great Indian Peninsula Railway] Wikipedia
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Indian_Peninsula_Railway Great Indian Peninsula Railway] Wikipedia


Line 237: Line 218:
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20131120075151/http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/vim0PsB8bW75gL0GQFEkaK/Mumbai-Multiplex--The-line-starts-here.html  "Mumbai Multiplex : The line starts here"] by  Supriya Nair 4 January  2013. livemint.com "The ‘heritage wing’ of Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is a railway enthusiast’s dream"
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20131120075151/http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/vim0PsB8bW75gL0GQFEkaK/Mumbai-Multiplex--The-line-starts-here.html  "Mumbai Multiplex : The line starts here"] by  Supriya Nair 4 January  2013. livemint.com "The ‘heritage wing’ of Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is a railway enthusiast’s dream"
*[http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/mumbai-over-100-documents-of-great-indian-peninsula-railway-to-be-digitised-2907994/ "Mumbai: Over 100 documents of Great Indian Peninsula Railway to be digitized"] by Neha Kulkarni, July 12, 2016 ''The Indian Express''.
*[http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/mumbai-over-100-documents-of-great-indian-peninsula-railway-to-be-digitised-2907994/ "Mumbai: Over 100 documents of Great Indian Peninsula Railway to be digitized"] by Neha Kulkarni, July 12, 2016 ''The Indian Express''.
==Historical photographs online==
*[https://cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/view/PH-Y-03022-S/1 Hawkes collection of Indian Railway Photographs (Y3022S)] Royal Commonwealth Society Library/ University of Cambridge Digital Library. The description states "An album containing albumen prints of various sizes by R. Phillips of Darjeeling, Samuel Bourne and others. The name of F.A. Hawkes, who was an engineer...  appears frequently in it".
:Once inside the digital file, click on Contents for image titles. includes photographs whose titles include  GIPR 1868-1869.
===Historical books online===
===Historical books online===
*[https://books.google.com.au/books?id=MnAgAQAAMAAJ&pg=PR3  ''The Cotton and Commerce of India: considered in relation to the interests of Great Britain; with remarks on Railway Communication in the Bombay Presidency‬''] by John Chapman, founder and late manager of the Great Indian Peninsula Railway Company 1851 Google Books. [https://books.google.com.au/books?id=MnAgAQAAMAAJ&pg=PR19 Contents-Railway Chapters] page xix.
*[https://books.google.com.au/books?id=MnAgAQAAMAAJ&pg=PR3  ''The Cotton and Commerce of India: considered in relation to the interests of Great Britain; with remarks on Railway Communication in the Bombay Presidency‬''] by John Chapman, founder and late manager of the Great Indian Peninsula Railway Company 1851 Google Books. [https://books.google.com.au/books?id=MnAgAQAAMAAJ&pg=PR19 Contents-Railway Chapters] page xix.
Line 242: Line 226:
*[http://www.archive.org/stream/reminiscencesofo00brer#page/8/mode/2up ''Reminicences of an old English Civil Engineer 1858 -1908''] by Robert Maitland Brereton 1908 Archive.org. Includes [http://archive.org/stream/reminiscencesofo00brer#page/48/mode/2up  Appendix: India] page 49.  Brereton's account of working on the GIPR 1857-1870. He became Chief Engineer.
*[http://www.archive.org/stream/reminiscencesofo00brer#page/8/mode/2up ''Reminicences of an old English Civil Engineer 1858 -1908''] by Robert Maitland Brereton 1908 Archive.org. Includes [http://archive.org/stream/reminiscencesofo00brer#page/48/mode/2up  Appendix: India] page 49.  Brereton's account of working on the GIPR 1857-1870. He became Chief Engineer.


{{#widget:Google PlusOne
|size=small
|count=true
}}


== References ==
== References ==

Latest revision as of 08:42, 6 March 2021

Great Indian Peninsula Railway

The Bombay-Poona Mail in full flight about 1910
Line of route
Bombay to Raichur (SE Division}
Bombay to Jubbulpore (NE Division))
Bhusawal to Delhi
Bhusawal to Nagpur
Gauge / mileage
Broad gauge 1562 miles (1905)
Timeline
1845 Company formed
1853 First section of line open to traffic
1871 Through trains to Calcutta via Jubbulpore
Dhond-Manmad State Railway absorbed
1900 Line acquired by State
Key locations
Presidency Bombay
Stations Kalyan, Poona, Hotgi, Wadi, Ahmadnagar, Akola, Chanda, Khandwa, Itarsi, Narsinghpur
System agency
Worked by Great Indian Peninsula Railway
How to interpret this infobox
Great Indian Peninsula Railway

Great Indian Peninsula Railway device
System timeline
1900 Company re-formed to work State line
1925 Government takes over working of system
Constituent companies / lines
Great Indian Peninsula Railway
Agra-Delhi Chord Railway
Bhopal-Itarsi Railway
Bhopal-Ujjain Railway
Bina-Goona-Baran Railway
Gwalior Light Railway
1900 Indian Midland Railway
Key locations
Headquarters Bombay
Workshops see also GIPR Railway Workshops
Parel (BG), Bhusawal, Harda, Igatpuri, Lonauli, Jhansi, Jubbulpore, Bhusawal
Major Stations Agra , Ahmadnagar, Akola, Amraoti, Banda, Bhopal, Bhusawal, Bombay , Cawnpore, Chanda, Delhi , Dholpur, Gwalior, Hotgi, Itarsi, Jhansi, Jubbulpore, Khandwa, Muttra, Nagpur, Narsinghpur, Poona, Raichur, Saugor, Wadi

See also heading Stations for major stations marked bold

Successor system / organisation
1951 Central Railway (IR zone)
System mileage
Broad gauge 2988 miles (1905)
3363 miles (1943)
2' 0" NG 183 miles (1905)
202 miles (1943)
Associated auxiliary force
Great Indian Peninsula Railway Regiment
How to interpret this infobox
Map of GIPR in 1870
Great Indian Peninsula Railway Map 1909 – north section
Great Indian Peninsula Railway Map 1909 – south section
See our interactive map of
the North East Division
locations and routes on Google Maps


Like most of the early railways in India, the Great Indian Peninsula Railway (GIPR) was a British company, registered in London, privately owned and financed, operating under licence and guarantee from the (British) Board of Control in India and the East India Company (EIC). The GIPR was India's and Asia's first railway.

The principal economic benefit of the GIPR was the opening up of the interior to Port and City of Bombay. The narrow coastal plain of India's west side is separated from the Deccan plateau by a mountain range, the Western Ghats which rises to 3,900 feet(1200m) and which has always restricted internal communication with the Arabian Sea.

The challenge was to create two lines through the Western Ghats, one to the north-east and one to the south-east, these were fully open by 1865 in time for cotton from the Deccan to be exported from Bombay to Manchester thus filling the trade gap created by the American Civil War. The lines were exteded to link Bombay to Calcutta and Madras by 1870.

History

  • 1845. Registered as a company in 1845, with its head office in London, the ‘Great Indian Peninsula initially proposed a length of 1300 miles, to connect Bombay with the interior of the Indian peninsula and to a major port on the east coast. It was meant for the purpose of increasing the export of cotton, silk, opium, sugar and spices. The Announcement of company formation gave the listing of the ‘Committee of Management ‘ [1]. One of these being Robert Stephenson, London based Consulting Engineer, he remained in this capacity until 1859
  • 1847. Stephenson reported preliminary findings to the directors, although he cannot have been in a position to provide more than general advice and a reviews of the material gathered by the surveys This concluded that the best method to climb 1800 feet over the Ghat mountains in just 15 miles was to use locomotives assisted by ropes worked by a stationary engine [2].
  • 1847-48. The subsequent recession removed the financial incentive for railways in India but the GIPR scheme continued but only through the involvement of the ’East India Company’ which guaranteed a minimum of 5% dividend , however only a 35 mile route between Bombay and Kalyan was authorised [2].
  • 1849. At the urging of the Governor, Lord Dalhousie, the East Indian Company(EIC) sanctioned the construction of a broad gauge(BG) railway eastward from Bombay and the ‘Great Indian Peninsula Railway Company ‘ was incorporated on August 1, 1849 by an act of the British Parliament. It had a share capital of 50,000 pounds. On August 17, 1849 it entered into a formal contract with the EIC for the construction and operation of an experimental line, 35 miles(56 km) long. The Court of Directors of the EIC appointed James John Berkley as Chief Resident Engineer and Charles Buchanan Ker and Robert W Graham as his assistants [3].
  • 1850. Stephenson provided the directors with cost estimates and recommended James John Berkley as Chief Engineer to supervise the building of the line. The Court of Directors of the East India Company appointed James John Berkeley as Chief Resident Engineer with Charles Buchanan Ker and Robert W Graham as his assistants [3]
  • 1850. A Tender was submitted for the first railway contract in Western India, from Bombay to Tanna, by William Frederick Faviell and Henry Fowler. The Tender was accepted by the ‘Great Indian Peninsula Railway Company’[4].
  • 1851-53. Faviell and Fowler actively prosecuted the work, Fowler’s health failed after a few months’ exposure to the climate of India, and compelled his return to England. The execution of the contract then devolved entirely upon Faviell, and was completed to the satisfaction of the Company, the line being opened for traffic on the 16th April, 1853. That was the first line of railway opened for public traffic in India, and in its construction the first locomotive engine used in Asia was introduced on the 23rd February, 1852, for ballasting the line near Bombay [4].
  • 1859. George Berkley succeeded Robert Stephenson as GIPR Consultant Engineer based in London. Previously Assistant and had been liaising with his brother James John Berkley, Chief Resident Engineer.
  • 1859, GIPR was tasked with "the construction and working of the following lines, all of which terminate at Bombay, - viz. from Bombay, via Callian, to Jubbulpore, to meet the East Indian Railway Company's line from Allahabad, with branches to Mahim and Nagpore - 870 miles; and from Callian, via Poonah and Sholapore, to the opposite side of the river Kristna, to meet the line, via Bellary, from Madras - 366 miles - total, 1,236 miles. Capital 10,000,000ll. Rate of Interest Guaranteed - 5 per cent. on 8,000,000l. capital, and 4½ per cent. on 333,000l. debentures, the balance to be raised upon arrangements to be hereafter made." [5] [6].

Bombay - Callian - 33.5 miles(54km)

  • 1850-51, the first sod was turned on 31 October 1850 and the first locomotive was used in construction on 22 December 1851
  • 1853 April 16. A train, with 14 railway carriages and 400 guests, left Bombay bound for Thane, hauled by three locomotives: Sindh, Sultan, and Sahib. The 21 mile(34km) journey took an hour and fifteen minutes, it was the first section of the GIPR to be opened and the first railway for passenger service in India.
  • 1853-54, the continuation of the line from Thane to Callian (later named Kalyan) was the first contact awarded to Messrs. Wythes and Jackson [7]. This section of the line involved a railway bridge over the Thane creek and the two-line Tannah Viaduct over the estuary and two tunnels. This viaduct was the first substantial railway bridge to be constructed in India and connected Bombay Island to the mainland and opened and on 1 May 1854.

North-East Line - Bombay via Callian and Thal Ghat to Jubbulpore - 615 miles(990km)

The GIPR Chief Engineer James John Berkley's proposal was to form a grand trunk communication by the north-eastern mainline between Bombay and Calcutta,

South-East Line - Callian via Bhor Ghat and Poona to meet the Madras Railway - 409 miles(658km)

  • 1856 May, the line was extended to the villages of Palasdhari(Padusdhurree) and to Khopoli(Campoolie) [12] at the approach to the Bhor Ghat. The
  • 1856-63. The Bhore Ghat Railway Construction was a major engineering challenge to take the GIPR mainline across the Western Ghats towards Madras. The construction with GIPR Chief Engineer James John Berkley in charge involved an incline length of 15 miles(24km), 26 tunnels (totalling 2.25 miles(3.6km) in length), and 8 viaducts of masonry construction.
  • 1858, the line from Khandala to Poona section was opened to traffic [12] , this section included the Dapoorie Viaduct
  • 1858-63, during this period, the 21 km gap to Khandala was covered by palanquin, pony or cart through the village of Campoolie [12].
  • 1863, Bhor Ghat completed the mainline was through to Poona(now called Pune) and Sholapore(Solapur).
  • 1870, the Kisna Viaduct was opened and Raichur was reached in May 1871 [13] where it joined the Madras Railway to link to Madras [3].

GIPR Development from 1870

With the completion of the GIPR mainlines the three Presidency Capitals of Bombay, Madras and Calcutta were linked. The length of the route opened was then 1483 miles(2388 km) [3].

The GIPR continued to expand its network with the addition of 'Branch Lines', certain railways being ‘Absorbed’ and 'Working Agreements' on other railways - See separate page - GIPR Lines Owned and Worked

GIPR Bridges and Constructions

The physical difficulties which had to be overcome are The great physical difficulties which occur in the course of the GIPR are the mountains which separate Bombay from the Deccan, the ascent of which involves works of extraordinary magnitude and interest.
See separate page Great Indian Peninsula Railway Bridges and Constructions for details.

Stations

Bombay's Victoria Terminus was both the principal station and GIPR's HQ; designed by architect Frederick William Stevens. Victoria Terminus Construction commenced in 1878, it opened on Queen Victoria's 1887 Golden Jubilee and completed in 1888.

Victoria Terminus, GIPR, Bombay

See separate pages for details of the Stations and Rail System into the following major Cities:-

Bombay Dock Railways

The GIPR had a collection of sidings spurring off to the docks in the east Bombay. There were numerous spurs to:

  • Victoria Dock 1891
  • Princes Dock 1888
  • Carnac Basin
  • Malet Basin
  • Frere Basin
  • Clerk Basin

Great Indian Peninsula Railway - Lines owned and worked

The GIPR operated an extensive network of railways of broad gauge(BG). In 1905 the route mileage was 1562 miles(2514km) and by 1918 was 2553 miles(4109km) divided into three sections ‘North East Division’, ‘South East Division’ and ‘Midland Division’ and their associated branches.

The GIPR also managed, worked and maintained a number of lines on behalf of other parties.

See seperate page Great Indian Peninsula Railway - Lines owned and worked

Later Development

Indian Railways (IR), Central Railway Zone (CR) was formed on 5 November 1951 by grouping several government-owned railways, including the ‘Great Indian Peninsula Railway’

Records

An on-line search of the India Office Records (IOR) records relating to this railway [14] gives 136 references. The most important being:-

  • L /AG/46/12 “Records of the Great Indian Peninsula Railway Company; 1845-1926”
  • L/AG/46/12A “Records of the Great Indian Peninsula Extension Railway Company; 1863-1869”

Personnel

Great Indian Peninsula Railway Personnel gives details of GIPR staff from several other sources:-

  • Grace's Guide[15]
  • Wikipedia and many other sources.

IOR Records The following India Office Records (IOR) are relevant :-

  • L/AG/46/12/86 : GIPR Lists of appointments (officers 1849-1885; workmen 1852-1880)
  • L/AG/46/12/88 : GIPR Contracts of employment (officers 1886-1925; workmen 1881-1925)
  • Z/L/AG/46  : Index to UK Appointments to Indian Railways (1849-1925)
  • Mss Eur D1184/14 : Letters to Arthur A West from G L Clowser Nov 1860-Nov

FIBIS Resources

External links

Historical photographs online

  • Hawkes collection of Indian Railway Photographs (Y3022S) Royal Commonwealth Society Library/ University of Cambridge Digital Library. The description states "An album containing albumen prints of various sizes by R. Phillips of Darjeeling, Samuel Bourne and others. The name of F.A. Hawkes, who was an engineer... appears frequently in it".
Once inside the digital file, click on Contents for image titles. includes photographs whose titles include GIPR 1868-1869.

Historical books online


References

  1. ↑ Grace's Guide " GIPR 1945 Company Registration Retrieved on 5 May 2020
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Google Books “Robert Stephenson – The Eminent Engineer” edited by Michael R. Bailey; page 155-57 Retrieved on 5 May 2020
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Grace's Gide "Great Indian Peninsula Railway which quotes from 'Morning Post' - Saturday 18 August 1849""; Retrieved on 5 May 2020
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 'Grace's Guide' - "William Frederick Faviell" Retrieved on 5 May 2020
  5. ↑ "Money Market and City Intelligence", The Times, Wednesday, 15 June 1859, #23333, 7a.
  6. ↑ H.M. Government “Statute Law Repeals: Nineteenth Report : Draft Statute Law (Repeals) Bill; April 2012"; pages 128-130 paragraphs 3.57 - 3.64 Retrieved on 3 Jul 2016
  7. ↑ Grace's Guide "Wythes and Jackson"; Retrieved 6 Jul 2016
  8. ↑ Graces Guide "Great Indian Peninsula Railway - 1865"; Retrieved 3 Jul 2016
  9. ↑ Google Books "Paper on the (GIPR) Thul Ghaut Railway" incline delivered to the Bombay Mechancs Institution in December 1860 by the GIPR Chief Engineer James John Berkley, page 20. Retrieved on 2 Jul 2016
  10. ↑ " Administration Report on the Railways in India – corrected up to 31st March 1918"; Superintendent of Government Printing, Calcutta; pages 64-68, pdf pages 73-77; Retrieved 6 Jun 2016
  11. ↑ The Statesman, New Delhi "The opening of the Mumbai to Kolkata railway by Michael Sandford, May 9 2016; Retrieved 3 Jul 2016
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Wikipedia “Great Indian Peninsula Railway”; Retrieved 25 June 2016
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 " Administration Report on the Railways in India – corrected up to 31st March 1918"; Superintendent of Government Printing, Calcutta; pages 64-68, pdf pages 73-77; Retrieved 23 Jul 2016
  14. ↑ British Library “British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue” - Search; Retrieved 22 Jan 2016
  15. ↑ “Grace’s Guide”; Retrieved 3 Jul 2016
Retrieved from "https://wiki.fibis.org/index.php?title=Great_Indian_Peninsula_Railway&oldid=85676"