Historical and iconic photos of Indian Railways

Railways were first introduced to India in 1853. By 1947, the year of India's independence, there were 42 rail systems. In 1951 the systems were nationalised as one unit, the Indian Railways, becoming one of the largest networks in the world.

Indian Railways operates both long distance and suburban rail systems on a multi-gauge network of broad, metre and narrow gauges. It also owns locomotive and coach production facilities.

Let's have a look at some historical and iconic photos of the railway network.

First Great Indian Peninsula Railway EMU.

Inauguration of electric traction by the GIPR, 1925.

GIPR's Wadi Bunder viaduct, Mumbai, 1925.

Poster of the Deccan Queen, 1930.

Steam-hauled train ascending the Bhore Ghat, 1929.

A view of a train between Bhusaval and Mumbai, 1924.

Poona Mail at the then-new Poona station.

The Frontier Mail on Old Vasai Creek bridge, Maharashtra.

South Indian Railway's electric locomotive with battery tender in 1931.

Trial run of a double decker car built by Indian Coach Factory.

Three hundred horsepower new diesel Tisco #25, 1936.

The notings on the reverse of the photograph says 'Ice for the air conditioned coach of the Frontier Mail -1' Bayana Junction, Rajasthan, 11-9-42.

The air conditioned coach of Frontier Mail at Ratlam Junction. The notings on the reverse of the photgraph says 'Ratlam Junction' 11-9-42.

This photograph was taken at Chalisgaon, Maharashtra, of the Frontier Mail. Notings on the reverse 'Chalisgaon, 2.9.42

The notings on the reverse says 'Yours Truly watching the passing pageant!', Lakheri, Rajasthan, September 11th, 1942.

D1 class 4-4-0 locomotive No. 248. It was known as `Princess May'.

An earlier locomotive of BBCIR, No. 8 became known as `Palej'. It was an A class 2-4-0T locomotive built by Robert Stephenson & Co in 1881.

A metre gauge BBCIR locomotive. No. 98 was a B class 0-4-4 tank locomotive built by Dubs in 1874. Earlier examples were built by Naysmth Wilson.

The location of this picture could be Ajmer Works.

A view of Bombay Central.

Another view of Bombay Central.

A view of the Churchgate Station, Mumbai, around 1956.

Route controllers at work.

Passengers disembark from narrow gauge train at station in Alipore, Diamond Harbor Road and the canal, Maharashtra. Photo taken in 1944.

A train gets ready for departure.

Flooded railway tracks in Mumbai, 1935.

A view of Pune Station, around 1905.

Railway accident on July 7, 1931.

Charbagh Railway Station in Lucknow.

An early image of Victoria Terminus Station from a postcard sent in 1904.

 

India's longest-running train, the Vivek Express, from Dibrugarh in Assam to Kanyakumari.

Its journey takes 83 hours or three-and-a-half days - and it stops at 54 stations in eight states.