Today completes 1 yr of me starting this blog. Last year, I had a desire to have my own blog, wherein I could express information with a greater freedom, than what Wikipedia offered. so I began this blog on 17th June, starting with an introduction for the entire site, where I expressed my intention and feelings about writing on railways, and this blog, and also how my interest began!
So, as a 1 year special, here I present to you the experience of traveling on India's first trains.While reading each part of what is written, I'd like you to imagine it. I specially wrote everything in such a manner, that enables you to picture the scenario, using imagery. Then, all will be more fun, than what simple reading can provide. Hope you enjoy the ride!
18th April, 1853
Today was an exciting day! As, today you had your first ride on the new railroad in Bombay. Your excitement had kept building up since the day of reading that advertisement in the Bombay Times of 8th April. You were sure to cut it out for reference. The railway opened this Saturday (16th April), but the event was for some special people only. So, you had only gone to see the train passing near the Byculla rail crossing. There was quite some crowd, but you could spot the train, being pulled by three long steam engines steaming towards Tannah (Thane). It was exciting for all to see such a event occur. But now, even you could relish the privilege of journeying through this new transport system.
You had to visit your friend living along the Chimaji Street (near the western edge of the fort) in the afternoon. So you decided to go to Mahim, rather than the faraway Tannah. Because, then you could both experience the novel transport system, and wind all up in 2 hrs, reaching back home at around 10 a.m, after leaving at 8 a.m.
[Reader's Note: When the first railway opened from Bori Bunder station in Bombay, besides going to Thane, there was a branch line till Mahim. While the mainline would continue northeastward toward Tannah, the branch line would veer west, to reach the fishing village of Mahim. It was relinquished in the mid 1860s]
You got up early at around 6 a.m. After competing morning chores, you had some Breakfast, and left home at around 7:15. Then, you headed towards the Bazaar Gate, walking on the Bazaar Gate Street. After quite some walk, looking at the moderately sized buildings, you exited the fort through the gate, and walked over the two moat bridges just outside. Then, you turn right, and walk close to the fort walls, and look at the water tank just left of you. You look just a bit further, and can finally see your station.
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| The Bori Bunder station in 1854 |
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| The Train Standing... |
At sharp 8 o' clock, a whistle blows, and with the application of a lever, the pistons begin their oscillations. The train departs from the 19 acre station, and heads up the down line. Soon come into view the Sepoy lines, a large extent of land, wherein the Native Brigade was stationed. And then there is the displeasing smell from the Slaughter Houses along the sea. Nonetheless, the train moves ahead the fairly straight track, and you spot buildings in the nearby Mandvi on the left, with the Carnac and Masjid Bunders at the right. Soon, you see smaller settlements, and then the Nowrojee Hill (where Sandhrust Rd station is today located). After passing the tall land-form, the train assumes a leftward turn, and after passing the Mazagaon Road Viaduct, you spot the Suddar Adalat, and the Police Office at Mazagaon. The curve goes gentle, and reverses direction to the East. And after traversing the curve, you pass the Byculla Rail crossing, and finally reach the Byculla station.
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| The Byculla station in 1854 |
Here, the train stops, the time being around quarter past 8. This would be its last stop before reaching Mahim. The train then lets out another whistle, and sets off for its destiny.
Soon, it goes under the beautiful Byculla viaduct, and leaves the tiny station. Now, you pass by the Phipps' Oart, a former toddy plantation site. You know it well, since you had visited it a year ago, to see Bombay's first locomotive in action. Lord Falkland as it was named, attracted large crowds of the native populace, to see a steam chariot pulling ballast wagons till Sion, ever since it was commissioned on 18th February 1852. The Locomotive had ferried ballast, to aid in the construction of the Bombay-Tannah line itself. It had also conducted an inspection special journey between the Sepoy lines and Parsik point in November last year, when officials inspected the route, accompanied by friends. It passes by pretty soon, and now you see patches of land outside. These were the Salt Batty lands, and rice was cultivated here.
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| Looking outside the windows.. |
The train now turned eastward, and set off for a fairly straight track till Sion. Faraway, you see tall trees, a part of the Mahim Woods. After a few minutes of looking at the countryside-like region, the train makes another sharp turn. You reach the curve of the Mahim Branch line, a single line going alone towards Mahim, while the Main line continues for Tannah. You spot the signal cabins, from where the junction was all controlled. Then you realise that the end of the journey is close. The train now makes a final curve towards the west, and slows down to halt at the terminus at Mahim. You arrive at sharp 8:40 at the serene fishing village at Mahim. Nearby was a lush forest, close to a marshland.
You get off the train, and turn to have a look at it. You had just been ferried to the Northern part of the Island from its extreme south in merely 40 minutes. You amaze at this thought, and after a while, decide to have a stroll in some nearby regions, like a windmill that was situated nearby, to pass the time. You'd have to wait till about 9:20, when the return train would depart towards Bombay.
Even while walking away, you have glances of the train, the new and quick ferry between faraway locations, which offered also a quick tour of all the unique and diverse sights, that lay between the two end points.
Thanks for the Scroll!
External Links-
- A hi-res scan of an 1840s map of Bombay's Fort- Google Arts and CultureGoogle Arts and Culture
- An 1855 Map of Bombay: The Fort can be seen in Bottom Left, with Bori Bunder Station just right of it.- Wikimedia CommonsWikimedia Commons
