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The '''Indian Branch Railway Company ''' (IBR) was formed on 21 Dec 1863 <ref name=martin>[http://www.oldmartiniansassociation.co.uk/documents/OudhandRohilkandRly.pdf Old Martinian Association “Oudh and Rohilkhand Railway”"]; Retrieved 2 Sept 2016</ref> to construct short branches and feeder lines in northern India, with a 20-year subsidy from the Government of India([[Government of India |GoI]]) but no guarantee <ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Branch_Railway_Company Wikipedia “Indian Branch Railway Company”]; Retrieved 5 Mar 2017</ref>.  
The '''Indian Branch Railway Company ''' (IBR) was formed in 1862 <ref>[https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Indian_Branch_Railway Grace’s Guide ‘Indian Branch Railway’ ]; Retrieved 23 Jun 2018</ref> to construct short branches and feeder lines in northern India, with a 20-year subsidy from the Government of India([[Government of India |GoI]]) but no guarantee <ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Branch_Railway_Company Wikipedia “Indian Branch Railway Company”]; Retrieved 5 Mar 2017</ref>.  


These terms failed to attract capital, and only one line had been constructed, the [[ Nalhati-Azimganj Railway]], which opened in 1863. Therefore in 1867 a contract was entered into with the '''Indian Branch Railway Company''', which soon after changed its name to the '''Awadh and Rohilkhand Railway Company''', guaranteeing interest  at 5 per cent per annum on conditions similar to those laid down for the period 1854-60 <ref>[https://books.google.fr/books?id=LxKUSZkEyoIC&pg=PA30&lpg=PA30&dq=Awadh-Rohilkhand+Railway&source=bl&ots=l2oJc_x4cs&sig=MDMBAbFDHQIOdhypeJ8llQZAzSo&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiQ6fyOnr_SAhWqDMAKHViUCdQQ6AEIQDAI#v=onepage&q=Awadh-Rohilkhand%20Railway&f=false Google Books "Readings in Indian Railway Finance" page 30 edited by K. B. Verma]; Retrieved 5 Mar 2017</ref>.  
These terms failed to attract capital, and only one line had been constructed, the [[ Nalhati-Azimganj Railway]], which opened in 1863. Therefore in 1867 a contract was entered into with the '''Indian Branch Railway Company''', which soon after changed its name to the '''Awadh and Rohilkhand Railway Company''', guaranteeing interest  at 5 per cent per annum on conditions similar to those laid down for the period 1854-60 <ref>[https://books.google.fr/books?id=LxKUSZkEyoIC&pg=PA30&lpg=PA30&dq=Awadh-Rohilkhand+Railway&source=bl&ots=l2oJc_x4cs&sig=MDMBAbFDHQIOdhypeJ8llQZAzSo&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiQ6fyOnr_SAhWqDMAKHViUCdQQ6AEIQDAI#v=onepage&q=Awadh-Rohilkhand%20Railway&f=false Google Books "Readings in Indian Railway Finance" page 30 edited by K. B. Verma]; Retrieved 5 Mar 2017</ref>.  


Around 1872 the Indian Branch Railway/Awadh and Rohilkhand Railway was absorbed into the '''[[Oudh and Rohilkhand Railway]]'''(O&RR).  
Around 1872 the ‘Indian Branch Railway’/‘Awadh and Rohilkhand Railway’ was absorbed into the '''[[Oudh and Rohilkhand Railway]]'''(O&RR).  


== History ==
==Nalhati-Azimganj Railway==
*[[ Nalhati-Azimganj Railway]], opened in 1863 as a 4ft(1222mm) [[Rail_gauge_#4 foot Gauge|unique rail gauge]], constructed and worked by the  [[Indian Branch Railway]]. The line was taken over by the Government in 1872, and by named as the [[Nalhati State Railway]]; converted to BG in 1892 and becoming the ‘Azimganj Branch Line’ of the [[First Chord EIR Line]] ; 27 miles(43km) <ref>[https://archive.org/stream/BombayBarodaAndCentralIndiaRailwaySystem/Bombay_Baroda_And_Central_India_Railway_System#page/n61/mode/1up “Administration Report on Railways 1918” pages 53-56 (pdf 62-65]; Retrieved  5 Mar 2017</ref>
The ‘[[Nalhati-Azimganj Railway]]’, opened in 1863 as a 4ft(1222mm) [[Rail_gauge_#4 foot Gauge|unique rail gauge]], constructed and worked by the  ‘Indian Branch Railway Company’. The line was taken over by the Government in 1872, and by named as the [[Nalhati State Railway]]; converted to Broad Gauge([[Rail_gauge#Broad_Gauge|BG]]) in 1892 and becoming the ‘Azimganj Branch Line’ of the [[First Chord EIR Line]] ; 27 miles(43km) <ref>[https://archive.org/stream/BombayBarodaAndCentralIndiaRailwaySystem/Bombay_Baroda_And_Central_India_Railway_System#page/n61/mode/1up “Administration Report on Railways 1918” pages 53-56 (pdf 62-65]; Retrieved  5 Mar 2017</ref> - [[Nalhati State Railway|''See separate page for further information'']]


The Cawnpore-Fyzabad Railway project had began in 1862 by IBR and an engineer examined the proposed line from [[Cawnpore]] to Fyzabad <ref name=Mukher>[https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Pictorial_Lucknow.html?id=7RCe2E5ch80C&redir_esc=y Google Books “The Pictorial Lucknow” by  P. C. Mukherji, pages 81-82. First published Lucknow 1883, reprinted by AES New Delhi 2003]; Retrieved 2 Sept 2016</ref>. Construction of the Metre Gauge([[Rail_gauge_#Metre_Gauge|MG]])) line  progressed very slowly; and the, 42 miles (67km)  long, was opened on 23 Apr 1867. This became the ‘Cawnpore Branch’ of the [[Oudh and Rohilkhand Railway]](O&RR), this line was later converted to Broad Gauge([[Rail_gauge#Broad_Gauge|BG]]) as part of the O&RR network <ref name=Admin>[https://archive.org/stream/BombayBarodaAndCentralIndiaRailwaySystem/Bombay_Baroda_And_Central_India_Railway_System#page/n139/mode/1up  “Administration Report on Railways 1918” page 132, pdf page 139]; Retrieved 2 Sept 2016</ref>.
==Cawnpore-Lucknow-Fyzabad Railway==
The line from  [[Cawnpore]] via [[Lucknow]] to [[Fyzabad]] was surveyed  in 1862 by the IBR and an engineer examined the proposed route  <ref name=Mukher>[https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Pictorial_Lucknow.html?id=7RCe2E5ch80C&redir_esc=y Google Books “The Pictorial Lucknow” by  P. C. Mukherji, pages 81-82. First published Lucknow 1883, reprinted by AES New Delhi 2003]; Retrieved 2 Sept 2016</ref>. Construction of the line  progressed very slowly; and the 42 miles (67km)  long, was opened on 23 Apr 1867. This became the ‘Cawnpore Branch’ of the [[Oudh and Rohilkhand Railway]](O&RR). The gauge of the original line is not known but was to Broad Gauge([[Rail_gauge#Broad_Gauge|BG]]) specification and became part of the O&RR network <ref name=Admin>[https://archive.org/stream/BombayBarodaAndCentralIndiaRailwaySystem/Bombay_Baroda_And_Central_India_Railway_System#page/n139/mode/1up  “Administration Report on Railways 1918” page 132, pdf page 139]; Retrieved 2 Sept 2016</ref>.


In 1866, Without a guaranteed return from the Government of India([[Government of India |GoI]]), the IBR found it impossible to continue and in 1867, secured a new contract from the [[Government of India |GoI]] on terms similar to those on offer in the 1850s i.e. a guaranteed return on capital employed.   
==Later History==
 
In 1866, without a guaranteed return from the Government of India([[Government of India |GoI]]), the IBR found it impossible to continue and in 1867, secured a new contract from the [[Government of India |GoI]] on terms similar to those on offer in the 1850s i.e. a guaranteed return on capital employed.   
The contract between the Secretary of State and the IBR Company in August 1867 specified ‘for the construction and working of a light system of 36lbs rails at slow speed – 15 miles per hour, in North West Provinces and Oudh. The original lines proposed were from Lucknow to Byramghat, via Dilserai, and from Dilserai via Shahgunj and Jounpore to Benares, with a branch from Shahgunj to Fyzabad’  <ref name=Mukher/>.


The contract between the Secretary of State and the ‘Indian Branch Railway Company’ in August 1867 specified ‘for the construction and working of a light system of 36lbs rails at slow speed - 15 miles per hour, in North West Provinces and Oudh. The original lines proposed were from Lucknow to Byramghat, via Dilserai, and from Dilserai via Shahgunj and Jounpore to Benares, with a branch from Shahgunj to Fyzabad’  <ref>British Library ‘India Office Records’ L/F/8/11/875 ‘Contract between India Branch Railway Company and Secretary of State, 1867’</ref> .


''The spelling of the place names in the above make interpretation of the proposed route difficult, many of the places cannot be identified but must be the following:-''
''The spelling of the place names in the above make interpretation of the proposed route difficult, many of the places cannot be identified but must be the following:-''


The  Benares-Shahganj-Bilwal-Malipur-Akbarpur-Fyzabad-Bara Banki- Lucknow, a length of 199 miles(319km),  was opened from 1872 and completed 1874 and became the ‘Benares-Lucknow Loop’ of the [[Oudh and Rohilkhand Railway]](O&RR)  <ref name=Admin/>. ''This clearly was originally under construction by IBR when absorbed into O&RR.'' It is not clear if this line was first constructed as a Metre Gauge([[Rail_gauge_#Metre_Gauge|MG]])) but certainly was operated by O&RR as part of its Broad Gauge([[Rail_gauge#Broad_Gauge|BG]]) network.
The  Benares-Shahganj-Bilwal-Malipur-Akbarpur-Fyzabad-Bara Banki- Lucknow, a length of 199 miles(319km),  was opened from 1872 and completed 1874 and became the ‘Benares-Lucknow Loop’ of the [[Oudh and Rohilkhand Railway]](O&RR)  <ref name=Admin/>. ''This clearly was originally under construction by IBR when absorbed into O&RR.'' It is possible that this line was first constructed as a Metre Gauge([[Rail_gauge_#Metre_Gauge|MG]])) but certainly later was operated by O&RR as part of its Broad Gauge([[Rail_gauge#Broad_Gauge|BG]]) network.


Around 1872 the IBR was absorbed into the '''[[Oudh and Rohilkhand Railway]]'''(O&RR). The O&RR being merged into the [[East Indian Railway]] (EIR) in 1925.
Around 1872 the IBR was absorbed into the '''[[Oudh and Rohilkhand Railway]]'''(O&RR). The O&RR being merged into the [[East Indian Railway]] (EIR) in 1925.
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<ref>[http://searcharchives.bl.uk/primo_library/libweb/action/search.do?vid=IAMS_VU2  “British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue”  - Search];  Retrieved  23 Jan 2016</ref>
<ref>[http://searcharchives.bl.uk/primo_library/libweb/action/search.do?vid=IAMS_VU2  “British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue”  - Search];  Retrieved  23 Jan 2016</ref>
gives the following: -
gives the following: -
*'''L/F/8/11/875'''     “Indian Branch Railway Company Limited, Duplicate contract ; 1867”
*'''L/F/8/11/875''' “Indian Branch Railway Company Limited, Duplicate contract ; 1867”
*'''L/PWD/2/168-170'''  “Home and Overseas Correspondence of the Indian Branch Railway Company; 1862-1867”''(not catalogued)''
*'''L/PWD/2/168-170'''  “Home and Overseas Correspondence of the Indian Branch Railway Company; 1862-1867”''(not catalogued)''


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Unfortunately, there are no IBR staff records held in the [[India Office Records]] at the [[British Library]].
Unfortunately, there are no IBR staff records held in the [[India Office Records]] at the [[British Library]].


'''Thacker's Directories'''
*Directors. The London based Directors  for the ‘Indian Branch Railway Company’ are indexed in Grace's Guide from the 1867 Thacker’s Directory <ref name=Grace>[https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/1867_Thackers:_Indian_Branch_Railway 'Graces Guide' - "Thacker’s Directory, 1867 – Indian Branch Railway Company"]; Retrieved 5 Mar 2017</ref>.
The following for Indian Branch Railways Personnel have been indexed in Grace's Guide -
*Agent and Engineer-in-Chief, Cawnpore - James E Wilson <ref name=Grace/>
*[http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/1867_Thackers:_Indian_Branch_Railway 1867 Thackers Indian Branch Railways Personnel]


==Further Information==
==Further Information==
See '''[[Nalhati State Railway]]''' and '''[[Oudh and Rohilkhand Railway]]'''
See '''[[Oudh and Rohilkhand Railway]]''' from 1872


== References ==
== References ==
<references />
<references />
[[Category:Railways]]
[[Category:Private Railways]]

Revision as of 07:02, 24 June 2018

The Indian Branch Railway Company (IBR) was formed in 1862 [1] to construct short branches and feeder lines in northern India, with a 20-year subsidy from the Government of India(GoI) but no guarantee [2].

These terms failed to attract capital, and only one line had been constructed, the Nalhati-Azimganj Railway, which opened in 1863. Therefore in 1867 a contract was entered into with the Indian Branch Railway Company, which soon after changed its name to the Awadh and Rohilkhand Railway Company, guaranteeing interest at 5 per cent per annum on conditions similar to those laid down for the period 1854-60 [3].

Around 1872 the ‘Indian Branch Railway’/‘Awadh and Rohilkhand Railway’ was absorbed into the Oudh and Rohilkhand Railway(O&RR).

Nalhati-Azimganj Railway

The ‘Nalhati-Azimganj Railway’, opened in 1863 as a 4ft(1222mm) unique rail gauge, constructed and worked by the ‘Indian Branch Railway Company’. The line was taken over by the Government in 1872, and by named as the Nalhati State Railway; converted to Broad Gauge(BG) in 1892 and becoming the ‘Azimganj Branch Line’ of the First Chord EIR Line ; 27 miles(43km) [4] - See separate page for further information

Cawnpore-Lucknow-Fyzabad Railway

The line from Cawnpore via Lucknow to Fyzabad was surveyed in 1862 by the IBR and an engineer examined the proposed route [5]. Construction of the line progressed very slowly; and the 42 miles (67km) long, was opened on 23 Apr 1867. This became the ‘Cawnpore Branch’ of the Oudh and Rohilkhand Railway(O&RR). The gauge of the original line is not known but was to Broad Gauge(BG) specification and became part of the O&RR network [6].

Later History

In 1866, without a guaranteed return from the Government of India(GoI), the IBR found it impossible to continue and in 1867, secured a new contract from the GoI on terms similar to those on offer in the 1850s i.e. a guaranteed return on capital employed.

The contract between the Secretary of State and the ‘Indian Branch Railway Company’ in August 1867 specified ‘for the construction and working of a light system of 36lbs rails at slow speed - 15 miles per hour, in North West Provinces and Oudh. The original lines proposed were from Lucknow to Byramghat, via Dilserai, and from Dilserai via Shahgunj and Jounpore to Benares, with a branch from Shahgunj to Fyzabad’ [7] .

The spelling of the place names in the above make interpretation of the proposed route difficult, many of the places cannot be identified but must be the following:-

The Benares-Shahganj-Bilwal-Malipur-Akbarpur-Fyzabad-Bara Banki- Lucknow, a length of 199 miles(319km), was opened from 1872 and completed 1874 and became the ‘Benares-Lucknow Loop’ of the Oudh and Rohilkhand Railway(O&RR) [6]. This clearly was originally under construction by IBR when absorbed into O&RR. It is possible that this line was first constructed as a Metre Gauge(MG)) but certainly later was operated by O&RR as part of its Broad Gauge(BG) network.

Around 1872 the IBR was absorbed into the Oudh and Rohilkhand Railway(O&RR). The O&RR being merged into the East Indian Railway (EIR) in 1925.

Records

An on-line search of the IOR records relating to this railway [8] gives the following: -

  • L/F/8/11/875 “Indian Branch Railway Company Limited, Duplicate contract ; 1867”
  • L/PWD/2/168-170 “Home and Overseas Correspondence of the Indian Branch Railway Company; 1862-1867”(not catalogued)

Personnel

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

  • Directors. The London based Directors for the ‘Indian Branch Railway Company’ are indexed in Grace's Guide from the 1867 Thacker’s Directory [9].
  • Agent and Engineer-in-Chief, Cawnpore - James E Wilson [9]

Further Information

See Oudh and Rohilkhand Railway from 1872

References

  1. ↑ Grace’s Guide ‘Indian Branch Railway’ ; Retrieved 23 Jun 2018
  2. ↑ Wikipedia “Indian Branch Railway Company”; Retrieved 5 Mar 2017
  3. ↑ Google Books "Readings in Indian Railway Finance" page 30 edited by K. B. Verma; Retrieved 5 Mar 2017
  4. ↑ “Administration Report on Railways 1918” pages 53-56 (pdf 62-65; Retrieved 5 Mar 2017
  5. ↑ Google Books “The Pictorial Lucknow” by P. C. Mukherji, pages 81-82. First published Lucknow 1883, reprinted by AES New Delhi 2003; Retrieved 2 Sept 2016
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 “Administration Report on Railways 1918” page 132, pdf page 139; Retrieved 2 Sept 2016
  7. ↑ British Library ‘India Office Records’ L/F/8/11/875 ‘Contract between India Branch Railway Company and Secretary of State, 1867’
  8. ↑ “British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue” - Search; Retrieved 23 Jan 2016
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 'Graces Guide' - "Thacker’s Directory, 1867 – Indian Branch Railway Company"; Retrieved 5 Mar 2017
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