Indian Branch Railway

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

Characteristics

In 1863, the IBR built the 4' gauge Nalhati-Azimganj line. In 1866, it began construction of a metre gauge line between Lucknow-Kanpur, completed the following year. Without a guaranteed return from the 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. Subsequently, the IBR was subsumed into the Oudh and Rohilkhand Railway.

Records

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