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)
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.