OOPS Sorry I forgot to attach the photos.
Here they are.

On Sat, 12 Sep 2009 18:34:23 +0530  wrote
>Hi Model Train Lovers,
>Here are iniial photos[by Mobile] of Sultan, the locomotive which
>put India on Railway Map. This locomotive pulled [along with other two]First
Train of India from Bombay to Thana on 15th April 1853.
>Model is ScratchBuilt and I have tried to make it to fit 'O'guage.
>Attached photos are by mobile Camera[courtsey Sagar Narvekar] so are not clear.
Better photos by courtsey of Rajesh Kale will follow.
>Pl. acnowledge the receipt with your observations/comments.
>
>Ullhas Chogle
> 9967815057

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi Model Train Lovers,
Here are iniial photos[by Mobile] of Sultan, the locomotive which
put India on Railway Map. This locomotive pulled [along with other two]First
Train of India from Bombay to Thana on 15th April 1853.
Model is ScratchBuilt and I have tried to make it to fit 'O'guage.
Attached photos are by mobile Camera[courtsey Sagar Narvekar] so are not clear.
Better photos by courtsey of Rajesh Kale will follow.
Pl. acnowledge the receipt with your observations/comments.

Ullhas Chogle
  9967815057

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hello everyone,

Some success- Bombay Railway History Group. Check the attached images.

Have managed to save some GIPR heritage.

The final demolition of the Masjid road over bridge is complete. But the plaques
that you see in the pic, old cast iron gas lamps with vivid carvings have been
saved from the hammer. The huge structures were two days ago crane-lifted from
the site and now are in safe custody of CR. Thanks to Central Railway. They will
now be moved to the railway museum at CST.

The bridge was built in 1857, when the Indian Mutiny was on, and completed in
1867, ten years later. The booking office had come up later in 1924.

regards
raj
Bombay Railway History Group

Check the following blog webpage link every week for update on mumbai railways
history and heritage..

Pics of the last remains of the track being demolished at Bhandup stn.

http://bombayrailwayhistorygroup.blogspot.com/

regards
raj 9892 190 761

> Hello,
>
> A message has been sent to the brhg group from
>
>   ullhaschogle@...
>
RAILROADS -



Does  the statement, 'We've always done it like that'
ring any  bells?Read this email to the very end;
You'll  love it!!


The  US  standard railroad gauge (distance between the
rails) is 4 feet, 8.5 inches.  That's an exceedingly
odd number. Why was that gauge used?

Because  that's the way they built them in England,
and English expatriates built the US  Railroads.

Why  did the English build them like  that? Because
the first rail lines were built by the same people who
built the pre-railroad tramways, and that's the gauge
they used.

Why  did 'they' use that gauge then?

Because the people who built the tramways used the
same jigs and tools that they used for building
wagons, which used that wheel spacing.

Okay! Why did the wagons have that particular odd
wheel spacing?

Well, if they tried to use any other spacing, the
wagon wheels would break on some of the old, long
distance roads in England, because that's the spacing
of the wheel ruts.

So who built those old rutted roads?

Imperial Rome built the first long distance roads in
Europe (and England) for their legions.  The roads
have been used ever since.

And the ruts in the roads?

Roman war chariots formed the initial ruts, which
everyone else had to match for fear of destroying
their wagon wheels.  Since the chariots were  made for
Imperial Rome, they were all alike in the matter of
wheel spacing.

The United States standard railroad gauge of 4 feet,
8.5 inches is derived from the original specifications
for an Imperial Roman warchariot.  And bureaucracies
live forever.

So the next time you are handed a specification and
wonder what Horse's Ass came up with it, you may be
exactly right, because that's what the Imperial Roman
army figured. Chariots were made just wide enough to
accommodate the back ends of two war horses.

Now, the twist to the story.

When you  see a Space Shuttle sitting on its launch
pad, there are two big  booster rockets attached to
the sides of the main fuel tank.  These  are solid
rocket boosters or SRBs. The SRBs are made by Thiokol
at their factory at Utah. The engineers who designed
the  SRBs would have preferred to  make them a bit
fatter, but the SRBs had to be shipped by train from
the factory to the launch site.

The  railroad line from the factory happens to run
through a tunnel in  the mountains. The  SRBs had to
fit through that  tunnel.The tunnel is slightly wider
than the railroad track, and the railroad track, as
you now know, is about as wide as two horses' behinds.
So, a major Space Shuttle design feature of what is
arguably the world's most advanced transportation
system was determined over two thousand years ago by
the width of a horse's ass.

- And  - You thought being a HORSE'S ASS wasn't
important!

Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Have found an 1904 dated hexagonal plaque on a culvert betwen Dadar
and Elhinstone Raod. To my knowledge, this is the odlest surving one
still that is in service.

regards
raj

MUMBAI: Despite having constructed regional rail museums (RRM) in
all other regions, Indian Railways had ignored the western region,
until now. Finally, the ministry of railways has identified land at
the picturesque Lonavla ghat and allocated funds to create a Western
regional museum displaying artifacts and the history of rail in five
states, including Maharashtra.

The railways would start the museum with a temporary display of
historic tidbits and artifacts at Lonavla station sometime around
October 15 this year. Meanwhile, the ministry has also started the
process of selecting a technical consultant who would guide
officials on the architecture of a permanent museum building. The
consultant is likely to be appointed before October 15, said
officials.

Rajesh Agrawal, executive director (heritage) at Railway Board, said
the ministry had earlier decided to construct the museum in Pune.
However, the plan was abandoned a few months ago because of the high
land prices in the software capital of Maharashtra, he
said. "However, now the railways has identified a plot close to
Lonavla station to construct the regional museum. It would show the
history of rail in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh
and Rajasthan,'' he said.

The Lonavla site was also chosen considering it's hill station
status and the fact that it attracts hundreds of tourists.

Incidentally, Indian Railways already has regional museums at
Chennai, Kolkata and Delhi to represent southern, eastern and
northern regions' rail history. The western region was ignored
despite the fact that the Great Indian Peninsular (GIP) railway or
the present-day Central Railway (CR) was the country's first rail
company incorporated in 1849. India's first train too steamed out on
it's maiden run from Boribunder (CST) to Thane, a distance of 21
miles in 1853.

Better late than never.

Agrawal said people visiting the museum would be reminded of several
forgotten facts. "In 1862, GIP railway commissioned three double-
decker coaches for the first time. These had a capacity of 120
passengers with 70 seats in the lower tier and the rest on the upper
deck,'' he said.

PRI
RAIL-STEAM
Railways to showcase steam locos during Commonwealth Games
New Delhi, Mar 30 (PTI) Come 2010, steam locomotives will be back on
tracks in Delhi.
The Railways have decided to run steam trains on the Delhi ring
railway route as part of its Heritage Experience Plan for the
Commonwealth Games.
The train consisting of six heritage coaches with a steam locomotive
would start from Safdarjung station and travel to Anand Vihar, Old
Yamuna Bridge, Old Delhi, New Delhi and Nizamuddin station before
returning to Safdarjung.
"We are working out details of the project. The aim is to showcase
our heritage properties by facilitating visitors to have a glimpse
of these during the Games in 2010," said a senior Railway Ministry
official.
One will be able to visit the Red Fort, Chandni Chowk, National Rail
Museum, historic Old Yamuna Bridge, Humayun's tomb and rail
buildings such as Old Delhi station, Kashmere Gate and Baroda House
travelling by the steam train journey.
"However, we have not decided the fares yet. There will be two
options. One can opt for the round trip or the hop-on-hop-off
ticket," said the official and added a steam loco timetable will be
published soon.
Railways are also trying to involve Delhi government and Tourism
Ministry in its endeavour to make the steam loco experience a
successful venture.
"Steam locomotives are the very heart of Railways' heritage. We will
take all possible measures to promote heritage tourism through our
steam locomotives," Railways Minister Lalu Prasad has said in his
budget speech.
      Railway heritage is a veritable treasure. Darjeeling Himalayan
Railways, Nilgiri Mountain Railways and Chatrapati Shivaji Railway
Terminus have all been inscribed by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites.
The Kalka Shimla Railway is also likely to be conferred this status
in the near future.
      There are about 25 steam locomotives in working condition for
use at identified routes across the country.
      "We have made a policy for keeping steam locos alive as part of
our heritage and not to condemn them," said the official and
added "Rewari Steam Centre is being developed as a full-fledged
maintenance facility unit in the country."
      "The era of steam is not over in India and for the romance of
steam we will have locomotives for display and for heritage
tourism," said the official.
      Besides the steam locos, commissioning of Anand Vihar railway
station and expansion of New Delhi railway station adding four more
platforms are also on the card before the Games.
      Work is on for adding more passenger amenities at New Delhi
station, Tilak Bridge station, Sarai Rohilla station and Shakarpur
station, said Sri Prakash, GM of the Northern Railway and added all
these facilities would be ready before the Games. PTI ARU KC
HJ
03301022 DEL

NNNN

PRI
RAIL-STEAM
Railways to showcase steam locos during Commonwealth Games
Arun Kumar Das
New Delhi, Mar 30 (PTI) Come 2010, steam locomotives will be back on
tracks in Delhi.
The Railways have decided to run steam trains on the Delhi ring
railway route as part of its Heritage Experience Plan for the
Commonwealth Games.
The train consisting of six heritage coaches with a steam locomotive
would start from Safdarjung station and travel to Anand Vihar, Old
Yamuna Bridge, Old Delhi, New Delhi and Nizamuddin station before
returning to Safdarjung.
"We are working out details of the project. The aim is to showcase
our heritage properties by facilitating visitors to have a glimpse
of these during the Games in 2010," said a senior Railway Ministry
official.
One will be able to visit the Red Fort, Chandni Chowk, National Rail
Museum, historic Old Yamuna Bridge, Humayun's tomb and rail
buildings such as Old Delhi station, Kashmere Gate and Baroda House
travelling by the steam train journey.
"However, we have not decided the fares yet. There will be two
options. One can opt for the round trip or the hop-on-hop-off
ticket," said the official and added a steam loco timetable will be
published soon.
Railways are also trying to involve Delhi government and Tourism
Ministry in its endeavour to make the steam loco experience a
successful venture.
"Steam locomotives are the very heart of Railways' heritage. We will
take all possible measures to promote heritage tourism through our
steam locomotives," Railways Minister Lalu Prasad has said in his
budget speech.
      Railway heritage is a veritable treasure. Darjeeling Himalayan
Railways, Nilgiri Mountain Railways and Chatrapati Shivaji Railway
Terminus have all been inscribed by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites.
The Kalka Shimla Railway is also likely to be conferred this status
in the near future.
      There are about 25 steam locomotives in working condition for
use at identified routes across the country.
      "We have made a policy for keeping steam locos alive as part of
our heritage and not to condemn them," said the official and
added "Rewari Steam Centre is being developed as a full-fledged
maintenance facility unit in the country."
      "The era of steam is not over in India and for the romance of
steam we will have locomotives for display and for heritage
tourism," said the official.
      Besides the steam locos, commissioning of Anand Vihar railway
station and expansion of New Delhi railway station adding four more
platforms are also on the card before the Games.
      Work is on for adding more passenger amenities at New Delhi
station, Tilak Bridge station, Sarai Rohilla station and Shakarpur
station, said Sri Prakash, GM of the Northern Railway and added all
these facilities would be ready before the Games. PTI ARU KC
HJ
03301022 DEL

NNNN

Dear Rajendra,
> Railways still have 29 steam locomotives on working
>  condition.

This is music to my ears. May I know which ones are these.

Regards,

Viraf.

Railways still have 29 steam locomotives on working
condition and the approximate maintenance cost of
these engines for this fiscal is Rs 3.59 crore, Velu
said.
Signal failure: There were more than 38,000 cases of
signal failures during the last three years in the
country. The main reasons for the signal failure were
over-aged signalling assets, inadequate reliability of
equipment, human lapses in maintenance and operation
of gears and theft of field gears, he said.
First aid: First aid facilities are provided in all
trains. First aid boxes containing essential drugs and
dressing materials are available with the guards of
trains. The train superintendents, conductors and TTEs
are also trained in rendering first aid, Velu said.

   Bombay Railway History Group
   Rajendra Aklekar
   140-4752, Nehru Nagar, Mumbai.
   Maharashtra. India. PIN: 400 024
   Mobile: (91) 9892 190 761

(Note: The Bombay Railway History Group is an amateur railway heritage
conservation group working to conserve and document heritage and history on
Indian Railways. More details can be viewed at www.brhg.4t.com )




       __________________________________________________________
Sent from Yahoo! Mail.
The World's Favourite Email http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/nowyoucan.html

On 2/20/08, Rajendra Aklekar <rail_india@...> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
> hi all,
>
>  UK-based the Indian Railways Study Group was run by Kelvin White in
>  1991-3. When his work prevented Mr White from continuing and noboby
>  else volunteered to run the Group, it was closed down. Copies of the
>  documents listed here are available from the address given in the link
>  below.
>
>  http://users.breathe.com/pwa/borht/irsg.htm
>
>  regards
>  Rajendra Aklekar
>  09892 190 761
>  Mumbai
>
>

Dear Rajendra,

Mr.Kelwin White had made me an honourary menber of this group and I
have all it's newsletters.

Viraf.

hi all,

UK-based the Indian Railways Study Group was run by Kelvin White in
1991-3. When his work prevented Mr White from continuing and noboby
else volunteered to run the Group, it was closed down. Copies of the
documents listed here are available from the address given in the link
below.

http://users.breathe.com/pwa/borht/irsg.htm

regards
Rajendra Aklekar
09892 190 761
Mumbai

Sir,

thanks for raising the point. I was curious too, but paid a visit to
Nahur the other day and found that there's an old railway stone
structure built in the early 20th century that was used as a signal
cabin and rest room of the old GIP Railway.

the structure has original Manglorean tiles and teak beams. This
qualified as the heritage structure. Since it is bang oppiste Nahur
station and is in the station premises, the list included the name
of Nahur station.

Nahur station was officially opened 21 April 2006 and not in 2007.

Thanks and regards
Rajendra Aklekar
9892 190 761
Mumbai


--- In brhg@yahoogroups.com, "Ullhas  Chogle" <ullhaschogle@...>
wrote:
>
> Thanks for update.
> However surprised to see Nahur Stn listed as Grade IIb
> structure. The stn was built and commissioned in 2007.
> Explanation ?
>
> Ullhas Chogle
>
>   
>
>
> On Tue, 19 Feb 2008 Rajendra Aklekar wrote :
> >
> >http://www.mumbaimirror.com/net/mmpaper.aspx?
> >Page=article§id=2&contentid=20080211200802110214027174fcfb302
> >
> >--
> >Kurla stn is heritage bldg
> >
> >
> >Heritage conservation committee recommends 58 new structures
> >Sudhir Suryawanshi
> >
> >In order to preserve and maintain historical buildings in the
city,
> >the Mumbai Heritage and Conservation Committee has added 58
> >structures, including three railway stations and a cave at Borivli
> >National Park, on the list of heritage buildings.
> >
> >The new list will be submitted to the state government for final
> >approval next month.
> >
> >A year ago, the committee had appointed four taskforces to
identify
> >structures that could be included on the heritage list. The
> >taskforces had recommended 93 structures out of which 58 were
> >selected.
> >
> >The committee has divided the structures into two categories:
Grade
> >I and Grade IIB. In the current list, the Grade I status has been
> >awarded only to Kanheri Cave, while the remaining have been listed
> >as Grade IIB.
> >
> >The structures include Napean House at Balghanghadar Kher Marg,
> >Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan at K Munshi Marg, Pitale Maruti Mandi at
> >Balganghadar Marg and Fair View at Rupalel Marg.
> >
> >Besides, Nahur railway station, Kurla railway station and Bombay
> >Central railway station have also been awarded the Grade IIB
> >heritage status.
> >
> >A senior civic official said, "In this list, the Grade I heritage
> >status has given to only to Kanheri Cave (Shivaji Park and Cross
> >Maidan already enjoy the status). Therefore, any construction will
> >not be allowed in the surrounding area of the cave and the old and
> >historical monument will be preserved and maintained with care."
> >
> >Umesh Charankar, the BMC architect, said, "The list of recommended
> >structures will be tabled before the municipal commissioner and
> >subsequently to state government for approval."
> >
> >What's a `Grade-I' structure
> >This comprises building of historical importance or associated
with
> >important events, or a prime landmark of the city. Commercial
> >construction is not allowed in and around such structures. But if
> >need arises, it can be done only with the approval of Heritage
> >Committee
> >
> >What's a `Grade-II B' structure
> >This comprises structures of local importance or of special
cultural
> >and historical value. Small and essential construction is allowed
> >here, with the approval of the Heritage Committee.
> >
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

Thanks for update.
However surprised to see Nahur Stn listed as Grade IIb
structure. The stn was built and commissioned in 2007.
Explanation ?

Ullhas Chogle

   


On Tue, 19 Feb 2008 Rajendra Aklekar wrote :
>
>http://www.mumbaimirror.com/net/mmpaper.aspx?
>Page=article§id=2&contentid=20080211200802110214027174fcfb302
>
>--
>Kurla stn is heritage bldg
>
>
>Heritage conservation committee recommends 58 new structures
>Sudhir Suryawanshi
>
>In order to preserve and maintain historical buildings in the city,
>the Mumbai Heritage and Conservation Committee has added 58
>structures, including three railway stations and a cave at Borivli
>National Park, on the list of heritage buildings.
>
>The new list will be submitted to the state government for final
>approval next month.
>
>A year ago, the committee had appointed four taskforces to identify
>structures that could be included on the heritage list. The
>taskforces had recommended 93 structures out of which 58 were
>selected.
>
>The committee has divided the structures into two categories: Grade
>I and Grade IIB. In the current list, the Grade I status has been
>awarded only to Kanheri Cave, while the remaining have been listed
>as Grade IIB.
>
>The structures include Napean House at Balghanghadar Kher Marg,
>Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan at K Munshi Marg, Pitale Maruti Mandi at
>Balganghadar Marg and Fair View at Rupalel Marg.
>
>Besides, Nahur railway station, Kurla railway station and Bombay
>Central railway station have also been awarded the Grade IIB
>heritage status.
>
>A senior civic official said, "In this list, the Grade I heritage
>status has given to only to Kanheri Cave (Shivaji Park and Cross
>Maidan already enjoy the status). Therefore, any construction will
>not be allowed in the surrounding area of the cave and the old and
>historical monument will be preserved and maintained with care."
>
>Umesh Charankar, the BMC architect, said, "The list of recommended
>structures will be tabled before the municipal commissioner and
>subsequently to state government for approval."
>
>What's a `Grade-I' structure
>This comprises building of historical importance or associated with
>important events, or a prime landmark of the city. Commercial
>construction is not allowed in and around such structures. But if
>need arises, it can be done only with the approval of Heritage
>Committee
>
>What's a `Grade-II B' structure
>This comprises structures of local importance or of special cultural
>and historical value. Small and essential construction is allowed
>here, with the approval of the Heritage Committee.
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

http://www.mumbaimirror.com/net/mmpaper.aspx?
Page=article&sectid=2&contentid=20080211200802110214027174fcfb302

--
Kurla stn is heritage bldg


Heritage conservation committee recommends 58 new structures
Sudhir Suryawanshi

In order to preserve and maintain historical buildings in the city,
the Mumbai Heritage and Conservation Committee has added 58
structures, including three railway stations and a cave at Borivli
National Park, on the list of heritage buildings.

The new list will be submitted to the state government for final
approval next month.

A year ago, the committee had appointed four taskforces to identify
structures that could be included on the heritage list. The
taskforces had recommended 93 structures out of which 58 were
selected.

The committee has divided the structures into two categories: Grade
I and Grade IIB. In the current list, the Grade I status has been
awarded only to Kanheri Cave, while the remaining have been listed
as Grade IIB.

The structures include Napean House at Balghanghadar Kher Marg,
Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan at K Munshi Marg, Pitale Maruti Mandi at
Balganghadar Marg and Fair View at Rupalel Marg.

Besides, Nahur railway station, Kurla railway station and Bombay
Central railway station have also been awarded the Grade IIB
heritage status.

A senior civic official said, "In this list, the Grade I heritage
status has given to only to Kanheri Cave (Shivaji Park and Cross
Maidan already enjoy the status). Therefore, any construction will
not be allowed in the surrounding area of the cave and the old and
historical monument will be preserved and maintained with care."

Umesh Charankar, the BMC architect, said, "The list of recommended
structures will be tabled before the municipal commissioner and
subsequently to state government for approval."

What's a `Grade-I' structure
This comprises building of historical importance or associated with
important events, or a prime landmark of the city. Commercial
construction is not allowed in and around such structures. But if
need arises, it can be done only with the approval of Heritage
Committee

What's a `Grade-II B' structure
This comprises structures of local importance or of special cultural
and historical value. Small and essential construction is allowed
here, with the approval of the Heritage Committee.

Finally, some success. Have received  a number of responses, among
them is railway board heritage director Rajesh Agrawal, assuring
action.

Excerpts

My dear Aklekar,
You have a valid point. I would suggest you write to the the General
Manager Central Rly
and also seek an appoiintment with him.

Regards
G.Shankar
Indian Steam Railway Society
--------------------------------
Dear Rajendra Ji: I do hope that the guys were NOT colour blind to
have perpetrated such a blasphemy
                              Maybe this will come to you too late,
but please note, now there is lady GM/CR, Ms Soumya Raghavan, who
ought to be more colour conscious!-Sincerely, and with best wishes
for  Hppy New Year! Romesh Sethi.---- Former chairman railway board

-----------------------------------------
Hi,

we have to know what went wrong and what was correct. The correct
approach also, will need to be validated and agreed by Railways.

Similarly, for all aspects of CST, in terms of the ACC report; the
above should be spelt out.

In this manner, we can coordinate with C.Rly and ensure that things
are being managed properly rather than report something that is
later explained off by C.Rly; as in the case of this report.

Please coordinate with Vikas and see if we can make a white paper to
put across to C.Rly. He is meeting me in Delhi around end-January in
this connection.

Unfortunately, I missed meeting up with you yesterday.

Regards.

Rajesh Agrawal.
Executive director, heritage

Hi all,

The director of UNESCO's World Heritage Centre is paying a visit to
Mumbai CST station, a World Heritage Site on December 27-28.

In a shocking gesture, the CR has got painted the famous Star
Chamber of Mumbai CST station with some white paint to give it
a "great feel."

I belive we cannot do such a thing to a heritage structure, where
the original stone is sacrosanct.

Will someone intervene and please save this?

Have put up photos of workers painting the Star Chamber taken on the
evening of December 26 in photos' section.

Regards

Rajendra Aklekar
Bombay Railway History Group
www.brhg.4t.com
Mumbai, India
Mobile +91 9892 190 761
Email: railheritage(at)gmail.com
rail_india(at)yahoo.com

Hello, I live in Switzerland and I am interrested in Indian Railways
specially in the history of Transit systems in cities like bombay or
calcutta
Email address: tjuchler <thomas.juchler@...>

Railways dump heritage in the trash

MADE IN 1865, TILES CAME FROM MANGALORE

Rajendra Aklekar/Mumbai Dec 5

THE ORIGINAL 19th century Mangalorean clay tiles of the city's only
World Heritage Site, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, have found a
shocking resting place - a debris dump at the station premises.
These tiles were probably removed during the recent restoration
work.

Central Railway started waterproofing the terrace and plumbing
repairs and work is still in progress.

The Mangalorean clay tiles were manufactured and stamped by Basel
Mission Tile Works, and date back to 1865. They are being damaged by
exposure to debris and some have also been found broken.

According to research conducted by city historians Sharada Dwivedi
and Rahul Mehrotra, Basel Mission set up a tile-manufacturing
factory at Jeppo, Mangalore, in 1865. Easy availability of feldspar
on the banks of the Netravati in Mangalore and transport facilities
resulted in a major industry being established.

Tiles were exported throughout India, British East Africa, Aden,
Basra, Sumatra, Borneo and Australia. The company manufactured the
tiles in gasfired kilns and added salt glazes to make them last
longer. Pramod Kumar Singh, Central Railway's officer on special
duty (services), said he would comment only after he has checked the
facts.

rajendra.aklekar@...

New member introduction

Comment from user:
Avid steam railway buff, based in UK but shortly to be moving to Delhi
to work on various metro projects in India. I am keen to save any
examples of indian railway heritage.

Email address: railconsultant <martinallen01@...>

Churchgate parks historic steam engine

http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1133270


MUMBAI: It might not be illuminated at night might not be featured as
the face of Bollywood movies unlike the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus,
but Churchgate definitely is standing tall for over a century. And to
retain the vibrancy of this station which also deserves to be on the
World Heritage list, Western Railway officials are working towards
keeping this station ever vibrant.

Western Railway which houses its headquarters at Churchgate is
planning state-of-the-art heritage museum showcasing the century-old
legacy of its existence. And to begin with it, the steam engine built
in 1923 is being stationed outside the headquarter building opposite
the Churchgate station building.

This engine, built by WG Bagnall Ltd of Stafford in UK, has become an
attraction for daily office-goers some of whom even stop by to take a
glimpse of one of the heritage structures.

Strategically located, the station is at the centre of all important
cultural, social and economic activities of the city. Neither the
railway officials nor the nostalgic Fort area and the famous Eros
cinema hall will ever let the station grow old.

At a cost of Rs30,000 this engine was is use till 1993 in the
Bilimora-Waghai section in Gujarat of the Western Railway. Not only
this but the railways are also planning to draft a proposal
seeking `World Heritage Site' status for the Churchgate building from
the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation
(UNESCO).

The heritage museum, planned to be constructed at Bandra, would have
coaches, wagons, locomotives, tickets, time-tables and logos. "There
are large number of locomotives operating on narrow gauge in Baroda,
meter gauge in Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Bhavnagar, Jaipur. Since there are
no trains running on these locos, they have become outdated. We are
working towards restoring and maintaining them. But keeping them in
museums will serve no purpose. It needs to be assembled where people
will be able to appreciate the relics," said a senior railway
official.

WR bids for World Heritage status

A mixture of Indo-Saracenic and Venetian Gothic styles, the Western
Railway HQ was constructed in 1899 by the same architect who is
credited with the design of CST

Bella Jaisinghani I TNN

Mumbai: Following in the footsteps of Central Railway, Western
Railway is now making a bid to enlist its headquarters as a Unesco
World Heritage Site.
    CST has been declared a World Heritage Site for its grand English
Gothic architecture and a live site at that, thanks to the fact that
millions of people use it as a commuting hub and workplace.
    Located opposite Churchgate station, the Western Railway
headquarters is a Grade I heritage structure. A mixture of Indo-
Saracenic and Venetian Gothic styles, the blue basalt structure was
constructed in 1899 by architect Frederick William Stevens, the same
man credited with the design of the CST and the BMC headquarters.
    With its white stone dressings and domes, the WR headquarters
makes a pretty picture at any time of the day, and especially draws
onlookers when it is lit up in the evenings. The facade is currently
under repair. Conservation architect Abha Narain Lambah has been
entrusted with the task of repointing (cleaning the space between
stones) and stripping oil paint off the facade.
    Back in the days before land was reclaimed along Marine Drive,
the building overlooked the waters of the Arabian Sea. The waves
virtually lapped at the Western Railway headquarters. The trains did
not terminate at Churchgate then as they do now, they ran along the
shore all the way up to Colaba.
    The interiors of the building still seem to belong to another day
and age. Busts of the founders of the Bombay Baroda & Central India
(BB&CI) Railway, as the Western Railway was known then, have been
installed in the lobby.
    "It is the grand staircase that is the main attraction. Flowers
and creepers coloured bright red, yellow and green have been carved
out in the wrought iron railings,'' said conservation architect
Vikas Dilawari who backs the idea to nominate it for World Heritage
status.
    Commemorative plaques, old photographs and colourful models of
wagons line the route to various offices inside the building. A huge
brass plate on the first floor honours the memory of the loyal
servants of the BB&CI who lost their lives during the `Great War of
1914-18'. A smaller one at the entrance of the building proudly
recalls earning the gratitude of the Allied Forces for supplying
fighter aircraft. And the centrepiece of the grand conference room
is a set of models of locomotives from a bygone era.
    Although the exterior of a Grade I heritage structure cannot be
modified, some minor alterations have been carried out inside the
building keeping its functional use in mind. An elevator encased in
iron mesh runs its course under the tall arches.
    "The asbestos roof would seal in the summer heat so a false
ceiling was installed for the benefit of the staff working on the
upper storey,'' says a WR official, pointing to a gap in the ceiling
that reveals the original roof.
    No doubt the acquisition of a heritage tag for the structure will
instill pride in Mumbai's citizens, but conservationists warn that
the title must be followed up by maintenance and preservation.
    "Sadly, in this respect, the CST building does not set a good
example. It has been three years since it acquired the status of a
World Heritage Site, but windows remain broken and signages are
absent,'' says Dilawari.
    "Officials who display the will do not have power, whereas those
who have power lack the will,'' adds Dilawari.
    Tasneem Mehta of the Indian National Trust for Arts and Cultural
Heritage (INTACH), who along with Dilawari was instrumental in
helping CR acquire the coveted status, emphasises that recognition
comes with responsibility.
    "Unesco may ask whether CR has followed the covenant for the
preservation of a World Heritage Site. If it is found wanting, it
will impact WR's bid for similar status,'' she says.

A TALE OF TWO    STRUCTURES

Architect F W Stevens designed the headquarters of both CR at CST
and the WR opposite Churchgate station. While Victoria Terminus was
completed in 1888, the WR building came up in 1899
    The architectural design of both basalt structures is a mix of
Venetian Gothic and Oriental. The WR building cost Rs 7.5 lakh to
build while VT involved a precious sum of Rs 16 lakh
    VT is a C-shaped building whereas WR is a straight, elongated
one. Each has a small garden in the front
    While the domes are the crowning feature of the exterior of both
buildings, the interiors have similar arcades and verandahs.
The `piece de resistance' on the inside is the grand staircase made
of wrought iron. The floor of each is paved with Minton tiles
    Interestingly, the offices of both general managers are located
in the southwesterly direction so as to draw in the West Wind

W class steam loco outside Churchgate in Mumbai

hi,

check this article by me in mumbai edition of hindustan times.

http://www.brhg.4t.com/cgi-bin/i/images/steam_131007.gif

regards
raj 9892 190 761

Surely, it must occur to all of us that this would be a fine museum
in a great location (with real trains outside, of course!) as well as
the IRFCA/ HQ in Inidia!

/Geert

At 08:18 AM 9/9/2007, you wrote:

>CR to judge heritage value of stn shed
>
>Artefacts Could Be Sent To Rail Museum And Space Used As Barracks For
>RPSF Jawans
>
>TIMES NEWS NETWORK
>
>Mumbai: The Central Railway authorities are yet to evaluate the
>heritage worth of an old cargo shed near the newly-commissioned P
>D'Mello Rd entrance to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus.
>Artefacts that merit preservation will be despatched to the
>railway museum in Pune so that the space can be put to use, perhaps
>to construct barracks for the Railway Protection Special Force
>(RPSF).
>Long defunct, the cargo line near Carnac Bunder once connected
>Bombay port to the northwest of undivided India. In fact, it belonged
>to Western Railway, which dealt with traffic on that route. CR, which
>had its cargo shed at Wadi Bunder, catered to traffic from the north-
>east, east and south.
>"It is common knowledge that the shed on the east of CST has
>existed for decades,'' said Shriniwas Mudgerikar, chief public
>relations officer, CR. "We are yet to assess the heritage value of
>the artefacts at the location.''
>Once objects of beauty, the tall stone walls of the shed are now
>home to an assortment of jawans from the RPSF and Bangla-speaking
>migrants who claim they are from `Kolkata in Bihar'.
>Worn cobblestone platforms stand in stark contrast to the modern
>paver blocks and bright new ticket counters near the second entrance
>to CST at Carnac Bunder.
>Jawans from the special protection force can be seen cooking over
>a fire that is fuelled by an old wooden sleeper, while the opposite
>platform serves as a recreation room complete with cricket on live
>television.
>Sub-inspector M Balasubramaniam said a proposal was under
>consideration to convert the shed into barracks for RPSF jawans. A
>preliminary assessment was done recently when the authorities arrived
>to take measurements of the structure.
>Non-committal on the cargo shed's future, railway officials said
>they were aware of the need to safeguard the city's cultural
>heritage.
>The move to retain and restore the site must also fit in with CR's
>plans to turn CST into a world-class railway station. It has
>identified 22 stations that will earn a complete makeover, and CST
>occupies pride of place on that list.
>
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

CR to judge heritage value of stn shed

Artefacts Could Be Sent To Rail Museum And Space Used As Barracks For
RPSF Jawans

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Mumbai: The Central Railway authorities are yet to evaluate the
heritage worth of an old cargo shed near the newly-commissioned P
D'Mello Rd entrance to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus.
    Artefacts that merit preservation will be despatched to the
railway museum in Pune so that the space can be put to use, perhaps
to construct barracks for the Railway Protection Special Force
(RPSF).
    Long defunct, the cargo line near Carnac Bunder once connected
Bombay port to the northwest of undivided India. In fact, it belonged
to Western Railway, which dealt with traffic on that route. CR, which
had its cargo shed at Wadi Bunder, catered to traffic from the north-
east, east and south.
    "It is common knowledge that the shed on the east of CST has
existed for decades,'' said Shriniwas Mudgerikar, chief public
relations officer, CR. "We are yet to assess the heritage value of
the artefacts at the location.''
    Once objects of beauty, the tall stone walls of the shed are now
home to an assortment of jawans from the RPSF and Bangla-speaking
migrants who claim they are from `Kolkata in Bihar'.
    Worn cobblestone platforms stand in stark contrast to the modern
paver blocks and bright new ticket counters near the second entrance
to CST at Carnac Bunder.
    Jawans from the special protection force can be seen cooking over
a fire that is fuelled by an old wooden sleeper, while the opposite
platform serves as a recreation room complete with cricket on live
television.
    Sub-inspector M Balasubramaniam said a proposal was under
consideration to convert the shed into barracks for RPSF jawans. A
preliminary assessment was done recently when the authorities arrived
to take measurements of the structure.
    Non-committal on the cargo shed's future, railway officials said
they were aware of the need to safeguard the city's cultural
heritage.
    The move to retain and restore the site must also fit in with CR's
plans to turn CST into a world-class railway station. It has
identified 22 stations that will earn a complete makeover, and CST
occupies pride of place on that list.

http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20070025400

Heritage structure at CST found

  Anjali Doshi
Friday, September 7, 2007 (Mumbai)
The remains of century-old cargo shed has now been brought back to
light after the Central Railway recently opened a new entrance to the
150-year-old Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus, once known as the Victoria
Terminus.

''It was called the Karnad Shed and was operational till 1991, later
it fell out of use,'' said Shriniwas Mudgerikar, Chief PRO, Central
Railway.

The cargo shed was built much earlier in 1910 and could soon find a
place in the railway museum in Mumbai or Delhi.

Railway officials discovered the heritage value of the site - a cargo
shed - where goods used to be loaded onto trains in the early 20th
century.

The earlier plan was to demolish the structure and make a new
entrance to the railway station but that plan has now been put on
hold.

A steam operated iron crane was also found lost in the shrubbery. Yet
another example that underlines how even as early as 1910, Mumbai was
an important port of call for visiting trade ships.

Rlys clear historic Carnac Bunder station of slums

Rajendra Aklekar
Mumbai, Sept 7
FOLLWING media attention after the Hindustan Times report on the old
cargo station, the Central Railway on Friday cleared more than 25
slums that were present in the station complex. More than 65 dwellers
from 25 families had set up their shanties on this old Victorian age
station.

The railway administration however maintained that the slum
demolition was a part of routine clearances as Mumbai CST is a part
of the new proposed world-class stations.

Railway Protection Force officials on site said the occupants were
suspected to be Bangadeshi nationals as none of them could tell
clearly where they came from. The Central Railway had cleared land of
about 20 acres as a part of their project to open a second entrance
to Mumbai CST station along P D D'Mello Road.

The railway, however, did not demolish one particular cargo station
as the shed was found to have original teak furnishings and
cobblestone flooring. After HT highlighted this issue, this is the
first tangible step that the railway administration has taken on the
old shed.

"The slums have been cleared and the occupants will not be allowed to
set up their sheds again," a senior official said. The new entrance
and three new platforms were opened without fanfare on September 5.
Besides the old station, there is also an old steam-operated crane.
The railway proposes to send a few of these artifacts to the National
Railway Museum in New Delhi.

Dear Rajendra,

I have seen this shed in all it's glory as a kid and right thru my
youth in the 80s. As a kid I do recollect the shunting being done by
Steam Locos. I could hear them but couldn't see them since there was a
wall between the yard and VT mainline station. The head shunt was
towards the mainline terminus. The freight train would enter the yard
from mainline track no.4 and then reverse. Since it was a Western
railway yard the motive power those days even in 1980s was pure steam
so one would get a look of WGs and CWDs hauling the freight out of the
yard cross over to track 3 till Parel and then switch over to
Elphinstone Road on Western Railway. All the traffic would come to a
halt on C.Rly track Nos.1,2 & 3 for the train to cross over and it was
a lovely sight to see the steam loco (at times double headed) winding
it's long freight slowly for the W.Rly tracks.

It's good that the railways wokeup from their slumber. I suggest that
there should be regular interaction between our Railways and it's
ardent Rail Fans.

Regards,

Viraf.