India’s first passenger train
On April 16, 1853, India’s first passenger train travels 34 km from Bori Bunder (Bombay) to Thane
Centenary of Indian Railways
Issued by India’s Post office April 16, 1953
The image on the above stamp depicted the incorrect train. A second stamp was issued in 1976 showing the 1853 engine.
Great Peninsular Railway Class GIP Steam Locomotive, 1853
Part of the Locomotives series
Issued by India Post May 15,1976
This engine is quite different from the one in the original 1953 stamp.
171 years ago, a steam engine pulled out of the Bori Bunder station for a 54-minute ride to Thane. Great Indian Peninsula Railway train carried 400 passengers in 14 cars.
Excerpt from The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.) Tue 26 Jul 1853
Page 5
INAUGURATION OF THE GREAT INDIAN PENINSULA RAILWAY
This isn’t the engine, but I found this great illustration in an old volume on trains in India from the same era and wanted to use it. From A Short Account of Railways by Nasharasti Bhatwadekar Bombay 1854
India your rail history is awe inspiring. Stay awesome my friends!