DID YOU KNOW?
The first railway train in India made its inaugural run on April 16,1853, from Boribunder, Bombay to Thana, a distance of 34 km.The track was broad gauze (5’ 6"), chosen after much deliberations by British government. However, by 1868 it was felt that further extensions were possible only with light railways. Sir John Lawrence advocated adoption of narrower gauge. His successor Lord mayo recommended 3’ 3" gauze. Finally in December 1871,metre gauze was officially accepted. Anderson committee was set up under aegis of BB&CIR (Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway) for development of Rajputana Malwa railway in North India. On January 26,1866, after British government got approval from princely states of Bharatpur, Alwar, Jhalwar, Pratpgarh, Sirohi and Tonk, work commenced. Finally on February 14, 1873, the mainline from Delhi to Rewari (84 km) and a branch line from Garhi Harsaru to Farukhnagar (12.3 km) were opened. The first meter gauge engines to work on this line were A class 2-4-0 tank engines.