Indians have always been fascinated by our railway transport system. Indian Railways not only connects different places but also touches our hearts, regardless of race, religion, or class. The railways are a common thread that binds Indians together. The intricate railway lines symbolize the vision of our Constitution makers, who emphasized that there should be no bias based on background.
The railways offer us the opportunity to explore, learn about other people, and discover new places. Did you know that the railways are also a major carrier of both people and goods? You’ll be surprised to learn that IRCTC sells more than 1.3 million tickets daily, and thousands of passengers do PNR Enquiry of their Train Running Status every second. These facts will make your favorite mode of transport feel even more special.
1. A Heritage 169 Years Old
- Founded: April 16, 1853
- First Passenger Train Journey: 34 kilometres from Mumbai’s Bori Bunder to Thane
- Locomotives: Sahib, Sultan, and Sindh
- Wagons: 3014
2. Indian Railways Has Its Own Mascot
- Mascot: Bholu, an elephant dressed as a guard
- Designed By: National Institute of Design in 2002
- Adopted: Officially in 2003
3. First Railway Workshop in Bihar
- Location: Jamalpur, near Munger in Bihar
- Established: 1862, before India’s independence
4. The 4th Largest Rail Network in the World
- Total Length: 132,310 km kilometers
- Global Rank: Fourth, after the US, China and Russia
- Electrified Network: Over 45,000 kilometers
5. Railways Owns Four UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- Sites:
- Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (Mumbai)
- Nilgiri Mountain Railway
- Kalka Shimla Railway
- Potential Additions: Matheran Light Railway, Kangra Valley Railway
6. 34 Operational Rail Museums with Heritage Galleries and Parks
- Rail Museums: 34 in operation, 3 under construction
- Key Museum: Delhi Rail Museum (National Rail Museum of India)
7. Indian Railways Has the Longest Platform in the World
- Current Longest: Gorakhpur Railway Station, Uttar Pradesh (1,366 meters)
- Upcoming Longest: Hubli Junction Railway Station, Karnataka (1,505 meters)
8. Luxurious Rides
- Royal Trains:
- The Maharajas’ Express
- The Golden Chariot
- The Deccan Odyssey
- The Palace on Wheels
9. The Longest and Shortest Train Rides
- Longest:
Vivek Express (Kanyakumari to Dibrugarh) – 4,189 kilometers in 82 hours 30 minutes - Shortest: 3 kilometers (Nagpur to Ajni)
10. Indian Railways Has Two Different Stations at the Same Location
- Locations: Srirampur and Belapur in Ahmednagar, on the same track but opposite sides
11. Mathura Junction Is the Starting Point for a Large Number of Routes
- Rail Lines: 7 lines converge at Mathura Junction Railway Station
12. 94% of Railways’ Earnings Are Spent on Operating It
- Expenditure: 94% of earnings spent on train operations
13. Diamond Crossing: Indian Railways’ Unique Feature
- Crossing Location: Where two railway lines running North-South intersect with two tracks running East-West
14. World’s Highest Rail Bridge
- Bridge: Over the Chenab River in Jammu & Kashmir
- Height: 1,178 feet above the river
15. The Largest Employer in the Country
- Employees: Approximately 1.4 million workers
16. Pir Panjal: India’s Longest Rail Tunnel
- Location: Pir Panjal Range of the Middle Himalayas in Jammu & Kashmir
- Length:25 kilometers
17. Howrah Junction Is the Busiest Railway Station
- Platforms: 23 platforms at Howrah Junction
- Passengers: Over 1 million daily
18. Electrical Appliances Operate at 110 Volts in Rail Coaches
- Appliances: Bulbs, sockets, and fans in rail coaches operate at 110 volts
19. The Resonance Frequency of Train Suspension Matches the Human Body
- Design: Rail coaches have a resonance frequency close to 1.2 Hz, matching the natural frequency of the human body
20. The Oldest Working Locomotive
- Locomotive: Fairy Queen, built in 1885
- Route: Runs between Delhi and Alwar
Did You Know These Additional Facts About Indian Railways?
- Slowest Train: The Mettupalayam – Ooty Nilgiri Passenger, with an average speed of 10 km/h.
- Fastest Train: The Vande Bharat Express, also known as Train 18, with an average speed of 160 km/h and a maximum speed of 180 km/h.
When Was Indian Railways Nationalized?
- Year: 1951
- Significance: Now Asia’s largest rail network.
Why Are the Railways So Important in India?
Indian Railways is the lifeline for millions of people in the country, playing a significant role in the nation’s economic and social development. It’s an affordable transport system for both people and goods. The Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL), owned by Railways, works to enhance the railway’s efficiency by constructing dedicated freight corridors. Additionally, Indian Railways is working on the Diamond Quadrilateral project to create a high-speed network.
In India, the railways are the largest employer, and many people rely on rail services for travel and their livelihoods. Various apps and services are linked to Indian Railways, providing passengers with a range of tools and conveniences.