West of India Portuguese Railway
| West of India Portuguese Railway | ||
|---|---|---|
| [[Image:|150px| ]] | ||
| Line of route | ||
| Marmagao to Lando | ||
| Gauge / mileage | ||
| Metre gauge | 51 (1905) | |
| Timeline | ||
| 1888 | Opened to traffic | |
| Key locations | ||
| Presidency | Bombay | |
| Stations | Castle Rock, Lando, Marmagao | |
| System agency | ||
| 1902 | Southern Mahratta Railway | |
| How to interpret this infobox | ||
The West of India Portuguese Railway (WIPR) ran from the port of Marmagao/Mormugao (in the Portuguese enclave of Goa) via Castle Rock to Lando, junction with the Southern Mahratta Railway (SMR).
History
In 1902, with the metre gauge line on the verge of bankruptcy, the Portuguese leased the railway to the SMR (1) which set up the WIPR to manage it. With Independence, operation of the WIPR passed to Indian Railways and Southern Railway. (2) Between 1955 and 1961, the lines within the enclave reverted to Portuguese control. In 1963, the railway was once more taken over by India Railways' Southern Railway. (3)
Records
Unfortunately, there are no Staff agreements held at the British Library in the India Office Records.
Notes
(1) "A Portuguese-British deal," The New York Times, Thursday, 16 October 1902, p1 (digital image, The New York Times Archives : accessed 25 Novmeber 2008).
(2) WP 7713, "Vasco Vindaloo", accessed 25 November 2008.
(3) Mormugao Port Trust, "Landmark events of the past seventy years", accessed 25 November 2008.