shot-button
Subscription Subscription
Home > Mumbai > Mumbai News > Article > New book traces Railways journey from British era to Train 18

New book traces Railways journey from British era to Train 18

Updated on: 31 August,2019 11:21 AM IST  | 
PTI |

"The entire book is just a collection of anecdotes and traces the history of railways without any comment," he said.

New book traces Railways journey from British era to Train 18

The book has a chapter on making of Train 18, metro trains and former railway minister Lalu Prasad Yadav

A new book on the history of Indian Railways chronicles the journey of the national transporter from the 1830s to the new high-speed Train 18 and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ambitious bullet train project. The book, "A Short History of Indian Railways", has been penned by veteran journalist and author Rajendra B Aklekar.


Aklekar has already chronicled a few other books on Indian Railways. The book's foreword has been written by eminent journalist Mark Tully, who lauds the book for its fascinating story-telling and carefully-curated topics and its interesting description on Indian Railways. The book documents several untold stories of the first train, the role of Railways in India's freedom struggle, including incidents like the Kakori train dacoity, a plot to blow up Mahatma Gandhi's train, and also quirkier stories of rail ghosts, demons and haunted rail lines.


"A chapter on the making of India's fastest Train 18 Vande Bharat Express, metro trains and former railway minister Lalu Prasad Yadav's fare cut principles gives this book an edge over other books written on railways," Aklekar said. Asked what prompted him to come up with another book on the transport behemoth, he said there are several facts about the railways that people are not aware of. "I have tried to touch these facts with journalistic perspective," he said.


"The railways in India begun its journey in the 1830s, almost 15 years before the official train run of 1853. I always wanted to write a book to tell the story of Indian Railways through its own stories. "The entire book is just a collection of anecdotes and traces the history of railways without any comment," he said.

Catch up on all the latest Crime, National, International and Hatke news here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates

"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