Assam Tea Industry Tramways

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Assam Tea Industry Tramways

  • See page Tea Plantation concerning tea production and providing further information sources.

Tramways were mainly used for bringing leaf from the gardens for processing at the factory, these were generally narrow gauge(NG) 2ft 6in/762mm or 2ft/610mm tracks. Some of NG lines linked the factory to the nearest mainline station or river ghat and used to convey the processed tea out for onward shipment and for bring in coal, supplies and equipment.

The following table is based on Simon Darvill's book “Industrial Railways and Locomotives of India and South Asia”.
Published by ‘The Industrial Railway Society’ 2013. ISBN 978 1 901556 82-7, available at http://irsshop.co.uk/India , which gives considerably more information than given here.
The table that follows has been provided by the author and the 'Entry' and 'Page' refers to the information given in that book.
See Footnotes [..] at end of table.

.

Company Names A-C

Company Garden(s) Managing Agent District Gauge Length Date in use Motive Power Book Entry/Page
Amalgamated Tea Estates Co Ltd Tarajan Finlay, Muir & Co Dibrugarh ? 1½ miles ? ? AS
Anglo American Direct Tea Trading Co Ltd Nahor Rani and Khagrijan Finlay, Muir & Co Dibrugarh ? 5 miles [1] ? ? AS


Assam Co Ltd Cherido Kilburn & Co Sibsagar 2ft 0in ? ? Petrol loco [2] AS
Assam Co Ltd Gelakey Kilburn & Co Sibsagar 2ft 0in ? ? Petrol loco [3] AS
Assam Co Ltd Lakmijan Kilburn & Co Sibsagar 2ft 0in ? ? Petrol loco [4] AS
Assam Co Ltd Mackaypore Kilburn & Co Sibsagar 2ft 0in ? ? Petrol loco [5] AS
Assam Co Ltd [6] Tingalibam Kilburn & Co Sibsagar 2ft 0in ? ? Diesel loco [7] AS
Assam Frontier Tea Co Hilika Shaw, Wallace & Co Ltd Tinsukia Metre [B] 2½ miles ? Steam & Diesel[8] AS
Assam Frontier Tea Co Talap and Dangori Shaw, Wallace & Co Ltd Tinsukia ? 4 miles ? ? AS
Assam Frontier Tea Co Hapjan Parabat and Balimara Shaw, Wallace & Co Ltd Dibrugarh ? 6 miles ? ? AS
Assam Frontier Tea Co Longsaol Shaw, Wallace & Co Ltd Tinsukia ? 1½ miles ? ? AS
Babu Dhorjonarain Das Havela ? Tinsukia ? 7½ miles[9] ? ? AS
Baghjan Tea Co Ltd - Barry & Co/Macneill & Barry Ltd Tinsukia ? ? <1923 to 1934 Human [10] AS
Balijan Tea Co Balijan ? Dibrugarh ? [11] ? ? AS
Bargang Tea Co Bargang, Ketela Williamson, Magor & Co Sonitpur ? 2 miles [12] ? Petrol loco[13] AS
Bazalone Tea Co Ltd ? Octavius Steel Co Ltd Tinsukia 2ft 0in ? ? Diesel loco [14] AS
Bhubandhar Tea Co Ltd ? Macneill & Co/Macneill & Barry Ltd Cachar ? Over ¾ mile <1923 to 1946 ? AS
Bishnauth Tea Co Ltd Diplonga and Pratapgarh WIlliamsom, Magor & Co Sonitpur ? 9 miles [15] ? ? AS
Bordubi Tea Co Ltd Bordubi, Phillobari Williamson Magor & Co Dibrugarh 2ft 0in ? ? Diesel loco [16] AS
British Indian Tea Co Ltd Mancotta, Rhea and Sessa Balmer, Lawrie & Co Ltd Dibrugarh 2ft 0in ? ? Petrol loco [17] AS
Budla Beta Tea Co Ltd Bokpara Shaw Wallace & Co Ltd Dibrugarh 2ft 0in ? ? Diesel loco [18] AS
Budla Beta Tea Co Ltd Kharjan Shaw Wallace & Co Ltd Dibrugarh 2ft 6in ? ? Diesel loco [19] AS
Budla Beta Tea Co Ltd Pengaree, Kanjikoah and Kharjan Shaw Wallace & Co Ltd Dibrugarh [20] ? ? [20] AS
Bukhial Tea Estate Ltd ? Barry & Co/Macneill & Barry Ltd Dibrugarh ? 2½ miles 1929 to ? Loco AS
Bukhial Tea Estate Ltd Sopella Barry & Co/Macneill & Barry Ltd Golaghat ? ? <1925 to 1937 ? AS
Chabua Tea Co Ltd Chabua Finlay, Muir & Co Dibrugarh Metre [B] 6 miles ? ? AS
Chargola Tea Association Ltd Chargola, Lilachila, Bidyannagar, Anipur, Kalachara, Balichara and Maguachara Finlay, Muir & Co Karimganj ? 10 miles ? ? AS
Consolidated Tea & Lands Co. Ltd Amatailchara and Hugli Finlay, Muir & Co Cachar ? 2 miles ? ? AS
Consolidated Tea & Lands Co Ltd Sindurkhan, Rajghat, Burmachara, Puttiachara, Fuskuri, Lakhaichara, Kalighat, Phulchara, Kakiachara and Jagchara Finlay, Muir & Co Cachar ? 10 miles [21] ? ? AS
Cossipore Tea Co Ltd Pollarbund, Felixstowe and Bhadri Macneill & Co/ Macneill & Barry Ltd Cachar ? Over 1¼ miles 1906 to 1946 Hand worked AS
__________________ _______________________________ __________________ ____________ _____ ________ ________ _______ ______


Company Names D-G

Company Garden(s) Managing Agent District Gauge Length Date in use Motive Power Book Entry/Page
Daimukhia Tea Estate ? James Warren Co Ltd Tinsukia 2ft 0in ? ? Diesel loco [22] AS
Deamoolie Tea Co Ltd Deamoolie and Rupai James Warren Co Ltd Tinsukia 2ft 0in 9 miles ? Diesel loco [23] AS
Dekhari Tea Co Ltd Dekhari The Planters’ Stores and Agency Co Ltd Dibrugarh ? 5 miles [24] ? ? AS
Derby Tea Co Ltd Derby Octavius Steel & Co Ltd Cachar ? c.5 miles ? ? AS
Digulturrung Tea Estate ? Barry & Co/Macneill & Barry Ltd Tinsukia ? ? <1929 to 1939 Int.Comb. loco AS
Diju Tea Co Ltd Diju ? Lakhimpur ? 3 miles ? ? AS
Dikhari Syndicate Ltd Naoholia ? Dibrugarh ? [26] ? ? AS
Dilkhoosh Tea Estate ? Macneill & Co/ Macneill & Barry Ltd Cachar ? 1½ miles >1936 to 1944 ? AS
Dinjan Tea Co Ltd ? Macneill & Co/ Macneill & Barry Ltd Tinsukia 2ft 0in ? 1916 to 1962 Loco [27] AS
Dirai Tea Company Ltd Pithagooti Barry & Co/Macneill & Barry Ltd Dibrugarh ? 2 miles plus <1937 to 1962 ? AS
Doyapore Tea Co Ltd ? Macneill & Co/ Macneill & Barry Ltd Cachar ? ? 1930's to '37 ? AS
Dudpatli Tea Co Ltd Dudpatli, Macneill & Co/ Macneill & Barry Ltd Cachar ? [28] 1905 to 1923 ? AS
Dudpatli Tea Co Ltd Haticherra Macneill & Co/ Macneill & Barry Ltd Cachar ? [28] 1910 to 1946 Hand worked AS
Dudpatli Tea Co Ltd Kanaikuri, Hatticherra, Chhota, Singa, Alipur and Narainpur Macneill & Co/ Macneill & Barry Ltd Cachar ? [29] ? ? AS
East India & Ceylon Tea Co Ltd Fanai, Lalchara and Dullabchara Finlay, Muir & Co Karimganj ? 2 miles ? ? AS
Eastern Assam Tea Co Ltd Balijan Barry & Co/Macneill & Barry Ltd Dibrugarh 2ft 0in 4 miles ? [30] AS
Eastern Assam Tea Co Ltd Sealkai Barry & Co/Macneill & Barry Ltd Dibrugarh 2ft 0in 3 miles ? [30] AS
Empire Of India 1 Ceylon Tea Co. Borjuli[31] Gillanders, Arbuthnot and Co Sonitpur 2ft 6in ? ? Steam loco[32] AS
G S Reade Silanibari ? Lakhimpur ? 3 miles ? ? AS
Greenwood Tea Co Ltd ? Barry & Co/Macneill & Barry Ltd Dibrugarh ? 2½ miles 1929 to ? Loco AS
__________________ _______________________________ __________________ ____________ _____ ________ ________ _______ ______


Company Names H-J

Company Garden(s) Managing Agent District Gauge Length Date in use Motive Power Book Entry/Page
Harmutti Tea Co Ltd Harmuti and Morbi ? Lakhimpur ? 3 miles ? ? AS
Hatikhira Tea Co Ltd[33] Hatikhira and Salgai ? Karimganj ? 3 miles ? ? AS
Hosack Esq, J Khangia and Kharahat ? Sibsagar ? 3 miles ? ? AS
Hunwal Tea Co Ltd Mariar and Hatijuri ? Jorhat ? 4 miles ? ? AS
Isa Bheel Tea Co Ltd ? Octavius Steel & Co Karimganj 2ft 0in ? ? Diesel loco[34] AS
Jhanzi Tea Association Ltd Seleng Balmer, Lawrie & Co Jorhat ? 2 miles ? ? AS
Jhanzi Tea Association Ltd Laojan Balmer, Lawrie & Co Jorhat ? 2 miles ? ? AS
Jokai (Assam) Tea Co Ltd Nappa, Bokel, Bogpara and Jokai Balmer, Lawrie & Co Ltd Dibrugarh ? 6½ miles ? ? AS
Jokai (Assam) Tea Co Ltd Dikom and Wilton Balmer, Lawrie & Co Ltd Dibrugarh ? 5 miles [35] ? Pet.& Dies locos[36] AS
Jokai (Assam) Tea Co Ltd Hatiali Balmer, Lawrie & Co Ltd Dibrugarh ? 2 miles ? ? AS
Jokai (Assam) Tea Co Ltd Panitola, Nakhory, Khanmitigowall and Nalani (Woodbine) Balmer, Lawrie & Co Ltd Tinsukia 2ft 0in 11 miles [37] ? Steam, D & P locos[38] AS
Jokai (Assam) Tea Co Ltd Kachujan and Hukanpukri Balmer, Lawrie & Co Ltd Tinsukia 2ft 0in 3½ miles ? Petrol & diesel locos[39] AS
Jokai (Assam) Tea Co Ltd Tippuk, Daisajan Balmer, Lawrie & Co Ltd Tinsukia 2ft 0in 4 miles ? Petrol & diesel locos[40] AS
Jokai (Assam) Tea Co Ltd Jaihing Balmer, Lawrie & Co Ltd Lakhimpur ? 3½ miles ? ? AS
Jokai (Assam) Tea Co Ltd Koilamari, Longrai, Muttuck,Pathlipam and Singlijan[29] Balmer, Lawrie & Co Ltd ? ? ? ? [41] AS
Jorehut Tea Co Ltd Ltd Sycotta and Kharikati Begg, Dunlop and Co Jorhat ? 4½ miles ? ? AS
Jorehut Tea Co Ltd Hatichungi, Cinnamara and Murmuria Begg, Dunlop and Co Jorhat ? ? ? ? AS
Junctoli Tea Co Ltd Rajabari and Dirial ? Dibrugarh ? 3 miles ? ? AS
__________________ _______________________________ __________________ ____________ _____ ________ ________ _______ ______


Company Names K-Q

Company Garden(s) Managing Agent District Gauge Length Date in use Motive Power Book Entry/Page
Kalline Tea Co Ltd Sundoura, Magenta and Boalcherra Macneill & Co/ Macneill & Barry Ltd Cachar ? 5½ miles 1927 to 1938 ? AS
Kanan Devan Hills Produce Co Ltd Kakajan Finlay Muir & Co Dibrugarh ? 1½ miles ? ? AS
Kanan Devan Hills Produce Co Ltd Nakachari and Bheluguri ? Jorhat ? 4 miles ? ? AS
Khobang Tea Co Ltd Laina and Khobang ? Tinsukia ? 4 miles ? ? AS
Koomsong Tea Co Ltd ? Williamson, Magor & Co Dibrugarh 2ft 0in ? ? Diesel loco[42] AS
Koyah Tea Co Ltd Clavellpore Macneill & Co/ Macneill & Barry Ltd Cachar ? ? 1911 to 1944 Steam loco AS
Lakwa Tea Co Lakwa, Khona and Rangagarh ? Sibsagar ? 4½ miles ? ? AS
Langai Valley Tea Co Ltd Langai Valley, Lalkhira and Tiriniti ? Karimganj ? 5 miles ? ? AS
Loobah Co [43] Kallincherra Octavius Steel & Co Ltd Halaikandi ? ? 1927 to 1946? ? AS
Mahalbari Tea Co Ltd Mahalbari ? Tinsukia ? 2½ miles ? ? AS
Majagram Tea Co Ltd Majagram [44] Macneill & Co/ Macneill & Barry Ltd Cachar ? ? ? to 1946 ? AS
Majagram Tea Co Ltd Subong Macneill & Co/ Macneill & Barry Ltd Cachar ? 1¼ mile 1924 to 1946 Animal AS
Majuli Tea Co Ltd Ghilandhari Williamson, Magor & Co Sonitpur ? 9 mile [45] ? ? AS
Majuli Tea Co Ltd Mijikan and Kalapani Williamson Magor & Co Sonitpur ? 3 miles ? ? AS
Moabund Tea Co Ltd Moabund, Sangsoa, Kamarbund, Samaguri, Gatonga and Kakadanga Williamson, Magor & Co Jorhat ? 9 miles ? ? AS
Modhupur Tea Estate Bahubal ? Cachar ? ? ? Steam loco AS
Pabbojan Tea Co Ltd Pabbojan and Dhoedaam The Planters’ Stores and Agency Co Ltd Lakhimpur 2ft 0in ? ? Diesel loco[46] AS
Pabhojan Tea Co Ltd Dhoedaam ? Tinsukia ? 6 miles[47] ? ? AS
Puthni Tea Co Ltd Puthni, Sonakhira and Champabari ? Karimganj ? 4 miles ? ? AS
__________________ _______________________________ __________________ ____________ _____ ________ ________ _______ ______


Company Names R-Z

Company Garden(s) Managing Agent District Gauge Length Date in use Motive Power Book Entry/Page
Rajmai Tea Co Barbari ? Dibrugarh [48] ? ? ? AS
Rangagore Tea Estate Rangagore and Bazatollie Barry & Co/Macneill & Barry Ltd Dibrugarh 2ft 0in 4 miles ? Diesel loco[49] AS
Romai Tea Co Ltd Romai Williamson, Magor & Co Dibrugarh ? 3 miles ? to 1974 ? AS
Sakomoto Tea Estates Ltd [50] Sakomoto The Planters’ Stores and Agency Sonitpur ? 9 miles ? ? AS
Scotpore Tea Co Ltd Pollarbund [51] Macneill & Co/ Macneill & Barry Ltd Cachar ? 7 miles 1908 to 1946 ? AS
Scotpore Tea Co Ltd Scotpore [51] Macneill & Co/ Macneill & Barry Ltd Cachar ? ? 1908 to 1938 ? AS
Sibsagar Road Tea Medla, Lepetkata and Bolye Williamson, Magor & Co Dibrugarh ? 4½ miles ? ? AS
Singlo Tea Co Ltd Muttrapore, Naphuk, Dighali and Safrai Gillanders, Arbuthnot and Co Sibsagar ? 9 miles ? ? AS
Singlo Tea Co Ltd Jaboka ? Tinsukia 2ft 0in 10 miles ? Diesel loco[52] AS
Singlo Tea Co Ltd Muttrapore ? Tinsukia 2ft 6in 3 miles ? ? AS
Tarrapore Tea Co Ltd Dewan and Labac Macneill & Co/ Macneill & Barry Ltd Cachar ? [53] 1908 to 1944 ? AS
Tarrapore Tea Co Ltd Balladhun Macneill & Co/ Macneill & Barry Ltd Cachar ? >¾ mile [53] 1912 to ? ? AS
Tarrapore Tea Co Ltd Narainpore Macneill & Co/ Macneill & Barry Ltd Cachar ? 1¼ miles [53] 1913 to 1937 ? AS
Tarrapore Tea Co Ltd Burtoll Macneill & Co/ Macneill & Barry Ltd Cachar ? [53] 1912 to 1946 Int.Comb. loco? AS
Thanai Tea Co Ltd ? Barry & Co/Macneill & Barry Ltd Dibrugarh ? ? 1908 to 1944 Animal AS
Tilkah Tea Co Ltd Lakhipur and Tilkah Octavius Steel & Co Ltd Cachar Mono [A] Just over 5 miles 1908 to ? ? AS
Tingiri Tea Co Ltd [54] Hugrijan, Keyhing ? Dibrugarh ? [55] ? ? AS
Todd, J E Jugibheta, Meleng and Meleng ? Jorhat ? 8½ miles ? ? AS
Unknown Company 1 Borhat ? Sibsagar ? 2½ miles ? ? AS
Unknown Company 2 Kunsong ? Tinsukia ? 17 miles [56] ? ? AS
Unknown Company 3 Raidang, Samdang and Mesai ? Tinsukia ? 8 miles ? ? AS
Unknown Company 4 Motinugger ? Cachar ? 3 miles ? ? AS
Unknown Company 5 Hatigarh ? Dibrugarh ? [57] ? ? AS
Upper Assam Tea Co Ltd, Maijan Macneill & Co/ Macneill & Barry Ltd Tinsukia ? 3½ miles <1912 to? ? AS
Western Cachar Co Ltd Rajpore Macneill & Co/ Macneill & Barry Ltd Halaikandi ? ? <1913 to 1925> ? AS
Western Cachar Co Ltd Jellapore, Rajpore and Batulmara Macneill & Co/ Macneill & Barry Ltd Halaikandi ? ? 1925 to 1946 ? AS
__________________ _______________________________ __________________ ____________ _____ ________ ________ _______ ______


Footnotes


[A] Monorail system of unknown gauge and system is recorded in use at 'Tilkah Tea Co Ltd' at Lakhipur and Tilkah, Cachar District, just over 5 miles in length.
[B] Metre gauge(MG) line are recorded for 'Assam Frontier Tea Co' at Hilika, Tinsukia District, 2½ miles; and 'Chabua Tea Co Ltd' at Chabus, Dibrugarh District, 6 miles


[1] System linked these gardens and that of Dekhari Tea Co Ltd
[2] One loco supplied in 1914.
[3] Two locos supplied between 1914 and 1916,
[4] One loco supplied in 1914
[5] One loco supplied in 1915
[6] A further three diesel locos were supplied to unknown gardens between 1936 and 1938.
[7] One loco supplied in 1947.
[8] Two MG stem locos supplied between 1901 and 1923 and one diesel loco supplied in 1914.
[9] The line also served Gillanders, Arbuthnot and Co garden at Tongpani and the Rajgarali and Bazaloni gardens, owned by an unknown company. The length is the total length of the line
[10] It was suggested that petrol or diesel loco be obtained but no evidence found that this happened.
[11] Served by a tramway that also served Tingiri Tea Co, Dikhari Syndicate Ltd and a garden at Hatigarh. [12] Line carried on Rangagarh garden owned by Mr G Chilsholm
[13] One loco supplied prior to 1929.
[14] Two locos supplied between 1943 and 1944.
[15] Line also served the Sakomoto garden of the Sakomoto Tea Estates Ltd and the Ghilandhari garden of the Majuli Tea Co Ltd. Length is the total length of the system
[16] Five locos supplied between 1923 and 1930.
[17] One loco delivered in 1934. [18] One loco delivered in 1924 [19] One loco delivered 1947
[20] These gardens are all known to have railway systems but their details are unknown. Two 2ft 0in gauge diesel locos were supplied to Budla Beta between 1913 and 1938 and two 2ft 6in gauge diesel locos were supplied between 1930 and 1934, it is unknown which gardens they were used at
[21] The line also ran through the Bharuna Tea Co Ltd garden at Bharaura and a garden at Sisal Bari (owned by an unknown company). It is unknown if these gardens used the system.
[22] One loco supplied in 1946.
[23] Four locos supplied between 1926 and 1928.
[24] System linked this garden and those of Anglo American Direct Tea Trading Co Ltd
[25] One diesel loco supplied in 1947.
[26] Served by a tramway that also served Tingiri Tea Co, Balijan Tea Co and a garden at Hatigarh.
[27] One loco supplied date unknown and one loco ordered in 1946.
[28] The two tramways were linked and totalled nine miles at their longest
[29] These gardens are known to have used railways but further details are unknown.
[30] Between 1912 and 1924 three petrol locos were supplied 1912 and 1924 and one diesel locos was supplied in 1928, all 2ft 0in gauge. It is unknown which gardens used them.
[31] The garden was served by an extension of the TBLR.
[32] One loco supplied in 1928.
[33] The line also served Consolidated Tea & Land Co Ltd’s garden at Baitakhal.
[34] One loco supplied in 1944.
[35] The system also passed through the British India Tea Co Ltd garden at Sessa.
[36] One petrol loco supplied in 1914 and one diesel loco supplied in 1939.
[37] The system had a junction with the Upper Assam Tea Co’s system at Rangagora and Bazaltoli.
[38] Two steam locos supplied in 1889 (one later converted to diesel), one petrol loco supplied in 1923 and one diesel loco supplied in 1937.
[39] One petrol loco supplied in 1910 and one diesel loco supplied in 1936.
[40] One petrol loco supplied in 1924 and one diesel loco supplied in 1939
[41] One 2ft 0in gauge steam supplied in 1894, three 2ft 0in gauge petrol locos supplied between 1919 and 1929 and four 2ft 0in gauge diesel locos were supplied to unknown Jokai gardens.
[42] One diesel loco supplied in 1923.
[43] Linked to the Western Cachar Ltd’s Jellapore system
[44] Used the Cossipore Tea Co Ltd tramway
[45] Line also served the Diplonga and Pratapgarh gardens of the Bishnauth Tea Co Ltd and the Ghilandhari garden of the Bishnauth Tea Co Ltd. Length is the total length of the system
[46] One loco supplied in 1926.
[47] Linked to the Doom Dooma Co’s system at Hansara.
[48] The Eastern Assam Tea Co system that served Balijan garden ran through this garden but it is unknown if it was used by Rajmal Tea.
[49] One loco supplied in 1946.
[50] Line also served the Diplonga and Pratapgarh gardens of the Bishnauth Tea Co Ltd and the Ghilandhari garden of the Majuli Tea Co Ltd. Length is the total length of the system
[51] Linked to the Tarrapore Tea Co tramway system by a junction at Pollarbund.
[52] One loco supplied in 1923.
[53] All the Tarrapore Tea Co systems were linked and had a total length of approx 26 miles. The Scottpore Tea Co system had a junction with this system at Pollarbund.
[54] Served by a tramway that also served Dikhari Syndicate Ltd, Balijan Tea Co and a garden at Hatigarh.
[55] Served by a tramway that also served Tingiri Tea Co, Balijan Tea Co and the Hatigarh garden of an unknown company,
[56] The line ran through the Budla Beta Tea Co Ltd’s garden at Budla Beta and had branches to Sockerating garden (operated by Shaw, Wallace & Co), the Tara garden of the Tara Tea Co Ltd, a garden at Bogpara (operated by an unknown company) and the Bardubi garden of thr Bardubi Tea Co Ltd. The length is for the whole system – the mainline was 10 miles long and the branches were 7 miles in length.
[57] Served by a tramway that also served Tingiri Tea Co, Balijan Tea Co and Dikhari Syndicate Ltd.

References