Indian Railways is one of the largest railways networks in the world and the largest railways network to be operated by a single Government. It has been in operation since April 16, 1853 completing 164 years in 2017. Below are some amazing facts about Indian Railways.
1. First Train
A recent book found in IIT Roorkee library mentions that the first train in the country had run between Roorkee and Piran Kaliyar on December 22, 1851 and not two years later as widely known. The first train in India ran on 16 April, 1853 between Mumbai and Thane.
2. Longest Platform
A renovated platform at Gorakhpur Railway Station in Indian state of Uttar Pradesh has become the world's longest, measuring 1,366m. Until recently, Kharagpur in the Indian state of West Bengal was the longest platform at 1,072m, followed by State Street Center subway station in Chicago at 1,067m.
3. Locomotive Engine
Indian railways still has the oldest preserved locomotive in working order, the Fairy Queen which was made way back in 1855.
4. World's Largest Route Relay InterLocking System
On operational front, Delhi Main station entered the Guinness Book for having the world’s largest route relay interlocking system.
5. Darjeeling Himalayan Railways
Darjeeling Himalayan Railways attained the World Heritage Status from UNESCO.
6. Palace On Wheels
Lounge, Palace on wheels. Train tours offered by Maharajas Express, the Indian Maharaja, Deccan Odyssey and the Golden Chariot are the talk of luxury travel circuits around the world.
7. Fastest Train In India
Fastest train in India New Delhi-Bhopal Shatabdi Express is the fastest train in India. The all air-conditioned superfast train clocks a maximum speed of 150km/h on the Faridabad-Agra section. It also has the highest commercial speed – 89.87 km/h- and covers the 704 km New Delhi – Bhopal stretch in 7 hours 50 minutes.
8. Longest Distance By A Train
Longest run by a train Vivek Express from Dibrugarh to Kanyakumari travels a distance of 4273 km, making it the longest run in terms of total time and distance in Indian Railways.
9. Shortest Distance
Shortest run: Scheduled services between Nagpur and Ajni stations situated just 3km from each other – primarily meant for crew to travel from Nagpur station to the workshop at Ajni.
10. Shortest Name
Ib is a railway station in the Indian state of Odisha with the distinction of having the shortest name of all stations on the Indian Railways system.
11. Diamond Crossing Nagpur
As the Nagpur is located in central India, the Diamond crossing in Nagpur is one of a kind from where trains go East, West, North and South.
12. Oldest Station And Largest Railway Complex
Howrah: Howrah railway station is the oldest station and largest railway complex in India. It is one of the four intercity railway stations serving the city of Kolkata, the others being Sealdah Station, Shalimar Station and Kolkata railway station.
We are proud to be a part of such country and to have such mode of transportation. Well Done Indian Railways and Suresh Prabhu current Rail Minister is doing incredible work like Talco Train Trail and Glass Roof Coaches are name to few.