User:PEA-2292/My sandbox

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Gauge Question

Over the years there were various views, proposals and recommendations regarding the choice of Rail Gauge throughout India.

1859-1871

The following is extracted from the 1870-71 Report on Railways’ transcribed by Fibis see separate page with the relevant Paragraphs as referenced

1859

The Broad Gauge of 5 feet 6 inches was fixed upon when Indian railways were first commenced in the year 1859. Lord Dalhousie (founder of the Public Works Department) was in favour of 6 feet; but after much consideration 5 feet 6 inches was decided upon as preferable [1].

  • 1862-66 . The introduction of a lighter system of railways into India was more than once proposed. Colonel H. Yule R.E., C.B. with the Indian Branch Railway Company constructed two short lines of lighter construction (the Nalhati-Azimganj Railway and the Cawnpore-Lucknow-Fyzabad Railway) both with James E Wilson being their engineer [1].
  • 1869. The recommendation that a much narrower gauge than 5 feet 6 inches should be applied to future lines of railway in India was made by the Viceroy Lord Mayo with the chief ground upon being that of economy. He and the members of his Council considered that the railway system of India was really in its infancy; that its extension to any great length upon the existing mode of construction would be greatly retarded by the necessary outlay; that saving of cost in every direction was imperatively called for, and that such saving could be most satisfactorily secured by adopting a narrow gauge. The Government of India regarded 3 feet 6 inches as the maximum that should be used but begged that this point should be determined in England [1].
  • 1870. “Gauge Committee” formed, consisting of Colonel R. Strachey, R. E., C.S.I., Colonel C. H. Dickens, R.A., C. S. l., Mr. John Fowler, C.E., and Mr. A. M. Rendel, Consulting Engineer to the East Indian Railway Company, was accordingly appointed "to consider the precise gauge and general character for an average narrow gauge line of railway in India." [2].


  • 1871 January. the orders of the Government of India were issued to adopt the metre or 3 feet 3⅜ inches gauge (MG) on all new railway constructions.


  • 1877-78. Decision to revert to the 5 feet 6 inches broad gauge(BG)

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 ‘1870-71 Report on Railways’ para.11
  2. ↑ ‘1870-71 Report on Railways’ para.12
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