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(GoI) 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 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. Subsequently, the IBR was subsumed into the Oudh and Rohilkhand Railway(O&RR).

Records

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