Thal Ghat Railway Construction: Difference between revisions

From FIBIwiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
PEA-2292 (talk | contribs)
Records section source link to IOR and text changes, headings created etc
PEA-2292 (talk | contribs)
Spelling of Berkley corrected nwith new link
 
(4 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
'''Thal Ghat Railway Construction'''  
The '''Thal Ghat Railway Incline''' section through the Western Ghats was a major challenge to extend  the north-eastern mainline of the  [[Great Indian Peninsula Railway]](GIPR)  towards [[Jubbulpore]]. The section finally opened in 1865.


==Spelling==
==Background==
*'''Thal Ghat''' is the spelling used in “The Imperial Gazetteer of India”<ref>http://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V03_431.gif  “The Imperial Gazetteer of India,1909” ]; Retrieved on 14  Apr 2016</ref>, 1909 which we use as the definitive spelling. It is also used as the primary spelling in Wikipedia<ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kasara_ghat  Wikipedia “Kasara Ghat ” ]; Retrieved on  14  Apr 2016</ref> along with the modern name Kasara Ghat as the mountain incline or slope near the town of Kasara in Maharashtra.
The GIPR mainline from [[Callian]] (later named [[Kalyan]]) to [[Kasara]] had opened in 1861 <ref>[http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Great_Indian_Peninsula_Railway Graces Guide "Great Indian Peninsula Railway - 1865"]; Retrieved 2 Jul 2016</ref> covering a length of 42 miles/68 km) and rising to an altitude of 948 feet/289 m) above sea level at [[Kasara]].  


The next section to cross the Thal Ghat from [[Kasara]] to [[Igatpuri]] was 9.5 miles/15 km) and within that distance the had to rise to 1,918 feet/585 m); the gradient in the section being 1:37 <ref name=name>[http://mikes.railhistory.railfan.net/r019.html Mike's Rail History "Hill Lines of India - Construction and Operation of Some Steeply Graded Routes"]; Retrieved 2 Jul 2016</ref>. The line negotiates this steep incline with the help of curves and required the construction of a number of bridges, the [[Ehagaon Viaduct]] and tunnels.
The objective was to take the GIPR mainline to [[Jubbulpore]] to link to the [[East Indian Railway]]. This was acheived in 1870 with the inaugeration of the [[Alfred Viaduct]].
'''Spelling'''
*'''Thal Ghat''' is the spelling used in “The Imperial Gazetteer of India”<ref>[http://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V03_431.gif  “The Imperial Gazetteer of India,1909” ]; Retrieved on 2 Jul 2016</ref>, 1909 which we use as the definitive spelling. It is also used as the primary spelling in Wikipedia<ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kasara_ghat  Wikipedia “Kasara Ghat ” ]; Retrieved on  14  Apr 2016</ref> along with the modern name Kasara Ghat as the mountain incline or slope near the town of Kasara in Maharashtra.
*'''Thull Ghat''' is the name used in the [[India Office Records]]  1853-56 documents, “Grace’s Guide” and in books of the time of construction.  
*'''Thull Ghat''' is the name used in the [[India Office Records]]  1853-56 documents, “Grace’s Guide” and in books of the time of construction.  
*'''Thul Ghat''' is used in one IOR record and occasionally in other references. The variant '''Thul Ghaut''' is used in the [[James John Berkley]], GIPR Chief Engineer's 1860 Paper on the construction <ref name=Berkley>[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]].] Retrieved on 2 Jul 2016</ref>.


*'''Thul Ghat''' is used in one IOR record and occasionally in other references.
==History==
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]], and the north-west <ref>[http://www.irfca.org/articles/eminent-railwaymen.html#berkeley “Eminent Railwaymen of Yesteryears” by R R Bhandari July 2008, reproduced by IRFCA ''Indian Railways Fan Club''] Retrieved on 2 Jul 2016</ref>, he also proposed a  south-eastern line between [[Bombay]] and [[Madras]], including also an important line to [[Nagpore]].
*1851, Berkley first inspected the Thal Ghat 'to determine what extent of survey would be required. BerKley's Paper #p.11
*1852, initial survey to 'obtain a practical line' undertaken. #p.13-14
*1853-56, a series of surveys and propsals were put forward, see 'Records' below
*1856 Jan, the Thal Ghat section was sanctioned by the Indian government. #p.20.
*1857 Aug, Contract let to [[Messrs Wythes and Jackson]] 'in the meantime we ''(GIPR engineers)'' had been staking out the incline'. #p.20
*The route of the incline is fully described, together with gradients, location of the  13 tunnels (aggregate length 2652 yards/2425m; 6 viaducts, including the [[Ehagaon Viaduct]]; cuttings; embankments; 15 bridges and culverts, #p.22-23 and the Reversing Station. #p.27-28
*1865, the Thal Ghat section was finally opened to traffic. [[Messrs Wythes and Jackson]] continued the construction on to [[Bhusawal]]<ref>[http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Wythes_and_Jackson Grace's Guide "Wythes and Jackson"] Retrieved on 2 Jul 2016</ref>


==History==
==Personnel==
The Thal Ghat Railway Incline was opened on 1865 extending  the south-eastern line of the [[Great Indian Peninsula Railway]](GIPR) through the Western Ghats. The [[Bhore Ghat Railway Construction]]  having been completed in 1863. The steep Thal Ghat section up to Igatpuri was opened and completed the crossing of the Sahyadri hills of the Western Ghats.
The following from the Engineering Department of the GIPR are mentioned 'who have taken part in our operations' #p.28 ''Note - just the surname is given in the text; we have added the full name where we have been able to identify the engineer.''
The south-east main line proceeded over Bhore Ghat to [[Poona]], [[Sholapur]] and [[Raichur]], where it joined the Madras Railway
*[[Charles Buchanan Ker]], [[Robert W Graham]], Darke, W J Wright ''(deceased)'', Inglis, Sanderson, Butt, Gale, Winteringham, Dickenson, A A West, Tate, F A Hawkins, Teasdale, Dangerfield, O'Brien, Cameron, Thompson and Pocock.
<ref name=name>[http://mikes.railhistory.railfan.net/r019.html Mike's Rail History "Hill Lines of India - Construction and Operation of Some Steeply Graded Routes"]; Retrieved 14 Dec 2015</ref>
*Consulting Engineers, London - Robert Stevenson 'who created the large professional establishment by which our works are accomplished .. with the able aid of his partner [[George Berkley]], our current Consulting Engineer who adopted and procured those vast supplies of mechanical appliances which the British Islands have contributed' #p.29
<ref>[http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Great_Indian_Peninsula_Railway Graces Guide "Great Indian Peninsula Railway - 1865"]; Retrieved 14 Dec 2015</ref>


==Realighnment==
==Realighnment 1916==
The report states<ref>[http://dspace.gipe.ac.in/xmlui/bitstream/handle/10973/18185/GIPE-015962.pdf?sequence=3&isAllowed=y “Administration Report on the Railways in India 1916” page 19]; Retrieved 14 Apr 2016</ref>
The 1916 report states<ref>[http://dspace.gipe.ac.in/xmlui/bitstream/handle/10973/18185/GIPE-015962.pdf?sequence=3&isAllowed=y “Administration Report on the Railways in India 1916” page 19]; Retrieved 2 Jul 2016</ref>
“The Thal Ghat realigned section was brought into use on the 2nd January 1917” by the Great Indian Peninsula Railway (GIPR)  “The new alignment is two miles long and is on a grade of 1 in 37, the ruling gradient on the Ghat. It shortens the distance by about 1.5 miles; but its chief value lies in eliminating the reversing station previously in use which was a great handicap to the expeditious handling of traffic. Under old conditions, trains had to be worked in sections and much time was lost in breaking up and remaking trains, further delay being caused at the reversing stations by the reversing of engines. Trains of a length of 850 feet are already in use on the realigned section and it is expected that trains of 1,500 feet and 1,800 feet long will be running shortly. The new alignment has a single tunnel in place of three on the old line.
“The Thal Ghat realigned section was brought into use on the 2nd January 1917” by the Great Indian Peninsula Railway (GIPR)  “The new alignment is two miles long and is on a grade of 1 in 37, the ruling gradient on the Ghat. It shortens the distance by about 1.5 miles; but its chief value lies in eliminating the reversing station previously in use which was a great handicap to the expeditious handling of traffic. Under old conditions, trains had to be worked in sections and much time was lost in breaking up and remaking trains, further delay being caused at the reversing stations by the reversing of engines. Trains of a length of 850 feet are already in use on the realigned section and it is expected that trains of 1,500 feet and 1,800 feet long will be running shortly. The new alignment has a single tunnel in place of three on the old line.
<ref>[http://dspace.gipe.ac.in/xmlui/bitstream/handle/10973/18185/GIPE-015962.pdf?sequence=3&isAllowed=y “Administration Report on the Railways in India 1916” page 19]; Retrieved 14 Apr 2016</ref>


==Upgrading==
==Upgrading 1930==
Even the elimination of the reversing station was insufficient to enable this slow-speed section of line to cope successfully with the heavy traffic it had to carry while steam traction was used, and in 1930 the Thal Ghat section was converted to electric operation.<ref name=name/>  
Even the elimination of the reversing station was insufficient to enable this slow-speed section of line to cope successfully with the heavy traffic it had to carry while steam traction was used, and in 1930 the Thal Ghat section was converted to electric operation<ref name=name/>.


==Records==
==Records==
An on-line search of the [[India Office Records]] (IOR) records held at the [[British Library]] relating to this railway <ref>[http://searcharchives.bl.uk/primo_library/libweb/action/search.do?vid=IAMS_VU2  “British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue”  - Search];  Retrieved  3 Apr 2016</ref>
An on-line search of the [[India Office Records]] (IOR) records held at the [[British Library]] relating to this railway <ref>[http://searcharchives.bl.uk/primo_library/libweb/action/search.do?vid=IAMS_VU2  “British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue”  - Search];  Retrieved  2 July 2016</ref>
gives several entries, the most relevant as follows: -
gives several entries, the most relevant as follows: -
*Thull Ghat ''(note spelling)''
Thull Ghat  
**Z/E/4/24/T256; “Thull Ghat, question respecting construction of railway from Bombay to Kandeish through; 1853-54
*Z/E/4/24/T256; “Thull Ghat, question respecting construction of railway from Bombay to Kandeish through; 1853-54
**Z/E/4/27/S549; “Stephenson, Robert, Opinion on railway over Thull Ghat; 1856  
*Z/E/4/27/S549; “Stephenson, Robert, Opinion on railway over Thull Ghat; 1856  
**Z/E/4/27/T218; “Thull Ghat, proposed line from Bombay to Jubbulpore viâ, sanctioned”; 1856  
*Z/E/4/27/T218; “Thull Ghat, proposed line from Bombay to Jubbulpore viâ, sanctioned”; 1856  
*Thul Ghat ''(note spelling)''  
 
**Z/E/4/25/S935 “Surveys, Thul Ghat, Bombay Government referred to Court's despatch regarding”; 1854-55
Thul Ghat,  
*Z/E/4/25/S935 “Surveys, Thul Ghat, Bombay Government referred to Court's despatch regarding”; 1854-55


==Further Information==
==Further Information==

Latest revision as of 14:54, 3 April 2020

The Thal Ghat Railway Incline section through the Western Ghats was a major challenge to extend the north-eastern mainline of the Great Indian Peninsula Railway(GIPR) towards Jubbulpore. The section finally opened in 1865.

Background

The GIPR mainline from Callian (later named Kalyan) to Kasara had opened in 1861 [1] covering a length of 42 miles/68 km) and rising to an altitude of 948 feet/289 m) above sea level at Kasara.

The next section to cross the Thal Ghat from Kasara to Igatpuri was 9.5 miles/15 km) and within that distance the had to rise to 1,918 feet/585 m); the gradient in the section being 1:37 [2]. The line negotiates this steep incline with the help of curves and required the construction of a number of bridges, the Ehagaon Viaduct and tunnels.

The objective was to take the GIPR mainline to Jubbulpore to link to the East Indian Railway. This was acheived in 1870 with the inaugeration of the Alfred Viaduct.

Spelling

  • Thal Ghat is the spelling used in “The Imperial Gazetteer of India”[3], 1909 which we use as the definitive spelling. It is also used as the primary spelling in Wikipedia[4] along with the modern name Kasara Ghat as the mountain incline or slope near the town of Kasara in Maharashtra.
  • Thull Ghat is the name used in the India Office Records 1853-56 documents, “Grace’s Guide” and in books of the time of construction.
  • Thul Ghat is used in one IOR record and occasionally in other references. The variant Thul Ghaut is used in the James John Berkley, GIPR Chief Engineer's 1860 Paper on the construction [5].

History

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, and the north-west [6], he also proposed a south-eastern line between Bombay and Madras, including also an important line to Nagpore.

  • 1851, Berkley first inspected the Thal Ghat 'to determine what extent of survey would be required. BerKley's Paper #p.11
  • 1852, initial survey to 'obtain a practical line' undertaken. #p.13-14
  • 1853-56, a series of surveys and propsals were put forward, see 'Records' below
  • 1856 Jan, the Thal Ghat section was sanctioned by the Indian government. #p.20.
  • 1857 Aug, Contract let to Messrs Wythes and Jackson 'in the meantime we (GIPR engineers) had been staking out the incline'. #p.20
  • The route of the incline is fully described, together with gradients, location of the 13 tunnels (aggregate length 2652 yards/2425m; 6 viaducts, including the Ehagaon Viaduct; cuttings; embankments; 15 bridges and culverts, #p.22-23 and the Reversing Station. #p.27-28
  • 1865, the Thal Ghat section was finally opened to traffic. Messrs Wythes and Jackson continued the construction on to Bhusawal[7]

Personnel

The following from the Engineering Department of the GIPR are mentioned 'who have taken part in our operations' #p.28 Note - just the surname is given in the text; we have added the full name where we have been able to identify the engineer.

  • Charles Buchanan Ker, Robert W Graham, Darke, W J Wright (deceased), Inglis, Sanderson, Butt, Gale, Winteringham, Dickenson, A A West, Tate, F A Hawkins, Teasdale, Dangerfield, O'Brien, Cameron, Thompson and Pocock.
  • Consulting Engineers, London - Robert Stevenson 'who created the large professional establishment by which our works are accomplished .. with the able aid of his partner George Berkley, our current Consulting Engineer who adopted and procured those vast supplies of mechanical appliances which the British Islands have contributed' #p.29

Realighnment 1916

The 1916 report states[8] “The Thal Ghat realigned section was brought into use on the 2nd January 1917” by the Great Indian Peninsula Railway (GIPR) “The new alignment is two miles long and is on a grade of 1 in 37, the ruling gradient on the Ghat. It shortens the distance by about 1.5 miles; but its chief value lies in eliminating the reversing station previously in use which was a great handicap to the expeditious handling of traffic. Under old conditions, trains had to be worked in sections and much time was lost in breaking up and remaking trains, further delay being caused at the reversing stations by the reversing of engines. Trains of a length of 850 feet are already in use on the realigned section and it is expected that trains of 1,500 feet and 1,800 feet long will be running shortly. The new alignment has a single tunnel in place of three on the old line.

Upgrading 1930

Even the elimination of the reversing station was insufficient to enable this slow-speed section of line to cope successfully with the heavy traffic it had to carry while steam traction was used, and in 1930 the Thal Ghat section was converted to electric operation[2].

Records

An on-line search of the India Office Records (IOR) records held at the British Library relating to this railway [9] gives several entries, the most relevant as follows: -

  • Thull Ghat (note spelling)
    • Z/E/4/24/T256; “Thull Ghat, question respecting construction of railway from Bombay to Kandeish through; 1853-54
    • Z/E/4/27/S549; “Stephenson, Robert, Opinion on railway over Thull Ghat; 1856
    • Z/E/4/27/T218; “Thull Ghat, proposed line from Bombay to Jubbulpore viâ, sanctioned”; 1856
  • Thul Ghat (note spelling)
    • Z/E/4/25/S935 “Surveys, Thul Ghat, Bombay Government referred to Court's despatch regarding”; 1854-55

Further Information

See Great Indian Peninsula Railway

References