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A strategic line constructed by [[Sind, Punjab and Delhi Railway]](SP&DR(qv) from 1880 and opened 1887 when merged with NWR(qv)

{{Work-It was the year 1857 when the idea was suggested by William Andrew (Chairman of Scinde, Punjab and Delhi Railway) that the railways to the Bolan Pass would have strategic role in responding to any threat by Russia. During the second Afghan War (1878–80) between Britain and Afghanistan, a new urgency was needed to construct a Railway line up to [[Quetta]] in order to get easier access to the frontier. On 18 September 1879, under the orders of Viceroy council, work begun on laying the railway tracks and after four months the first 134 miles (215 km) of line from [[ Ruk]] was completed and become operational inJanuary 1880 reaching [[Sibi]] on 2 May 1880 <ref name=Admin1918>[https://archive.org/stream/BombayBarodaAndCentralIndiaRailwaySystem/Bombay_Baroda_And_Central_India_Railway_System#page/n117/mode/1up “Administration Report on Railways 1918” page 108 (pdf117)]; Retrieved 5 Dec 2016</ref>. Beyond [[Sibi]] the terrain was very difficult and involved the [[Bolan Pass Railway Construction]]. After immense difficulties and harsh weather conditions, it was March 1887 when the railway line of over 200 miles (320 km) long finally reached [[Quetta] becoming the '''Quetta Link Railway''' of the [[North Western Railway]](NWR). By this time the SP&DR had been amalgamated into NWR (1886). In 1890 orders were issued for laying an all season track through the Pass. This new track was inaugurated on April 15, 1897 and named the [[Mushkaf-Progress-Rly}}Bolan Railway]] as part of the NWR ‘Frontier Section (Military)' network <ref name=Admin1918/>  ==Further Information==See '''[[Bolan Pass Railway Construction]]''' ==References==<references />