Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway
The Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway (BBCIR) was incorporated in 1855 for "the construction and working of a line from Bombay, via Surat and Baroda, to Ahmedabad - total about 320 miles. Capital 2,300,000l. Rate of Interest Guaranteed - 5 per cent on 2,000,000l. capital and 4½ per cent . on 300,000l. debentures." 1
Characteristics
Formed in 1855 and began work on track from Baroda to Surat. By 1865, the Bombay-Surat-Baroda-Ahmedabad route was complete; in 1867, the Virar-Bombay Backbay suburban service commenced with one train in each direction each day. In 1871, trackage was 300. In 1901, the Indian Midland Railway was merged into the BBCIR and on 31 December 1905, ownership of the BBCIR passed to the Government of India (GoI). Management of the BBCIR passed to the GoI on 1 January 1942.
In 1951, the BBCIR (less the Delhi-Rewari-Fazilka and Kanpur-Achnera sections) merged with the Saurashtra, Jaipur State, Jodhpur (Marwar-Phulad section), Rajasthan and Cutch State railways to become the Western Railway (Indian Railways).
Records
Unfortunately, there are no BBCIR staff records held in the India Office Records at the British Library.
Notes
1 "Money Market and City Intelligence", The Times, Wednesday, 15 June 1859, #23333, 7a.