India’s oldest train has just completed 111 years of service know interesting details
[ad_1]
The starting station and name changed within two years
This train was previously operated from the Ballard Pier Mole station. But later it was transferred to Bombay VT or Victoria Terminus in 1914 due to operational reasons. Nowadays the name of this station has been changed to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus. The name of this train was also changed to Punjab Mail.
Initially only for gentlemen
Earlier only white gentlemen were allowed to board this train. In fact, British Raj officials posted in India at that time traveled with their families from Britain in the P&O Steamer Mail. The steamer journey between Southampton and Bombay took thirteen days. British officers had combined tickets for their travel from Britain to Bombay as well as for their inland travel by rail to their place of posting in India. So after deboarding the ship to Mumbai, they would further board trains to Madras, Calcutta or Delhi.
Later second and third class coaches were also added.
When this train started, it used to have only first class coaches. Only white gentlemen were allowed to board those coaches. Later, lower class coaches, meaning second class and third class coaches were also added to this train. After this, native people were also allowed to board this train.
no change in time
In the year 1914, the GIP route from Bombay to Delhi was about 1,541 km. Punjab Mail took 29 hours 30 minutes to cover this distance. In the 1920s the number of stoppages increased to 18, while the time decreased to 27 hours 10 minutes. But in the year 1972, this time further increased to 29 hours.
Electric locomotives fitted in 1980
An electric locomotive was added in the late 1970s. Initially WCAM/1 dual current locomotive was installed which used to come from Bombay to Bhusaval. Then it was gradually extended further. Now only electric engine is used in the entire journey of this train.
Initially steam, later diesel
This train started with a steam engine. In 1945, an air conditioned compartment was added to it. Initially, diesel engine was installed in this train from Bombay to Jhansi. Then it was extended till Delhi. From May 1, 1976, diesel engines were installed in this train for the entire journey. In this, the number of coaches was also increased from 12 to 15.
The fastest train of that time was
As on date, the fastest train of Indian Railways may be Vande Bharat Express. But when the Punjab Mail ran, at that time it was the fastest train in the country (The fastest train in British India). This train used to have a different glory. This train was very popular among the British who used to land in Mumbai by ship from England and then go to Delhi or Lahore by train.
completed 111 glorious years
Punjab Mail has completed 111 glorious years. Today this train has entered its 112th year. It started from a station named Ballard Pier Mole, located near the port of Bombay. After that it used to go till Peshawar Cantt via Itarsi, Agra, Dalli and Lahore. At that time its name was Punjab Limited.
The journey was closed in lockdown
All passenger train services were suspended from 22 March 2020 during the COVID-19 lockdown. During that time the wheels of Punjab Mail also stopped. After unlock it was re-introduced as special train from 1.5.2020. From 1.12.2020 Punjab Mail Special has started its journey with LHB coaches. The regular service of this train was started from 15.11.2021.
[ad_2]
Source link
