shot-button
Subscription Subscription
Home > Lifestyle News > Health And Fitness News > Article > The train ride back in time

The train ride back in time

Updated on: 16 April,2013 11:49 AM IST  | 
Dhara Vora |

Asia's first railway train chugged out from Bori Bunder and reached faraway Tannah (today's Thane) on April 16, 1853. To celebrate this historic ride that shaped the future of Indian Railways, The Guide's Dhara Vora set out on the rewind track on the eve of the 160th anniversary of the first passenger train ride

The train ride back in time

Heritage wing at cst
To revisit the history of Indian Railways, visit the Heritage Wing located inside Central Railway headquarters at CST. The archive houses miniature models as well as memorabilia such as gadgets used in the trains of yesteryear. The visit also includes a tour inside the heritage structure.
Cost: Rs 200, Rs 100 for studentsu00a0
Open: 3 pm to 5 pm, Saturdays and
Sundays closed



Ride rewind: Thousands gather to witness a re-enactment of the first train ride on its 150th anniversary in 2003



Great legacy: Like the trams, the trains, too, faced doubts of the locals, and Great Indian Peninsula Railways had to advertise their services. A vintage advertisement of GIPR



Bridge over Thane creek a year later after the first train ride in 1853, Mumbai witnessed another first — the first Indian railway bridge, which was completed in 1854 over Thane Creek pics courtesy/central railway archives


Locomotive history: Three locomotives, Sahib, Sindh (in picture) and Sultan, manufactured by Vulcan Foundry; England, pulled the 14 coaches carrying 400 passengers


Scense from KurlaLA Passengers waiting at Kurla station in 1925

Google Doodle
Google doodle celebrates India's first passenger train. Courtesy: Google

Google's doodle Tuesday celebrated India's first passenger train journey With a chugging train trailing a plume of smoke in a backdrop of palm trees and what looks like a palace with domes and minarets.

Rail rendezvous
>> It’s not just our current politicians and bureaucrats who do this, but the first proposal for the railways was submitted in 1840, but by 1844, it was mooted. Most senior officials either vehemently opposed to the plan or just delayed discussing the subject.
>>u00a0u00a0The Great Indian Peninsula Railway (GIPR) Company was formed in Bombay in 1846 and they built their railway terminus in Bori Bunder in 1850.
>>u00a0u00a0The steam carriages were referred to as ‘ag gadi’ (because of their fiery appearance — thanks, to the steam from the engine).
>>u00a0u00a0Unlike the CST building, which was completed in May 1888, Bori Bunder station was located behind today’s Dhobi Ghat and was just a make-shift wooden structure.
>>u00a0u00a0The first train left Bori Bunder at 3.30 pm and took one hour and 15 minutes to cover approximately 21 miles to Thane.
>>u00a0u00a0The then Governor Lord John Elphinstone flagged off India's first ever rail journey while His Excellency's band played in one of its carriages and that day was declared a holiday. Eminent citizens like Sir Jamserjee Jeejeebhoy were on that train.

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!


Mid-Day Web Stories

Mid-Day Web Stories

This website uses cookie or similar technologies, to enhance your browsing experience and provide personalised recommendations. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. OK