20 Interesting Facts About Indian Railways

Running through the whole country like a network of veins, Railways are truly the lifeline of India. It connects the largest democracy through its length and breadth.

Read More: Special Train for Promoting Religious Tourism in India

People from the far flung corners of the country can travel to completely opposite geographical locations without any hassle through train and that too at a cost not burning a hole in their pocket.

Also Read: History of Indian Railways – 1853 to 2018

Read More: Special Train for Promoting Religious Tourism in India

The following are some interesting facts about Indian Railways that are sure to leave you amazed:

• The foundation of the railway network was laid in 1853 during British rule. It is thus regarded as one good thing that we got during the English Imperial era. The first train in India covered its journey from Bombay to Thane on 16th April, 1853.

• Although the idea of construction of railways is credited to the Britishers but the credit for the construction of the first railroad was done by two enterprising Indians - Jaganath Shunkerseth and Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy.

• The whole railway system was nationalised and integrated into one unit in 1951

• The mascot of Indian Railways is a Guard Elephant- ‘Bholu’

• Might of Indian Railways is unmatched. This is quite evident through the fact that it is the largest employer in the country, which has second second-largest population in the world. Looking at the statistics, according to a news report dated 29th June, 2015, it is the largest employer in India with 14 lakh employees and the eighth biggest employer in the world.

• The Indian Railways has a track length that can cover the Equator one and a half times!

Read More: New Rules Set by Indian Railways for Hassle-free Traveling!

• With a daily passenger footfall of 25 million, the Indian Railways is truly connecting India, corner to corner.

• Indian Railways provides international commuting to three countries, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Nepal, in a ‘limited manner’.

• The world's highest rail bridge is owned by Indian Railways, and it is being constructed over Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir. It is five times the length of the Qutub Minar.

• There are a total of 7,500 rail stations in India

• 1986 was the year when Indian Railways did its first computerized reservation in New Delhi

• The online portal of Indian Railways, Indian Railways Catering & Tourism Corporation, gets close to 12 lakh hits in a single minute

• The record of the longest platform in the world is held by Indian Railways- it is Gorakhpur platform, which is 1,366.33 metres long, and before this also the record was also held by Indian Railways for Kharagpur platform.

• The longest bridge in India dedicated to freight is the Vembanad Rail Bridge, and its passenger counterpart is the Nehru Setu Bridge.

• Two sites on Indian Railways have been declared as UNESCO World Heritage Sites - The Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus and the Mountain Railways of India. Mountain Railways of India takes you through the most breathtaking views of pristine beauty through the hills and mountains and these comprise Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, Nilgiri Mountain Railway and Kalka-Shimla Railway.

Also Read: 10 Most Busy Railway Stations in India

Kashi Mahakal Express - Route, Fare, How to book

Five luxury trains in India take passengers on a royal ride through various destinations.

1. Palace of Wheels
2. Maharajas Express
3. Deccan Odyssey

Read More: Get Your Tickets Booked For Maharajas Express This Season

• There is a special train dedicated to the provision of healthcare services to rural areas. It is known as the Lifeline Express. The train has an operation ward, a store room, and patient wards. It runs through the whole country and has a halt of two months at one location.

• Fairy Queen of Indian Railways is the oldest operating locomotive in the world, originally built in 1855 and overhauled in 1996. It operates on the route of Delhi to Alwar route. It was started again with the primary motive to boost tourism in Rajasthan.

Read More: The Changing Face of the Indian Railways

• The northernmost, southernmost, westernmost and easternmost points on Indian Railways are Baramulla in Jammu and Kashmir, Kanyakumari in Kerala, Naliya in Gujarat and Ledo on branch line from Tinsukia respectively. Nagpur (located in Central India) is the site of diamond crossing of Indian Railways from where trains move in all four directions!

• To exhibit the legacy of Indian Railways in India and to bring its interesting history to life, National Rail Museum was set up in 1977. This is one of the most amazing museums in India and is fun to explore as there is a collection of antique steam engines, locomotives, carriages etc. There is a toy train running through the museum offering a fun ride, visitors are recommended to take their kids along for it.

You may also read related articles:

• Indian Railways to Introduce Luxury Coaches with Glass Ceilings
• 20 Interesting Facts About Indian Railways
• Witness the Elegance of Kathak at Lucknow throughthe  Indian Panorama of Maharajas’ Express
• Top 5 Places to Visit in Maharashtra in December
• What to Wear in India – Essential Packing Things

---