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DID YOU KNOW?
Oldest Narrow Gauge Line
In early 1850s, Khanderao, the Maharaja of Vadodara built a line between Miyagam Karjan and Dabhoi. It was on 2’6” gauge with rails weighing 13 lbs to a yard. The line was designed and constructed by A W Forde. A pair of oxen used to haul trains composed of four to six vehicles. In 1863, Khanderao purchased three steam locomotives built by Neilson and Co, Glasgow. These 0-4-0 ST locomotives proved to be too heavy for the rails. During the reign of Malharrao in 1871, the old rails were removed and new rail 30 lbs to a yard were laid. The 32.3 km Miyagam-Dabhoi line was reopened for traffic on April 8, 1873. Today this is the oldest NG line still in use for daily passenger traffic. However for history buffs, the world’s oldest NG line was built in 1869. It connected Portmadoc in North Wales with Festiniog and its slate quarries. It closed down in the 70’s before being restored for special tourist runs.
VIKAS SINGH, RAIL ENTHUSISAST
Courtesy National Rail Museum
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