Changes

The '''Arakkonam-Conjeeveram Tramway''' was a 3'feet 6inches" gauge (1067mm) [[Rail_gauge#Unique_rail_Gauges|Rail Gauge line ]] ''(+ † see Gauge Note) '' which opened in 1865about 1864-65. <br>The Tramway was constructed by the [[Indian Tramway Co. It ]](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 with no Guarantee. <br>The Tramway ran between the towns of [[ArakkonamArkonam]] and [[ConjeevaramConjeeveram]] ''(now known as Kanchipuram‡ see Spelling Notes).''

This tramway was absorbed into the [[File:Arakkonam-Conjeeveram Tramway.png|thumb|Arakkonam-Conjeeveram Tramway constructed by Indian Tramway Co.]]The records <ref name= Surrender>[https://archive.org/stream/parliamentarypa212commgoog#page/n241/mode/1up “Parliamentary Papers Accounts and Papers Volume 15 of 37” Session 9 February to 21 August 1871 Pages 230-231 ‘Deed of Surrender between Indian Tramway Company and Secretary of State’. <br>Also British Library ‘India Office Records’ L/F/8/11/876 ]; Retrieved 30 Mar 2018</ref>. state:-<br>The [[Indian Tramway Co.|'Indian Tramway Company']]constructed a light railway for the distance of 14 miles and 22 chains (ITC14.275 miles/23km) commencing from the Arconum ‡ Station, along and upon one half of the Government road towards Conjeveram‡ , and the remainder of the railway being a company that was formed in 1862 to build short lines around Madrasdistance of 4 miles and 43 chains (4.537 miles/7.3km), together with a 20the stations, sidings, engine-year subsidy from houses, storehouses, and other buildings, made and constructed by, and at the cost of, the Company, upon land taken up by, and at the cost of, the [[Government , and made over to the Company free of India]] but no guaranteecharge.

The ITC suffered losses Thus the total length of the line was 18.8miles (30.3km) and in 1870 went into liquidation. The lines were taken over by the [[Carnatic Railway]] Company, a new company formed line "opened for the purposetraffic about 1 Aug 1865"<ref name=Surrender/>.

+Note. The 3'6" (1067mm) gauge is most unusual, ITC suffered losses and why it was adopted on this tramway is unclearin 1870 went into liquidation. See [[Rail_gauge|Rail gauge]] for further information. It is thought that The lines were taken over by the track was converted to metre gauge(‘[[Rail_gauge_#Metre_GaugeCarnatic Railway|MG]]) in 1878, this would have been undertaken by [[Carnatic RailwayCompany]] , a new company formed for the purpose.

==Further Information=='''†Gauge Note'''* The 3'6" (1067mm) gauge is most unusual, and why it was adopted on this tramway is unclear. [[Rail_gauge|''See separate page ‘Rail Gauge’ for further information'']]. *This line was then converted by the ‘[[Carnatic Railway]]’ soon after 1870, to broad gauge([[Rail_gauge#Broad_Gauge|BG]]) to conform with the Government Policy of that time and the gauge of the ‘[[Madras Railway]]’ where the line connected at [[Arkonam]]. *With the creation of the ‘[[South Indian Tramway Co.Railway]]’ the metre gauge([[Rail_gauge_#Metre_Gauge|MG]] ) was adopted and the line was converted once again to [[Carnatic RailwayRail_gauge_#Metre_Gauge|MG]]in July 1878 <ref>[https://archive.org/stream/BombayBarodaAndCentralIndiaRailwaySystem/Bombay_Baroda_And_Central_India_Railway_System#page/n147/mode/1up “Administration Report on Railways 1918” page 1368 (pdf147 ]; Retrieved 30 Mar 2018</ref>.