Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway: Difference between revisions

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In 1852 [[John Pitt Kennedy]] was introduced in London to Lieutenant-Colonel French, who had been Acting Resident at the Court of the Guicowar of Baroda. Colonel French wanted to get up a company to construct a line of railway from [[Baroda]] to [[Tankaria Bunda]], in the gulf of Cambay, a distance of about 45 miles. Colonel Kennedy joined him, but instead of the original line proposed, they projected what became the '''Bombay, Baroda, and Central India railway''' <ref name=grace>[http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/John_Pitt_Kennedy_(1796-1879) Grace's Guide "John Pitt Kennedy"]Retrieved on 21 Apr 2016</ref>.  
In 1852 [[John Pitt Kennedy]] was introduced in London to Lieutenant-Colonel French, who had been Acting Resident at the Court of the Guicowar of Baroda. Colonel French wanted to get up a company to construct a line of railway from [[Baroda]] to [[Tankaria Bunda]], in the gulf of Cambay, a distance of about 45 miles. Colonel Kennedy joined him, but instead of the original line proposed, they projected what became the '''Bombay, Baroda, and Central India railway''' <ref name=grace>[http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/John_Pitt_Kennedy_(1796-1879) Grace's Guide "John Pitt Kennedy"]Retrieved on 21 Apr 2016</ref>.  


Their object was to open the most effectual line from Bombay, through the central and north-western districts, to meet the railway in progress of construction from [[Calcutta]] to [[Delhi]], together with all the branches that such a line could require. Upon the formation of the company, Colonel Kennedy was appointed consulting engineer and managing director. A staff of engineers was sent to Bombay, and during the cold season of 1853, comparative surveys, sufficient to lay a well-digested scheme before the Government, were made <ref name=grace/>.
Their object was to open the most effectual line from Bombay, through the central and north-western districts, to meet the railway in progress of construction from [[Calcutta]] to [[Delhi]], together with all the branches that such a line could require. In 1853 the '''[[Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway]] Company'''(BB&CIR) was formed with Colonel [[John Pitt Kennedy]] appointed as consulting engineer and managing director. A staff of engineers was sent to Bombay, and during the cold season of 1853, comparative surveys, sufficient to lay a well-considered scheme before the Government, were made <ref name=grace/>.


On the 3rd of November, 1854, the Governor-General, Lord Dalhousie, sanctioned [[Broach]], and [[Baroda]], to [[Ahmedabad]], leaving the remainder of the scheme for future decision, and the work to be commenced at [[Bombay]]. The Home Government, however, decided that the work should be commenced at [[Surat]] <ref name=grace/>.
On the 3rd of November, 1854, the Governor-General, Lord Dalhousie, sanctioned the construction of the sections [[Broach]], and [[Baroda]], to [[Ahmedabad]], leaving the remainder of the scheme for future decision, and the work to be commenced at [[Bombay]]. The Home Government, however, decided that the work should be commenced at [[Surat]] <ref name=grace/>. Although on flat country, this. line had to traverse some of the mightiest rivers and water channels in the country including the Narmada River near Baruch.


Construction commenced in 1855 and began work on track from [[Baroda]] to [[Surat]]. By 1865, the [[Bombay]]-[[Surat]]-[[Baroda]]-[[Ahmedabad]] route was complete; in 1867, the Virar -Bombay Backbay suburban service commenced with one train in each direction each day. In 1871, trackage was 300 miles (480km).
Construction commenced in 1855 and began work on track from [[Baroda]] to [[Surat]]. By 1865, the [[Bombay]]-[[Surat]]-[[Baroda]]-[[Ahmedabad]] route was complete; in 1867, the Virar -Bombay Backbay suburban service commenced with one train in each direction each day. In 1871, trackage was 300 miles (480km).
Line 111: Line 111:
In 1951, the BB&CIR (less the Delhi-Rewari-Fazilka and Kanpur-Achnera sections) merged with the Saurashtra, Jaipur State, Jodhpur (Marwar-Phulad section), Rajasthan and Cutch State railways to become the Western Railway, a zone of Indian Railways.
In 1951, the BB&CIR (less the Delhi-Rewari-Fazilka and Kanpur-Achnera sections) merged with the Saurashtra, Jaipur State, Jodhpur (Marwar-Phulad section), Rajasthan and Cutch State railways to become the Western Railway, a zone of Indian Railways.


==Branch Lines and extensions==
==BB&CIR Main line, Branches and Extensions==
*[[Ahmedabad-Dholka Railway]]; opened 1902. A metre gauge branch of BB&CIR.
The BB&CIR owned and operated an extensive network of railways of mixed gauge 
*[[Dholka-Dhandhuka Railway]]; opened 1922 as an extension to the above.
* Broad gauge([[Rail_gauge#Broad_Gauge|BG]]) - 868 miles/1397km (1905); 997 miles/1604km (1918); 1233 miles/1984km (1943)
*[[Ahmedabad-Parantij Railway]]; opened 1897. A metre gauge branch of BB&CIR.
* Metre gauge([[Rail_gauge_#Metre_Gauge|MG]]) - 2022 miles/3254km (1905); 1822 miles/2931km (1918); 1985/3195km miles (1943)
*[[Godhra-Ratlam-Nagda Railway]]; first section opened 1897. A broad gauge(BG) line. Initially worked by, and finally merged into BB&CIR.
* Narrow gauge 2ft 6in([[Rail_gauge#Narrow_Gauge|NG]]) - 132 miles/212km (1905); 326 miles/523km (1918); 152 miles/245km (1943)
*[[Mathura-Hathras Provincial Railway]]; opened 1875. Section of BB&CIR  network


==Railways absorbed into BB&CIR==
In 1918 the total length of line being worked as the BB&CIR system (both owned lines and managed/worked lines) was 3823 miles(6150km) opened plus a further 254 miles(407km) under construction or sanctioned for construction <ref name=Admin>[https://archive.org/stream/BombayBarodaAndCentralIndiaRailwaySystem/Bombay_Baroda_And_Central_India_Railway_System#page/n21/mode/1up “Administration Report on Railways 1918” page 12, pdf page 21]; Retrieved  4 Nov 2016</ref> .
*[[Gujarat Railway Company]] - formed 1911. Owned and managed 3 lines [[Champaner-Shivrajpur- Pani Light Railway]]; [[Godhra-Lunavada Railway]]; [[Nadiad-Kapadvanj Railway]]; all worked by BB&CIR  and taken over 1922
*[[Jaipur State Railway]]. Two State Railway branch lines (Jaipur-Sawai Madhopu, 1907 and Jaipur-Shaikhawati, 1916); worked by BB&CIR and merged 1900 into BB&CIR
*[[Rajputana-Malwa Railway]]; formed from Rajputana State, Holkar, Scindia-Nimach and Neemuch Nasirabad Railways; worked then merged into BB&CIR(qv), 1900


==Lines worked by BB&CIR at some time==
See separate page '''[[Bombay, Baroda & Central India Railway Network - Lines owned and worked]]''' for details.  
*[[Baria State Railway]]; opened 1892. Independent Princely State railway; later renamed Baria-Piplod State Railway, worked by BB&CIR
 
*[[Bilimora-Kalamba State Railway]]; opened  1914-15. State line worked by BB&CIR 
==Lines worked by BB&CIR==
*[[Bodeli-Chhota Udaipur Railway]]; opened  1917-18. State lineworked by BB&CIR
The BB&CIR also managed, worked and maintained a number of mixed gauge lines on behalf of other parties.
*[[Broach-Jambusar Railway]]; opened 1914-15
* Broad gauge([[Rail_gauge#Broad_Gauge|BG]]) - 1918 Total 202 miles(325km) <ref name=Admin/>.   
*[[Gaekwar's Baroda State Railway]] (GBSR); Narrow Gauge network expanded from 1863 to 1929; initially worked by BB&CIR until 1924 own agency.
* Metre gauge([[Rail_gauge_#Metre_Gauge|MG]]) - 1918 Total 456 miles(733km) <ref name=Admin/>.   
*[[Gaekwar's Mehsana Railway]]; opened  1891; initially worked by BB&CIR; from 1921 by GBSR
* Narrow gauge 2ft 6in([[Rail_gauge#Narrow_Gauge|NG]]) - 1918 Total 326 miles(523km) <ref name=Admin/>.  
*[[Gaekwar's Petlad Railway]]; opened 1890. Initially worked by BB&CIR; later by GBSR
 
*[[Kosamba-Zankhvav Railway]]; opened  1912. Constructed and worked by GBSR and later BB&CIR
See separate page '''[[Bombay, Baroda & Central India Railway Network - Lines owned and worked]]''' for details.  
*[[Mehsana-Vadnager Railway]]; opened  1907. Worked by BB&CIR
*[[Nagda-Mathura(Muttra) Railway]]; opened  1909. State line, worked by BB&CIR
*[[Nagda-Ujjain Railway]]; opened  1896. State line, worked by BB&CIR
*[[Palanpur-Deesa  Railway]]; opened  1878>. Construction commenced 1878; worked by BB&CIR
*[[Patri Railway]]; opened 1873. Worked by BB&CIR
*[[Petlad-Cambay Railway]];  In  service 1901, worked by BB&CIR
*[[Petlad-Vaso Railway]]; opened  1914-15. State line, worked by BB&CIR
*[[Piplod-Devgad-Baria Railway]]; opened  c.1892. Independant Princely State Rly; later extended as Baria State Railway(qv), worked by BB&CIR
*[[Rajpipla State Railway]]; Princely State Railways  ([[Anklesvar -Rajpipla Railway]], 1897; [[Jhagadia-Netrand Railway]]> 1915) worked by BB&CIR
*[[Ratlam-Nagda Railway]]; opened  1896. Extension to [[Tapti Valley Railway]]; worked by BB&CIR
*[[Rewari-Ferozepore Railway]] ; Under construction 1882, worked by BB&CIR
*[[Tarapur-Cambay State Railway]]; opened  <1908. Branch line worked by BB&CIR
*[[Tapti Valley Railway]]; Company formed 1896; opened 1898; worked by BB&CIR from 1899. Extended 1901, and named [[Surat-Amalner Railway]].
*[[Vijapur-Kalol-Kadi Railway]]; opened 1902; owned by Baroda State; worked by BB&CIR


==Records==
==Records==

Revision as of 14:16, 4 November 2016

Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway

Churchgate Terminus & Offices, BBCIR, Bombay
Line of route
Bombay to Viramgam
Gauge / mileage
Broad gauge 504 miles (1905)
Timeline
1855 Formed as Guaranteed company
1905 Line acquired by State
Key locations
Presidency Bombay
Stations Ahmedabad, Baroda, Broach, Surat
System agency
1906 Worked by reformed BBCIR
How to interpret this infobox
Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway

Bombay, Baroda & Central India Railway device
System timeline
1906 BBCIR contracted to work State line
1942 Working of system taken over by State
Constituent companies / lines
Ahmedabad-Dholka Railway
Ahmedabad-Parantij Railway
Gaekwar's Dabhoi Railway
Gaekwar's Mehsana Railway
Godhra-Rutlam-Nagda Railway
Nagda-Ujjain Railway
Palanpur-Deesa Railway
Petlad-Cambay Railway
Rajpipla Railway
Rajputana-Malwa Railway
Tapti Valley Railway
Vijapur-Kalol-Kadi Railway
Key locations
Headquarters Bombay (BG), Ajmer (MG)
Workshops Parel (BG), Ajmer (MG)
Major Stations Agra, Ajmer, Ahmedabad, Baroda, Cawnpore, Delhi, Indore, Jaipur, Rutlam, Surat
Successor system / organisation
1951 Western Railway (IR zone)
System mileage
Broad gauge 868 miles (1905)
1233 miles (1943)
Metre gauge 2022 miles (1905)
1985 miles (1943)
2'6" NG 132 miles (1905)
152 miles (1943)
Associated auxiliary force
Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway Regiment
How to interpret this infobox
Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway Map 1909 – north/east section
Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway Map 1909 – south/west section

The Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway Company (BB&CIR) was incorporated in 1855 for "the construction and working of a line from Bombay, via Surat and Baroda, to Ahmedabad - total about 320 miles. Capital 2,300,000l. Rate of Interest Guaranteed - 5 per cent on 2,000,000l. capital and 4½ per cent . on 300,000l. debentures." [1]

History

In 1852 John Pitt Kennedy was introduced in London to Lieutenant-Colonel French, who had been Acting Resident at the Court of the Guicowar of Baroda. Colonel French wanted to get up a company to construct a line of railway from Baroda to Tankaria Bunda, in the gulf of Cambay, a distance of about 45 miles. Colonel Kennedy joined him, but instead of the original line proposed, they projected what became the Bombay, Baroda, and Central India railway [2].

Their object was to open the most effectual line from Bombay, through the central and north-western districts, to meet the railway in progress of construction from Calcutta to Delhi, together with all the branches that such a line could require. In 1853 the Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway Company(BB&CIR) was formed with Colonel John Pitt Kennedy appointed as consulting engineer and managing director. A staff of engineers was sent to Bombay, and during the cold season of 1853, comparative surveys, sufficient to lay a well-considered scheme before the Government, were made [2].

On the 3rd of November, 1854, the Governor-General, Lord Dalhousie, sanctioned the construction of the sections Broach, and Baroda, to Ahmedabad, leaving the remainder of the scheme for future decision, and the work to be commenced at Bombay. The Home Government, however, decided that the work should be commenced at Surat [2]. Although on flat country, this. line had to traverse some of the mightiest rivers and water channels in the country including the Narmada River near Baruch.

Construction commenced in 1855 and began work on track from Baroda to Surat. By 1865, the Bombay-Surat-Baroda-Ahmedabad route was complete; in 1867, the Virar -Bombay Backbay suburban service commenced with one train in each direction each day. In 1871, trackage was 300 miles (480km).

On 31 December 1905, ownership of the BB&CIR passed to the Government of India GoI and a new company formed to manage the BB&CIR under a contract agreed in 1907 and revised in 1913. [3] [4]

Management of the BB&CIR passed to the GoI on 1 January 1942.

In 1951, the BB&CIR (less the Delhi-Rewari-Fazilka and Kanpur-Achnera sections) merged with the Saurashtra, Jaipur State, Jodhpur (Marwar-Phulad section), Rajasthan and Cutch State railways to become the Western Railway, a zone of Indian Railways.

BB&CIR Main line, Branches and Extensions

The BB&CIR owned and operated an extensive network of railways of mixed gauge

  • Broad gauge(BG) - 868 miles/1397km (1905); 997 miles/1604km (1918); 1233 miles/1984km (1943)
  • Metre gauge(MG) - 2022 miles/3254km (1905); 1822 miles/2931km (1918); 1985/3195km miles (1943)
  • Narrow gauge 2ft 6in(NG) - 132 miles/212km (1905); 326 miles/523km (1918); 152 miles/245km (1943)

In 1918 the total length of line being worked as the BB&CIR system (both owned lines and managed/worked lines) was 3823 miles(6150km) opened plus a further 254 miles(407km) under construction or sanctioned for construction [5] .

See separate page Bombay, Baroda & Central India Railway Network - Lines owned and worked for details.

Lines worked by BB&CIR

The BB&CIR also managed, worked and maintained a number of mixed gauge lines on behalf of other parties.

  • Broad gauge(BG) - 1918 Total 202 miles(325km) [5].
  • Metre gauge(MG) - 1918 Total 456 miles(733km) [5].
  • Narrow gauge 2ft 6in(NG) - 1918 Total 326 miles(523km) [5].

See separate page Bombay, Baroda & Central India Railway Network - Lines owned and worked for details.

Records

Refer to FIBIS Fact File #4: “Research sources for Indian Railways, 1845-1947” - available from the 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 [6] gives a large number of references. The most important being:-

  • L /AG/46/6 “Records of the Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway Company; 1856-1947”

Personnel Records

Unfortunately, there are no BB&CIR staff records held in the India Office Records at the British Library.

The only records that have been found :-

  • E Sydney Luard was the Chief Locomotive, Carriage and Wagon Superintendent for BB&CIR, Bombay Control of Locomotive and Carriage Department, BB&CIR; redesigned and rebuilt those workshops; redesigned the rolling stock [7]. In 1892 represented BB&CIR at the Indian Railway Conference Association, Lahore. 'Locomotive Superintendents Conference' [8].
  • James Robert Tickell was posted from State Railways to BB&CIR , from 1885 on loan as Assistant Engineer; Executive Engineer, 1893 and still in post 1905 [9].
  • Frederick James Page,1909, BB&CIR, Assistant Locomotive Superintendent. He held various responsible positions with BB&CIR for nearly twenty-five years, and was concerned with the electrification of the Bombay suburban lines [10].

Stations

Bombay

  • Grant Road
  • Marine Lines
  • Church Gate
  • Kolaba

Historical books online

Bombay Baroda Central India Railway Company 1921 Pdf download, Digital Library of India

References

  1. ↑ "Money Market and City Intelligence", The Times, Wednesday, 15 June 1859, #23333, 7a.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Grace's Guide "John Pitt Kennedy"Retrieved on 21 Apr 2016
  3. ↑ " Administration Report on the Railways in India – corrected up to 31st March 1918"; Superintendent of Government Printing, Calcutta; page 12-22; Retrieved 17 Dec 2015
  4. ↑ H.M. Government “Statute Law Repeals: Nineteenth Report : Draft Statute Law (Repeals) Bill; April 2012"; page 118-120, paragraph 3.18-3.25 Retrieved on 2 January 2016
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 “Administration Report on Railways 1918” page 12, pdf page 21; Retrieved 4 Nov 2016
  6. ↑ “British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue” - Search"; Retrieved 21 Jan 2016
  7. ↑ Grace's Guide "Who's Who in Engineering 1922 Name L"; Retrieved 26 Jul 2016
  8. ↑ The Locomotive Magazine and Railway Carriage and Wagon Review "Indian locomotive superintendents of the nineties", Volume 31, Number 393, 15 May 1925, page 133+ plate; Retrieved 26 Jul 2016
  9. ↑ Google Books "India List and India Office List, 1905" page 630 (pdf page 593) Retrieved on 18 Jul 2016
  10. ↑ Grace's Guide "Frederick James Page"; Retrieved on 18 Jul 2016

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