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'Izat Bridge' and 'Alexander Izat' information and references added.
The '''Bengal and North-Western Railway''' (B&NWR) was a metre gauge([[Rail_gauge_#Metre_Gauge|MG]]) railway.
<ref>[https://archive.org/stream/BombayBarodaAndCentralIndiaRailwaySystem/Bombay_Baroda_And_Central_India_Railway_System#page/n165/mode/2up" Administration Report on the Railways in India – corrected up to 31st March 1918"; Superintendent of Government Printing, Calcutta; page 157-162]; Retrieved 19 Feb 2016</ref>
The Bengal and North Western Railway Company came into being in October 1882 as a result of an agreement made with the Secretary of State for India. The government had started work in 1881 on constructing a rail link between [[Patna]] and [[Bahraich]], along the Ghaghara River. The company agreed to complete the construction works and, in consideration of that investment, the government would provide a tranche of land without charge (instead of providing a guaranteed return). Once constructed the company became responsible for the railway’s operation under the concession agreement
The B&NWR was unusual in that it was one of the very few railways promoted and constructed without Government assistance other than the gift of land, the original contract being signed in 1882.
The B&NWR Agent and Chief Engineer was [[Alexander Izat]] for a short time in from February 1883, 'on loan' from the [[Public Works Department]] <ref>[http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Alexander_Izat Grace's Guide "Alexander Izat"]; Retrieved on 7 20 Jul 2016</ref>, a post which he held till the 31st May 1904 when he joined the Home Board as Managing Director <ref> [https://www.bl.uk/catalogues/indiaofficeselect/PhotoEnqFull.asp?PrintID=123274 India Office Records “Bengal and N.W. Ry. , Opening of Izat Bridge at Allahabad, on 31st October, 1912”. Photo 1082/13(5) ]; Retrieved 20 Jul 2016</ref>.An outstanding tribute was paid to [[Alexander Izat]] in 1912 - see the Inaugeration of the [[Izat Bridge]] No other staff records have been identified.
In 1890 the company took over management of the [[Tirhoot State Railway]], and managed further lines up until 1943.
** Burhwal to Barabanki (Broad to Mixed gauge) converted 24 November 1896
** Burhwal to Barabanki (Mixed to Metre gauge) converted around 1943
* Chupra-Benares-Allahabad Branch (Metre Gauge) first section opened 1891, extended to Jhusi 1909, [[Izat Bridge]] 1912, [[Allahabad]] 1913 <ref>[https://archive.org/stream/BombayBarodaAndCentralIndiaRailwaySystem/Bombay_Baroda_And_Central_India_Railway_System#page/n166/mode/1up "Administration Report on the Railways in India – corrected up to 31st March 1918"; Superintendent of Government Printing, Calcutta; page 158]; Retrieved 20 Jul 2016</ref>.
* Dighwara-Goldingganj diversion (7 miles) opened around 1960
* Barabanki to Chhapra (Metre to Broad gauge) converted 1981
