Rail Network of India is a government-owned railway company in India that operates and manages the country’s rail transport. It is one of the largest railway networks in the world, spanning over 67,000 km of track and carrying over 23 million passengers daily. The Indian Railways has a rich history dating back to the British colonial era when the first passenger train ran from Bombay (now Mumbai) to Thane in 1853. Today, it has grown into a massive transportation system, with over 1.3 million employees and various services, including passenger, freight, and suburban trains.

The Indian Railways is often referred to as the “lifeline of India” due to its critical role in connecting people and goods across the country. The network is comprised of various types of trains, including passenger trains, express trains, and freight trains.

In addition to being an important transportation network, the Rail Network of India is also a significant tourist attraction. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, also known as the “Toy Train,” is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers stunning views of the Himalayan Mountains. India also has several luxury trains, such as the Palace on Wheels and the Maharaja Express, which provide a unique travel experience with luxurious amenities and world-class services.

Overall, the Rail Network of India is an integral part of the country’s infrastructure and plays a critical role in connecting people and goods across the vast and diverse nation. It plays a critical role in the country’s economy, providing a reliable and affordable mode of transportation for people and goods. Here are the top 10 Interesting Facts About the Rail Network of India.

1.The Rail Network of India is 169 Years Old

The Rail Network of India is 169 years old, as the first passenger train in India ran on April 16, 1853. However, the idea of constructing a railway network in India dates back to the early 1830s, when the British colonial government in India began considering the feasibility of building a railway line. It took several years of planning, surveying, and construction before the first passenger train finally ran in India in 1853. Since then, the Indian railway network has grown tremendously and become one of the largest railway networks in the world.

2.Rail Network of India Still Uses Its Oldest Locomotive

India’s oldest locomotive is the Fairy Queen, which is also recognized by the Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest working steam locomotive in the Rail Network of India. The Fairy Queen was built in 1855 by Kitson, Thompson and Hewitson in Leeds, England, and was shipped to India the same year. It was originally used for passenger and mail service between Howrah and Raniganj in eastern India.

After being retired in 1909, the Fairy Queen was placed in a park in Howrah and remained there until 1972 when it was moved to the National Rail Museum in Delhi. In 1997, the locomotive was restored to its original condition and began operating a luxury tourist train between Delhi and Alwar. Today, the Fairy Queen still runs occasional heritage tours, offering visitors a chance to experience the charm of steam-powered travel.

3.Railway Network of India has Its First Workshop in Bihar

The first railway workshop in Bihar was established in Jamalpur in 1862, during the British colonial era. Jamalpur is located in the Munger district of Bihar, India, and was chosen as the site for the workshop because of its strategic location on Grand Trunk Road and the proximity of the Jamalpur Railway Station. The workshop was initially set up to provide maintenance and repair services for locomotives, but over time it expanded to include other railway equipment and rolling stock.

Today, Jamalpur Workshop is one of the largest and most important railway workshops in India, covering an area of over 1000 acres and employing thousands of workers. The workshop also provides training for railway engineers and technicians and is considered a Centre of excellence in railway technology and engineering.

4.The Rail Network of India is the 4th Largest

The Railway Network of India is the world’s fourth-largest, after the United States, China, and Russia. The Indian railway network is operated and managed by Indian Railways, a government-owned railway company. It covers over 67,000 km of track and connects all major cities and towns across the country. The Indian railway network is a critical component of the country’s transportation infrastructure and plays a crucial role in the country’s economic growth and development. It provides affordable and accessible transportation for millions of people every day and also facilitates the movement of goods and commodities across the country.

5.Railway Network of India Own 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites

The Rail Network of India does own and operates several railways that are designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These include the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway which is a narrow-gauge railway that was built in 1881 and connects the town of Siliguri in West Bengal to Darjeeling in the foothills of the Himalayas.

Nilgiri Mountain Railway, a rack-and-pinion railway was built in 1908 and connects the town of Mettupalayam in Tamil Nadu to the hill station of Ooty in the Nilgiri Mountains. Kalka-Shimla Railway a narrow-gauge railway was built in 1903 and connects the town of Kalka in Haryana to the hill station of Shimla in Himachal Pradesh. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus a historic railway station in Mumbai, Maharashtra, was built in 1887 and is a fine example of Victorian Gothic architecture.

6.The Railway Network of India has Worlds Longest Platform

The Rail network of India has the world’s longest railway platform that is located at Gorakhpur railway station in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. The platform is about 1.35 miles (or 2.2 kilometres) long and can accommodate up to 24 coaches at a time. It was constructed in 2013 to accommodate the longer trains that run on the busy route between Gorakhpur and Kolkata.

The length of the platform at Gorakhpur railway station has helped to reduce congestion and improve the efficiency of train operations on this important route. It has also become a popular tourist attraction, with visitors coming from around the world to see the impressive feat of engineering.

7.The Rail Network of India Has Two Different Stations at the Same Location

There are several instances in India where two different railway stations are located at the same physical location, and this is often referred to as a “twin station” or “duplicate station” system. In, Ahmednagar, Srirampur, and Belapur are located in the same place but the direction of the Tracks is opposite. The twin station system is an innovative solution to address the issue of congestion and improve the efficiency of train operations in crowded cities. It also provides greater flexibility and convenience to passengers.

8.Railway Network of India is the Largest Employer in the Country

The Railway Network of India is the largest employer in the country and one of the largest employers in the world. According to data from the Ministry of Railways, the Indian Railways employs over 1.3 million people, making it the single largest employer in India. The employees of the Indian Railways are involved in a wide range of activities, including train operations, maintenance and repair of tracks, locomotives, coaches and wagons, signaling and telecommunications, catering and hospitality services, and various administrative functions.

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9.Rail Network has Most Routes Emerging from Mathura

Mathura Junction railway station is a major railway junction located in the city of Mathura in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. It serves as an important transit point for trains travelling between North India and other parts of the country. Mathura Junction is one of the busiest railway stations in Uttar Pradesh and has connections to several major cities in India, including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, and Bangalore. However, I couldn’t find any official data or reliable source confirming that Mathura Junction has the maximum number of routes compared to any other railway station in India.

10.India has the Highest Rail Bridge

The world’s highest rail bridge is the Chenab Bridge, which is located in the northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. The bridge is being constructed over the Chenab River, and upon completion, it will have a height of 359 meters (1,178 feet) from the riverbed, making it the highest rail bridge in the world.

The Chenab Bridge is a part of the Indian Railways’ Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project, which aims to connect the Kashmir Valley with the rest of India. The bridge is being constructed by the Indian Railways and is expected to be completed by the end of 2021.

Indian Railway Has Its Own Security Force Called RPF (Railway Protection Force)

RPF stands for Railway Protection Force, which is a security force in India that is responsible for protecting railway passengers, passenger areas, and railway property. The RPF was established in 1957, and it is a central armed police force under the authority of the Ministry of Railways.

The main duties of the RPF include the protection of railway passengers, the prevention and detection of crime on the railways, and the protection of railway property. The RPF also works closely with other law enforcement agencies to maintain law and order in railway stations and on trains. Overall, the Indian RPF plays a critical role in ensuring the safety and security of the millions of passengers who use the Indian railway system every day.

We hope you found the above 10 facts about rail network of India interesting. Did we miss something? Let us know in the comments section below. Don’t forget to share this post on your social media handles.