India’s first train ran from Mumbai to Thane in 1853
On April 16, 1853 a train with 14 railway carriages, 3 locomotives Sindh, Sultan and Sahib, and 400 guests left Bombay at 15:35 hours. This was India’s first rail run. The train left Bori Bunder for Thane with a 21-gun salute and the Governor’s band to see it off. The journey took an hour and fifteen minutes. Vulcan Foundry, England manufactured the locomotives used on this run. A total of eight engines, GIP Nos 1-8 and bearing makers numbers 324-331, were ordered from the foundry in 1852 and the locomotives were of the type 2-4-0. These were the earliest known locomotives in service in India then. The earliest steam locomotive still in service has been certified by Guinness as the Fairy Queen. This is a 2-2-2 type locomotive manufactured by Kitson, Thompson and Hewitson, UK for the East Indian Railways (EIR). Kitson and Co supplied these locomotives (2 in number) in 1855. These were numbered 21 and 22 and later renamed EIR 91 and 92. They acquired the names Express and Fairy Queen respectively in 1895.
After the first railway line had been opened, railway development in India followed the course of least resistance and maximum profit. The increase in mileage was phenomenal:
| Year | Mileage open |
|---|---|
| 1853 | 20 |
| 1860 | 838 |
| 1870 | 4791 |
| 1880 | 8996 |
| 1890 | 16404 |
| 1900 | 24752 |
| 1910 | 32099 |
| 1920 | 36735 |
| 1930 | 41724 |
| 1937 | 43128 |
From the beginning up to 1869, the construction and working of railways was left entirely to companies with some form of guarantee. From 1870 to 1880 all new lines ware constructed by the direct agency of the state and with state funds. From 1880 up to 1907 the operations of both the state and aided companies went on side by side. From 1907 onwards all major lines were purchased by the government and leased to private companies for operation.
The 2-anna stamp depicts 2-2-2T ‘Express’ of 1853 and WP-1 of 1953.
Date of issue: 16.4.1953
Denomination: 2 annas
