Molly Ayala
India's railway system is vast, with over 108,706 km of tracks and more than 13,000 trains in operation daily. The history of railways in India dates back to the 1800s, with the first train introduced in 1853. However, the focus of this paragraph is on the introduction of electric trains, which began in 1925 with the first electric suburban train running from Bombay's Victoria Terminus (now Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus) to Kurla. This inaugural electric train service used 1500 Volts DC Electric traction and was a significant step forward in India's railway history, marking the beginning of the country's transition from steam-powered to electric-powered locomotives.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 3 February 1925 |
| Route | Bombay Victoria Terminus to Kurla |
| Railway Line | Great Indian Peninsula Railway's (GIPR) Harbour Line |
| Distance | 16km |
| Traction | 1500 V DC |
| Locomotive | Swiss Locomotive and Machine Works (SLM) 2,400 hp (1,800 kW) |
| Manufacturer | Cammell Laird and Uerdingenwagonfabrik |
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What You'll Learn
- The first electric train in India ran in 1925 between Bombay and Kurla
- The train was hauled by a Swiss Locomotive and Machine Works (SLM) 2,400 hp electric locomotive
- The first electric suburban train ran from Bombay's Victoria Terminus (now Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus) in 1925
- In 1957, Indian Railways adopted the 25 kV AC system of electrification
- By December 2023, Indian Railways had 10,238 electric locomotives
The first electric train in India ran in 1925 between Bombay and Kurla
The first electric train in India ran on 3 February 1925, between Bombay Victoria Terminus (now Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus or CST) and Kurla. The train was hauled by a Swiss Locomotive and Machine Works (SLM) 2,400 hp (1,800 kW) electric locomotive on 1500 V DC traction. The suburban electric train ran on the former Great Indian Peninsula Railway's Harbour Branch (now called the Harbour Line).
The introduction of electric trains in India was a significant development in the country's railway history. At the time, the railway network in India was primarily steam-powered, with some diesel locomotives also in use. The first electric train in 1925 marked the beginning of the electrification of the Indian railway network, which has since become a priority for the Indian government.
The 16km section of railway electrified for this first electric train provided a rapid suburban service from the suburbs of Mumbai (then Bombay) into the city. The electrification of this route was particularly important due to the steep grades on the Western Ghats, which made electric traction necessary.
The locomotives for this first electric train were manufactured by Cammell Laird and Uerdingenwagonfabrik, with the electrical components supplied by Metropolitan Vickers of England. These early electric trains played a crucial role in improving transportation in the region, providing a faster and more efficient means of travel between Bombay and Kurla.
Since the introduction of the first electric train in 1925, India has made significant progress in electrifying its railway network. As of 2023, Indian Railways operates a fleet of over 14,800 locomotives, with a mix of electric and diesel locomotives, serving more than 13,000 trains daily.
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The train was hauled by a Swiss Locomotive and Machine Works (SLM) 2,400 hp electric locomotive
On 3 February 1925, the first electric train ran between Bombay (now Mumbai) and Kurla. The train was hauled by a Swiss Locomotive and Machine Works (SLM) 2,400 hp (1,800 kW) electric locomotive on 1500 V DC traction. SLM, based in Winterthur, Switzerland, was founded in 1871 by British engineer Charles Brown and built both steam and electric locomotives. SLM locomotives are still at work on some heritage railways in India.
The SLM locomotive that hauled the first electric train in India was manufactured by Cammell Laird and Uerdingenwagonfabrik. The electrical components were made and supplied by Metropolitan Vickers of England. The bodywork was Swiss. The first electric train in India was flagged off from Bombay's Victoria Terminus, now known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus. This terminus is on the former Great Indian Peninsula Railway's Harbour Branch, now called the Harbour Line.
The electrification system used for the first electric train in India was in line with the Newport-Shildon Electrification Scheme used in England at the time, which employed 1500 V DC electricity for railway electrification. In 1925, the Electric Multiple Units (EMU) introduced in Bombay were 1.5 KV DC units imported from Cammell Laird and Uerdingenwagonfabrik.
In 1927, the first electric locomotive-hauled passenger train was pulled by an imported WCP-1. In 1957, Indian Railways adopted 25 kV 50 Hz AC traction, with the first runs beginning in December 1959 with the WAM-1 locomotives.
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The first electric suburban train ran from Bombay's Victoria Terminus (now Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus) in 1925
On 3 February 1925, the first electric train in India ran from Bombay Victoria Terminus (now Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus) to Kurla. The train was hauled by a Swiss Locomotive and Machine Works (SLM) 2,400 hp (1,800 kW) electric locomotive using 1500 V DC traction. The train ran on the former Great Indian Peninsula Railway's Harbour Branch (now called the Harbour Line). This line provided a rapid suburban service from the suburbs of Mumbai (then Bombay) into the city. The electrification of this line was in line with the Newport-Shildon Electrification Scheme used in England at the time.
The electric locomotive was manufactured by Cammell Laird and Uerdingenwagonfabrik. The locomotive's bodywork was Swiss and supplied by SLM, while its electrical components were made by Metropolitan Vickers of England. The introduction of electric trains in India was the result of modernisation efforts, as prior to the 1980s, the network had largely been steam-powered.
The first electric train in India was introduced during a period of railway expansion in the country. The first railway line in India was proposed in 1832, and the first train ran on the Red Hill railway line in Madras in 1837. The first passenger train ran between Bombay and Thane in 1853, hauled by three steam locomotives.
Since the introduction of electric trains in 1925, Indian Railways has continued to expand and electrify its network. As of 2023, Indian Railways maintains over 108,706 km of tracks and operates over 13,000 trains daily. The organisation has set a target of achieving 100% electrification of its network.
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In 1957, Indian Railways adopted the 25 kV AC system of electrification
The history of electric trains in India dates back to the 1920s. The first electric train ran between Bombay (now Mumbai) and Kurla on 3rd February 1925, hauled by a Swiss Locomotive and Machine Works (SLM) 2,400 hp (1,800 kW) electric locomotive using 1500 V DC traction. This inaugural journey marked the beginning of India's journey towards electrifying its vast railway network.
In 1957, Indian Railways took a significant step forward by adopting the 25 kV AC system of electrification as its standard. This decision was influenced by the success of 25 kV AC electrification in other parts of the world, particularly in Europe. The 25 kV AC system offered several advantages, including increased efficiency and reduced costs for high-speed and long-distance rail operations.
The adoption of the 25 kV AC system by Indian Railways was implemented in phases. The first section to be electrified using this system was the South Eastern Railway (SER) route between Rajkharswan and Dongaoposi, chosen due to its heavy freight traffic. Subsequently, other sections, such as Burdwan-Mughalsarai and Tatanagar-Rourkela, were electrified for testing and operational purposes.
The transition to 25 kV AC electrification brought about a boost in the production of electric locomotives. As Indian Railways gradually adopted the new system, the manufacturing of electric locomotives increased. This transition also paved the way for the introduction of dual-voltage locomotives in the 1960s, accommodating both the newer 25 kV AC system and the existing DC infrastructure.
Today, India's railway network has made significant strides in electrification. As of 2023, Indian Railways maintains over 108,706 km of tracks, with the majority of the electrified mainline rail network using 25 kV AC traction. The Indian government has set ambitious targets for complete electrification, reflecting its commitment to modernising the country's vast railway infrastructure.
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By December 2023, Indian Railways had 10,238 electric locomotives
India's railway system is operated by Indian Railways, which comes under the purview of the Ministry of Railways of the Government of India. As of 2023, it maintains over 108,706 km of tracks and operates over 13,000 trains daily with a fleet of 14,800 locomotives. The railways primarily operate a fleet of electric and diesel locomotives, along with a few compressed natural gas (CNG) locomotives. Steam locomotives are operated on mountain railways and heritage trains.
The history of Indian Railways dates back to 1832, with the proposal to construct the first railway line in India at Madras. The first train in India ran on the Red Hill railway line between Red Hills and Chintadripet in Madras in 1837, hauled by a rotary steam engine imported from England. In 1853, the first passenger train ran between Bombay (now Mumbai) and Thane, with 14 carriages hauled by three steam locomotives: the Sahib, Sindh, and Sultan.
Bombay, now a megacity, is considered the pioneer of railway electrification in India. On February 3, 1925, the first electric train in India ran between Bombay and Kurla, hauled by a Swiss Locomotive and Machine Works (SLM) 2,400 hp electric locomotive using 1500 V DC traction. This inaugural electric train ran on the former Great Indian Peninsula Railway's Harbour Branch (now the Harbour Line) and utilised overhead electric transmission.
Since the introduction of electric trains in 1925, Indian Railways has continued to electrify its network. In 1957, Indian Railways adopted 25 kV 50 Hz AC traction, with the first runs beginning in December 1959 using WAM-1 locomotives. In 1966, the complete changeover to AC from DC was achieved.
As of December 2023, Indian Railways had 10,238 electric locomotives, constituting a significant portion of its overall fleet of 14,800 locomotives. This number is expected to increase further, with Indian Railways prioritising the enhancement of its haulage capacity. For instance, in partnership with Alstom, Indian Railways introduced the WAG12B electric locomotive, capable of hauling heavier loads at faster speeds. By May 2023, 300 WAG12B electric locomotives had been delivered, with a contract for a total of 800 high-powered locomotives for freight service.
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Frequently asked questions
The first electric train in India operated on 3 February 1925 between Bombay Victoria Terminal and Kurla Harbour.
The locomotives of the first electric train were manufactured by Cammell Laird and Uerdingenwagonfabrik. The electric locomotive was Swiss Locomotive and Machine Works (SLM).
The first electric train in India used 1500 V DC traction.
The overhead electric transmission used 1500 Volts DC electricity.
The first passenger train in India in 1853 was hauled by three steam locomotives: the Sahib, Sindh, and Sultan.
