Arakkonam-Conjeevaram Tramway

Arakkonam-Conjeeveram Tramway was a 3'6" gauge line (+ see Note) which opened in 1865. It ran between Arakkonam and Conjeevaram (now known as Kanchipuram).

This tramway was absorbed into the Indian Tramway Co.(ITC) a company that was formed in 1862 to build short lines around Madras, with a 20-year subsidy from the Government of India but no guarantee.

The ITC suffered losses and in 1870 went into liquidation. The lines were taken over by the Carnatic Railway Company, a new company formed for the purpose.

+Note. The 3'6" (1067mm) gauge is most unusual, and why it was adopted on this tramway is unclear. See Rail gauge for further information. It is thought that the track was converted to metre gauge(MG) in 1878, this would have been undertaken by Carnatic Railway

Further Information

See Indian Tramway Co. and Carnatic Railway