East Indian Railway: 1860 Opening Run

Note: This is a sub-section of the East Indian Railway

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Opening on the East Indian Railway

The following notes of a trip on the East India Railway from Howrah to Rajmahal and back appear in the Calcutta Englishman:

A special train left Howrah at 6.15 a.m. on the 22nd July, for Rajmahal, which place after several stoppages, it reached at 4.30 p.m. Thus the road from Calcutta to Rajmahal is practicality open, for the occasion of this special train was not that of an experiment, or a trial trip, but it was for a special purpose, and one that the Managers, and indeed all who are connected with the railway may well be proud of - it was to convey the first lady of the land from Rajmahal to Calcutta.

The train left Howrah at the exhilarating pace of forty-five miles an hour, and kept up this running to Burdwan, where breakfast was partaken of. After a short rest a fresh start was made, the junction soon reached, and as speed was no object, stoppages were made at places wherever any order had to be given, telegram to be despatched, engineers to be taken up, or work to be inspected.

The party consisted of G. Turnbull, Esq., engineer-in-chief; E. Palmer, Esq., agent; Lingard Stokes, Esq., locomotive superintendent; T. Batchelor, Esq., traffic manager; C. L. Adley, Esq., superintendent electric telegraphs; Captain Stanton, consulting engineer to the government of India; Captain the Hon. C. I. Stanley, A.D.C. to the Governor-General; Major W. S. Sherwill; and J. Wilson, Esq., barrister. The party were kindly housed by T. Vigors, Esq., district engineer at Rajmahal, whose house, built over the “Sungee Dullan,” or Stone Hall, an ancient Mohammedan building, overhangs the Gauges, commanding a beautiful view of the river, its numerous populated islands, and the bold projecting Rajmahal hills that dip down to the water's edge

The state of the line from the junction near Burdwan to Rajmahal is most creditable to all concerned. Great must have been the difficulties overcome, bad black cotton soil in some places that melts away under the influence of homoeopathic doses of water, and becomes converted into black mud, heavy and deep cuttings in others, cuttings that make a non-professional man shudder to his heels when he thinks of the masses of ponderous rock blasted and removed, rivers with almost uncontrollable streams that think lightly of rising to fabulous heights in a few hours, and that have beds broad enough for artillery practice-grounds ; then again every conceivable article, whether for railway purposes or for food, have had to be brought from great distances, some of which can only be measured by thousands of miles. But by the indomitable English perseverance, talent and kindness, all these difficulties, and many others besides, have been overcome; and lastly, the constructors of this great work have had to contend against an enemy more powerful and more to be dreaded than any of those yet mentioned; but by patience, care, and kindness, even this great difficulty has been overcome; and this was sickness amongst the workmen along the line, for the engineers, whose time and patience are so thoroughly occupied and tried whilst carrying out their great design, could still find time to administer to the wants of their humbler workmen, amongst whom cholera has lately created foul havoc.

To attempt a description of the great works on the newly opened up line in a mere letter would be an impossibility but I must make mention of a few. First in order is the immense bridge over the More river at Synthia. I can't tell you the number of arches contained in this bridge, because the very sight of the long row of the elegantly-turned arches which appears to be interminable, quite took away my breath. I was content to know that I was approaching and then crossing one of the greatest engineering works of India. The waters of the river, for the first time since the Creations now flow under the arches of a railway bridge, and that as quietly as if perfectly accustomed to such bridges. The water of this river, however, at times can and does perform feats of such boisterousness, that when the time does come for it to exert its force, the masonry will be sorely tried and, doubtless, will prove to be made of sterling stuff.

The next great work is the bridge over the Adjye, a magnificent piece of engineering of twenty-four arches; and equally excellent are the bridges over all the minor streams too numerous to mention.

The extensive cutting at Surrool, two miles in length, is as neat a piece of work as can be found in any part of England. There are several other cuttings, but I do not wish to burden your memory with mere name, of the localities.

The approach to the Rajmahal hills, from the very pretty scenery, is peculiarly pleasing, and as the train dashes through the cutting at the Seeta Pahar, you first of all marvel that such an undertaking should ever have been thought of, and then you wonder that it should ever have been accomplished. Not content with proclaiming their power to cut through hills, and with a cool contempt for anything like an obstruction, the engineers of the railway, upon forcing their way through the obstinately tough basaltic hill, quietly run their line right through the Jola Jheer, a huge lake, extending for miles in every direction. Here the scenery is very beautiful, and to the dust choked, wearied, and hot inhabitants of Calcutta, the change would indeed be a treat.

The public of Calcutta are to be congratulated upon their having such a place as Rajmahal to fly to, away from the heat and dust of Calcutta. A view of the hills with the heavy clouds hanging over their summits; of the bread Ganges which at Rajmahal is worthy the name of a river; perhaps a glimpse of the Himalayas, which are sometimes visible; a stroll amongst the Sonthal villages in the neighbourhood; a visit to the ancient ruins at Peer Pahar, to one or more of the hill villages at an elevation of 2,000 feet above the sea; a trip to the Motee Ghirna water-fall near Sikree Gullee, about fifteen miles from the station, where a small hill stream is precipitated over basaltic columns into a prettily wooded valley, or a visit to the ruins of the ancient city of Gour, form some of the many sights and enjoyments that present themselves at Rajmahai, to see and to enjoy which I would strongly recommend the inhabitants of Calcutta to put themselves into the train during the appreciating Doorga Pooja holidays, by which time it is likely that the line will be open for passenger traffic. For sports- men there is abundant occupation; the islands in the river not a hundred yards from the station will yield a goodly bag of hog, deer, frankolin, partridges, wild hog and tigers; whilst nearer the hills rhinoceros, tigers, jungle-fowl, pea-fowl, and other game, are met with.

Let us all hope that this successful opening up of the line from Calcutta to Rajmahal is but the prelude to a good road to Darjeeling being constructed; where, instead of being half smothered in dust, nearly worried to death by musquitos, and tempers quite destroyed by the heat, the inhabitants of Calcutta may be enabled to try what mountain air is like, and sharp, crisp, and bracing will they find it, totally free from dust and musquitos, and from the villanous smell of Calcutta; but they will find plenty of blackbirds, robins thrushes, and nightingales instead, to remind them of dear old England, and the nearest approach to a musquito bite that they can hope to attain to, will be a thumping good sting from a stinging nettle, or a rasping tear across the leg by a blackberry bush ; and instead of knocking your head against punkahs, you may expect your hat to be dented in by falling acorns or walnuts.

Let us hope even that the time is not far distant when the inhabitants of Calcutta will able to spend their holidays on the slopes of the Himalaya, and gaze upon the snowy peaks and blue glaciers.

The train left Rajmahal at 6.15 a.m., on the 25th, on its return towards Calcutta, arriving safe at Howrah at 4 p.m. The whole country for forty miles south of Rajmahal was under water from the three previous days' heavy rain; the rivers were in all cases very full; some had left their beds, and were spreading over the country, putting the embankments to a severe test, but they had stood firmly; and along the whole line, with the exception of the usual moderate subsidence of new earth, not an impediment was met with, though thousands of workmen are still engaged trimming and turfing the slopes, filling up holes, digging tanks, erecting telegraphs and water tanks, building houses and stations; and although the line is a single one, and engines are engaged daily in running up and down the line, not an approach to an accident occurred.

The real saloon carriage attached to the special train is a beautiful piece of coach-building; the greatest liberality having been exercised in its construction, ornaments, and furniture.

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See Also

• East Indian Railway