When quite a child in India I had gathered, from the odd word I happened to overhear, or the odd attitude one observed when the subject of Railways was mentioned there seemed to be an antipathy towards ‘those Railway people’. I found this somewhat mysterious and puzzling : however, not being in contact with any of the Railway Colony; they lived in the extreme north of Delhi and we were housed in the south or ‘Posh’ area as some saw it. I also remember being told to stay clear of the area where they lived. This rather upset me and I thought the attitude was somewhat curious, not to say unfair. I found out as I grew older and a bit more knowledgeable that the Railway people were considered a bit ‘Racy’ and not quite up to the mark or shall we say a bit common. In much later days I was to discover for myself that these opinions were positively unfair and rather, or downright ignorant. I had in my ‘growing up’ days had very little contact with railway people in India, except for the occasional meeting through rail travel.During my service in the Military I was to be Posted to a quite important Railway Station called Jamalpur, in Bihar. It was early May 1942 and our Unit was transported to a wooded area to set up Camp. Four of us shared a 1201b. tent and after erecting same in the late evening we turned in to sleep as we were shattered. The ground was to be our resting place for a time until wire framed beds were received. Of course the inevitable happened: a storm hit us on the first night and we were nearly washed away. We hadn’t had the energy to dig a trench around the tent; this being the most important procedure after the erection of a tent. I remember waking, and with disbelief seeing ‘Taffy’ suspended against a tent wall which he was trying to hold in place! However, we dried out the next day. Our task at this scrub jungle site was to build roads and erect accommodation for Stores, and Ammunition would be placed in the forested hill area, with the help of local native labour.

Railway Siding in Jamalpur

Makeshift Mess

Railway line past No 2 sub-depot

Forest Camp near Jamalpur, Biha

We were encamped about four to five miles from the town so going into town was quite a long walk. Part of the way, about a mile or so was provided with a railway line and if the hand operated Trolly was at the right end of the track we could take an enjoyable ride. A Message had been received by our Colonel that his Unit would be welcome to visit the Jamalpur Railway Institute; this was looked forward to with anticipation. Arriving at the Institute we converged on the Billiards Room and Bar to introduce ourselves. We were made most welcome and on my part, almost right away I met a chap called Lawson who went to my School, but very much earlier. I also met another Railway Engineer whose brother I knew from Bombay. Invitations to Dinner were given and I was to meet their families at a later date. We were all informed that we would be Honorary members of the Institute and were to come and go, when and as we pleased. In the following eight or nine months the building of our Field Depot progressed. In the mean time we had to abandon the original site because of its unsuitability in the Monsoon. Apart from the danger of, and the fear of flooding, the scrub and forest was the home of many Scorpions and Snakes. It was while we were in this jungle camp site that one of our boys died of Heat Stroke. The Doctor attending him was very upset: as he explained that if sufficient Ice could be had (we had none and the vehicle bringing a supply from the town arrived too late) he would have saved Woodford’s life. Rapid arrangements had to be made for a funeral which was performed the next day. I was one of the Pallbearers. At least the lad was given a splendid Military Burial.

Our Tent in the forest

First locomotive on East Indian Railway

Enterprising shoeshine boy

Tent companion

I was rather disappointed to leave the wildness of this scrub jungle because the hills made fine walking country and there were one or two villages, not far away which were inhabited by Tribal people; very shy at our approach but quite harmless and it was interesting to observe in their primitive way of life.A Headquarters was built near the town and Stores were housed in an area at the south outskirts near a railway line. Work was fairly hectic through the humid hot (up to 113F at times) Summer as supplies were urgently needed in Assam for the Burma Campaign. A number of us suffered from Prickly Heat rashes and sores in other parts, that is, mainly in the ‘Crutch’ area. Calamine lotion was liberally used! .Our spare time was fully used with various diversions; for example football. Three of our Unit were invited to play for the Railway Institute team in an annual tournament. Fancy playing games in these hot and humid conditions, we must have needed our brains examining. But we were very young and could take a lot of punishment! It was a bit cooler in the late evening when we played.

The Railway Institute was a ‘Godsend’ and we were to discover its joys quite soon. On Saturdays a dance was held. The Musicians who entertained us were a small family of Philippinos; very nice people. These dances were well attended and we found the company most friendly and agreeable. We were given invitations to Dinner and made many friends here. One of our chaps even married into the community and I was later, many years later to meet him in my local Library in London. Of course we got together on occasions to reminisce with him and his wife. I, through an old school member (who I have already mentioned) was introduced to several members of the Railway Colony. I got to like the people and always received friendly treatment. I was fortunate even to get on closer terms with a very lovely blond girl (who had recently come down from her school in the Hills) I was to meet Pamela in Calcutta a few years later where she was training to become a nurse.

Ablutions on a new camp-site

Amunition valley – Jamalpur

Sunday walk – hills near Jamalpur

Village on the banks of the Brahmaputra

I was to discover that Jamalpur had the third largest Railway Workshop in the World (or so I was told) and was responsible for the training of Railway Engineers who came to the Workshops after they had passed out of their particular schools of academia. Consequently most male members of the town were Railway Engineers of one kind or another, However high or low in status I found them most agreeable. I was never able to have a guided tour of the workshops but I’m sure the inner workings of the railway would have been interesting. In the front of the Workshop buildings, on a three foot high pedestal was placed a Locomotive which happened to be the first Engine to ride the rails of The East Indian Railways. I have a photo of the beautiful machine.The European Railway Institute (the Indians had their own Institute) was a fairly comprehensive Club of a good standard. The facilities were: Swimming Pool and Tennis Courts and some Courts for Badminton. Inside the Club was a good size Hall used as a Cinema and on Dance nights the chairs were cleared to the sides and some tables set up. Also ‘Housie Housie’ (Bingo) and Whist games were also played here. Next to this was a very well furnished ‘Cocktail’ Bar for the Ladies… .or anyone for that matter. Through to a Library and Reading room. The Billiards room also had its own Bar, all the necessary Wash rooms and Lavatory’s were included in the building. Many happy hours were spent at this Institute and many friends made. There was just one snag and that was the long walk back to the original Camp. One night my torch picked out a snake, which one of us almost trod on. It was curled up between one of the railway sleepers on the line. Of course on our approach it was on the attack so with a swipe from the cane I was carrying (our Camp Orders advised everyone to carry canes) it was despatched. The snake was a Banded Krait and I took it back to Camp and laid it out on a table for the night meaning to remove its skin the next day. The next morning I was not very popular because a couple of our tent mates were not able to sleep!

Our working life at Jamalpur was quite hectic. Some civilian girls were taken on to work as office clerks; this did make working hours more pleasant. Our spare time was well employed and enjoyed due in very big part to the way we were accepted and entertained by the civil population and of course the many facilities the Railway Institute provided. My eight months in Jamalpur were happy and I could write much more about the Colony but I have other Stations to mention.

Small boats on the Brahmaputra

Grinding corn, tribal village, Bihar

Some shy tribe folk

Transport for road building

From Jamalpur I was Posted, on promotion to Assam, a paradise for lovers of nature which I experienced in some measure. Birds, Butterflies, and snakes were in abundance. Insects by the million, including the Fire Fly that lit up the bushes at night. Many Scorpions of various types, in fact, Flora and Fauna ad infinitum. There were also beautiful Orchids, but usually out of reach, growing on large trees. The Game Sanctuary at Kaziranga was nearby and the wonderful Brahmaputra River. Jungle to be explored but the heat and humidity was something else. December to January and pant Feb: were quite pleasant. During the Monsoon it was very wet and humid, to say the least. Up in the hills the annual rainfall was 450 to 500 inches! I went to some of the better known Railway Colonies such as Gauhati, Sylchar and Sylhet; but I had no contact with the civilians working for the Railways. On the Main line through Gauhati to the North, the Americans at one stage employed some of their own Locomotives, in conjunction with and the help of the Assam Railways to speed things up when transporting supplies for the Burma Campaign. Silchar incidentally, is famous for Tea growing and had also the first Polo Club in India. I did use the railway as transport on a few occasions but I never met any Railway people as such, except on one occasion. I did meet a retired Manager of the Bengal Assam Railways who was a well known Big Game Shikari (Hunter). This was on a Convoy trip through Cooch Behar State in North Bengal. Mr Gibbs and his family entertained some of us who were travelling, by Convoy to Imphal. He also took us on a trip to the Lower Dours forest (of which he was an Honorary member and used to conduct Shoots for the Raja of Cooch Behar) to show us a forest Inspection Bungalow sited on a cliff top surrounded by a dry Moat to keep Elephants out. This Bungalow was used by the Forest men when they made their inspection rounds of the forest. From the Bungalow, in the evening especially, all types of Jungle creatures were observed when coming down to a stream for a drink. Also very near, in fact from Mr Gibbs house, from a raised covered veranda the Himalayan range of Kanchanjunga could be seen; only on a clear day of course. We were given to understand that the distance from the veranda to the mountain peak was about a hundred and fifty miles; as the ‘Crow flies’.Later, during 1944 I was to do fleeting trips to Mohuda, Gomoh and Ranchi. The latter town being famous for an Asylum for the Insane. At Gomoh on an evening visit to the Railway Institute dance, I met the family of a chap called Healy who had been in Assam with me. I was, therefore a centre of interest, for a short while as his family wanted news of their son who they thought might be too close to the Japanese Army! I also attended a dance, by invitation from the Hendersons who were related to some old friends of ours in Delhi. This was at the Railway Institute in Howrah (Calcutta). Here again the Railway people were most kind and entertaining.

Cycle ride – Jubblepore

Jubblepore

Enjoying rain after a hot spell

In 1944 Dhanbad, in Bihar was to be a site where a Mobile Unit was assembling and getting ready to move to Imphal which is in Manipur State on the border with Burma. We were encamped near the Trunk road to Calcutta and about four miles out of the town. Dhanbad was also an important Railway Colony. On my first visit to the European Railway Institute I was to discover two people I had met in the distant past. Bertie and Della were related to an old friend in Delhi. We had an entertaining evening at the Saturday dance and I was asked over for Dinner at a later date. Also I met some keen Hockey players who suggested I take a team over to their ground sometime. I did this, and here again I met a young lad from my School. We spent a few engagements on the hockey field, also with some of the local Railway teams and two or three Military sides. A few games of hockey and football, also Volley Ball, and to be more serious, Small Arms Traininq and Parades were our main daytime occupation until our convoy was ordered to depart for Imphal, via Calcutta. However, before departing from Dhanbad let me tell you a little about the Colony. Yet another experience of meeting people who kept the Railways of India smooth running and efficient. The Railway Institute itself was not quite of the same standard of the one at Jamalpur, but nevertheless the people were sociable and welcoming. The main population, from what I gathered, was of mixed European, Eurasian and Indian cultures and worked almost entirely for the Railway, on the East India section.Outside Dhanbad the land was rich in Coal so this area of Bihar was mainly a Mining place. Employing thousands of Natives who had a fairly miserable and poor life. The Climate was not very healthy and many natives suffered from Elephantiasis and other complaints. Mining Engineers there were of course, to run the business and the man I mentioned earlier, Bertie was one. His home which I visited was outside Dhanbad and his Club, a very fine affair, at a place called Kulti. The Club members made us Military types welcome. I will never forget the evening I went to Bertie’s place for Dinner. On arrival I was received by Della and her Mother. Bertie was not present yet; apparently he had gone with a railway chum called Bowen (who incidentally I had met some years earlier up in the Hills) after a reported Leopard ‘Kill’. After we had been chatting for forty minutes or so Bertie and his friend arrived looking a bit ruffled. Bowen had a couple of nasty scratches on his face and the left sleeve of his jacket had been torn loose. The report goes that the said Leopard was on its ‘Kill’ and took fright when the Shikaris approached. The animal made a dash to escape and Bowen was in its way so it knocked him down and escaped: he was severely shaken but not badly injured. However, he was a hospital case for anti Tetanus injections to stave off blood poisoning because of the bad scratches. I believe a few stitches were also necessary. Anyway, after the incident had our full attention we carried on and enjoyed our dinner.

Asansol, quite near to Dhanbad is also an important Railway Colony; I was able to go there only once, to the Cinema and some shopping before our long trip to Imphal. Though I have passed through the station many times going to, or away from Calcutta.

This brings me to Jubbulpore, which I have included in another article. However, I remember some things which I haven’t mentioned previously. Jubbulpore was not only an important Railway Colony, but also quite a large Military presence was always kept here. The Station is a Junction on The Great Indian Peninsula Railway; therefore, it has fairly large Workshops and employs a big number to work the railway. The civilian population is quite a mixture of Europeans, Asians and Eurasians who run things. For some reason there are many Mail Train Drivers here who are almost all European (many who are Domiciled). A few of the Drivers are Indian. At this time in the early Forties Indians were taking over more important jobs, not only on the Railways but everywhere. Independence was near at hand. There were a lot of good sports people amongst the younger members of the Community. Haverlock Luxor a Boxer, I’ve mentioned in another article. The Smiths, one of whom held the l00yds Sprint record and his sister who played Hockey for India. There were many others, too numerous to mention here. This Railway Community, apart from a few Goondas (rascals) were good to us Military types and very hospitable. I entertained some of the boys and girls I became friendly with, from time too time at the Ordanance Club with Tennis, Dances, Billiards: that sort of thing. I was sorry to leave Jubbulpore; apart from all this the Shikar in the outer areas was excellent. I went to the station in the late evening to catch my train heading for the North to Delhi, with mixed feelings but was pleased to see seven or eight friends turned up to see me off. Jubbulpore and Jamalpur will always remain in my memories with fond feelings.In retrospect I can honestly say that I found the Railway Community people most interesting and pleasurable to meet and socialise with. Of course I had to report my findings to some of the intolerant (perhaps even ignorant) groups I had grown up with in Delhi and Simla!

This is a one year course designed to promote sannyasa training for modern aspirants who sincerely wish to dedicate themselves to the awakening of their spiritual potential.

In order to develop the skills required for balanced development in spiritual live, the disciplines of seva, swadhyaya, tyaga and yoga have to be understood, internalized and applied in day to day life. This can only be experienced and learnt through continued, unbroken, participation in the disciplines and routine of the gurukul environment.

The daily schedule will be rigorous and challenging, from 5.00 in the morning until 7.30 at night. Only those of strong physical, mental and emotional character, who can face challenges and difficulties with faith and positivity, should apply.

This course is open to Indian nationals only, both males and females between the ages of 18 and 60, who have the minimum qualification of High School Matriculation. Females must have written consent from both parents.

For an application form, or for further information, contact Bihar School of Yoga, Ganga Darshan, Munger, Bihar 811201.

Whenever I have debarked at the Jamalpur station from Howrah,I have felt like brushing out the cobweb of memories,somehow playing the tune of “The Swami”(If I guessed right!!) in my mind so a kaleidoscope of images hit my senses and pineal subconsciousness.

Once you are out of the station ,one sees some of the biggest rickshaws (with some seats slipping out) ,an erstwhile product of the the Raj (beckoning at you with those quaint rubber horns) jostling for space with the trekkers going to Monghyr, Buses going to Kiul and other places in a 30 kilometer vicinity and yes probably that one bus (Kumar Bhai).

A rickshaw will charge roughly 10-15 rupees to most of the places but still bargain.It is worth it as in other places across the orient and beyond!!Moving forward you will find the oldest tailoring shop in Jamalpur(Dressco) run by a centurion an easy six footer ,with dark eyes and a mehndi beard extending up to his chest….!!

When I was in school when I did not know about hair dye I thought he got the beard colored by chewing on a lot of betel and it was practically dried betel juice!!No offence but that was me then…
Move forward and you hit the tea shops in a row .If you went inside you could hear snitches of what went on in the darker sides of Jamalpur but they made an excellent glass of lemon tea…!!

The biggest landmark this side of Jamalpur is the Jubilee Well, …Yes!! There is a pucca well in the middle of the road and it is a fork from where the left one went to Monghyr and the other went to the Railway Colony of the sahibs!

Once on the railway bridge you get an idea of the expanse of Jamalpur!!The white building you see at 11 O Clock with a NtD on top is Notre Dame Academy.But that is another epic story I guess!!
If you went to Jamalpur ,you had be pleasantly surprised to see all the roads named after the British Royalty .So now once you are coming down on the other side of the railway bridge(Badi Pool) on the left you will see once of those structures resembling world war II hangars .It is the cinema hall called the National Institute catering to the natives who came for the movies ,some cards,a small library but most of the times just to loiter,chat and stretch after a day;s toil at the Railway workshop.

O ….I do have stories for this place as well…just wait …but that is another generation ,once that came to Jamalpur in the 50s and 60s for season change,love ,a job and not necessarily in that order.

So now you see the Albert Road on the left after the National Institute ,you have the austere Notre Dame School building rising out and then the post office in front and the I.W(Inspector of Works) office in the right.

So now let me take the second longest road in Jamalpur.The ALBERT Road
As you pass the school on the right and the Jamalpur Municipalilty office on the left,what you will love is the defunct steam roller on which some generations of Notre Dame guys have played. Another relic from the Raj days may be….at least I like to romanticize that way.Move forward to find the East Colony Bank.Even though it is now shifted to the first floor the tea shop beside it of Jadav ji is a place you cannot miss. Dark,dingy,old world….that’s it!!His son Raju now has grey stubbles so what.Behind them is an entrance to th Notre Dame schoold dispensary and post that you have a saloon, Priya Studio,a liquor shop(may be it is no longer there) , an old ration shop with stairs winding up to no where and a big banyan tree.

Take a right and you will be on the workshop road but i will stick to my road.The next stop is Hira Mode.There used to be a hira’s hotel which used to supply the brown sahibs with jalebis anmd sweet meats.The last i saw it smelt of dank sweat,burnt wood,two mangy dogs ,a dry tube well and an old man sleeping ….Just beside it you have the star hotel of Jamalpur the erstwhile Madras Coffee House .They used to sell only idli dosas but now they have some accommodation rooms as well .
More to continues…

http://gaiapriest.blogspot.com/2009/09/jewel-of-east-india-railway.html

Michael, in his 50s, says his family is the third generation descendant of Radhamohan, who lived and worked in the railway factory in Jamalpur town, about 200 km from here, in the early 19th century. And that’s where he arrived last week.

“My father Albert Luis migrated to England along with an English official before India’s independence and settled there. We lost connection with our relatives decades ago in the last century itself. Now we want to know them and are visiting Bihar,” Michael told IANS over telephone.

“We will meet government officials in a day or two and seek their help to collect some information about our roots in Bihar,” said Michael who is here with his family, including his son and daughter.

Michael and his family members said they were proud that their roots lie in Bihar, the land of great heritage and historical importance. “We manage to speak broken Hindi thanks to our pride in Indian origin,” they said.

However, Michael’s family did not get much information from the railway factory in Jamalpur. “Our last hope is Bihar as our grandfather lived and died here. We are sure that our relatives will be here,” he said.

Michael’s son, Victor Luis, said his father and he were a little upset and sad for failing to trace their roots despite serious attempts. “We had inquired about ‘grandfather’ but we have yet to locate his place and other things,” Victor said.
source:Patna: His father migrated to Britain from India decades ago and he speaks only broken Hindi. But Michael Luis Jans, a London-based software engineer, is in Bihar with his entire family looking for his ancestral roots and long-lost relatives.
Michael, in his 50s, says his family is the third generation descendant of Radhamohan, who lived and worked in the railway factory in Jamalpur town, about 200 km from here, in the early 19th century. And that’s where he arrived last week.

“My father Albert Luis migrated to England along with an English official before India’s independence and settled there. We lost connection with our relatives decades ago in the last century itself. Now we want to know them and are visiting Bihar,” Michael told IANS over telephone.

“We will meet government officials in a day or two and seek their help to collect some information about our roots in Bihar,” said Michael who is here with his family, including his son and daughter.

Michael and his family members said they were proud that their roots lie in Bihar, the land of great heritage and historical importance. “We manage to speak broken Hindi thanks to our pride in Indian origin,” they said.

However, Michael’s family did not get much information from the railway factory in Jamalpur. “Our last hope is Bihar as our grandfather lived and died here. We are sure that our relatives will be here,” he said.

Michael’s son, Victor Luis, said his father and he were a little upset and sad for failing to trace their roots despite serious attempts. “We had inquired about ‘grandfather’ but we have yet to locate his place and other things,” Victor said.

Source: http://www.samaylive.com/news/from-britain-to-bihar-looking-for-ancestral-roots/643610.html

About 20 robbers boarded the train at Jhajha railway station around 9 pm and robbed the passengers of two airconditioned coaches as soon as it left the platform, he said.

After looting the passengers, they pulled the alarm chain and disembarked near Kunder station, Kumar said.

An FIR has been registered by GRP, he said, adding that one of the suspects has been picked up for questioning.

Source: http://www.indopia.in/India-usa-uk-news/latest-news/573972/National/1/20/1

140T Crane Specification

20 T Crane

Tower car

Channel Sleepers

BOXN HS Wagon

BLC Wagon

Jamalpur Jacks

Repair Activities:

POH of Diesel Loco

Wagon POH

Tower Car POH

140 T Crane  POH

20 T/ 10 T Crane POH

The Railway age in Eastern India started on August 15, 1854

The Railway age in Eastern India started on August 15, 1854, exactly ninety-three years before Independence. A locomotive, carriage and wagon workshop was set up in Howrah to put to commission imported rolling stock of EIR and also to render economic repairs to them. The railways spread very fast, perhaps faster than the anticipation of EIR. Within a short span of eight years, it became necessary to shift the site of shop, as there was hardly any scope for expansion at Howrah.

Jamalpur Workshop

The British chose Jamalpur as the new site of this workshop due to ready availability of skilled workers who were descendants of acclaimed gun makers and fabricators of weapons of steel for the Nawabs of Bengal and Orissa. Jamalpur is also geographically well located, on the western side of a hill range while the Ganges flow 7 KMs north of it.

The workshop has a number of FIRSTS to its credit, a few of which are: -

The FIRST to manufacture a steam locomotive and a locomotive boiler- 216 of which were manufactured between 1899 and 1923.

The FIRST to have set up a rolling mill not only on the railways, but probably in the country in 1870.

The FIRST to establish a railway foundry in the year 1863.

The FIRST to manufacture a rail crane in the country with indigenous know-how in 1961.

The FIRST to manufacture high capacity electrical lifting jacks and ticket printing, ticket chopping, ticket slitting and ticket counting machines.

The FIRST and the only railway workshop to manufacture electrical arc furnaces of ½ tonne in 1961 for production of steel castings.

This is the only workshop in the country manufacturing 140 T  ART cranes for Railways to-day.

The gradual eclipse of steam traction on Indian Railways, steam locomotive activities, which had peaked at 600 Standard units per month in 1962-63, started declining in the late 60’s and finally the steam activities came to a complete end in August ’92. The closure of steam activities was to some extent overcome with the switching over to the repair of Diesel Locomotives, repair of unloadable wagons and manufacture of Diesel Hydraulic B.D. Cranes and Tower Cars.

This workshop has completed over 140 years of glorious performance and dedicated service to the Nation. Ironically it stands alone in the Industrial desert of the northern part of Bihar in general and in Munger District in particular.

This is the only workshop in Indian Railways to have been equipped with its own 5 MVA power house.

The first to manufacture a steam locomotive
(The first one, CA 764 ‘Lady Curzon’, was produced in 1899.) at a cost of Rs. 33,000/- which served for 33 years. The manufacture of Steam locomotive was stopped in the year 1923 .

Jamalpur Workshop built 216 locomotives and locomotive boilers – between 1899 and 1923.

The first to have set up a rolling mill not only on the railways, but probably in the country in 1870.(now closed)The first to establish a railway foundry in the year 1893.

The first to build a rail- travelling crane in India with indigenous know-how in 1961.

The first to manufacture high capacity synchronised electrically operated lifting jacks popularly known as “Jamalpur jacks” in 1962 and ticket printing, ticket chopping, ticket slitting and ticket counting machines.

The first and the only railway workshop to manufacture electrical arc furnaces of ½ tonne capacity in 1961 for production of steel casting
‘The Express’ – the sister of ‘Fairy Queen’ built 1855.

Amunition valley - Jamalpur

I came across this wonderful resource :
Railway Colonies in India by John Alton Price

First locomotive on East Indian Railway

When quite a child in India I had gathered, from the odd word I happened to overhear, or the odd attitude one observed when the subject of Railways was mentioned there seemed to be an antipathy towards ‘those Railway people’.

Forest Camp Jamalpur, Bihar

This rather upset me and I thought the attitude was somewhat curious, not to say unfair. I found out as I grew older and a bit more knowledgeable that the Railway people were considered a bit ‘Racy’ and not quite up to the mark or shall we say a bit common. In much later days I was to discover for myself that these opinions were positively unfair and rather, or downright ignorant. I had in my ‘growing up’ days had very little contact with railway people in India, except for the occasional meeting through rail travel.

Railway Siding in Jamalpur

Sunday walk - hills near Jamalpur

During my service in the Military I was to be Posted to a quite important Railway Station called Jamalpur, in Bihar. It was early May 1942 and our Unit was transported to a wooded area to set up Camp.

Railway line past No 2 sub-depot

I was to discover that Jamalpur had the third largest Railway Workshop in the World (or so I was told) and was responsible for the training of Railway Engineers who came to the Workshops after they had passed out of their particular schools of academia. Consequently most male members of the town were Railway Engineers of one kind or another, However high or low in status I found them most agreeable. I was never able to have a guided tour of the workshops but I’m sure the inner workings of the railway would have been interesting. In the front of the Workshop buildings, on a three foot high pedestal was placed a Locomotive which happened to be the first Engine to ride the rails of The East Indian Railways. I have a photo of the beautiful machine.

Our Tent in the forest

Source: http://www.pricewebhome.co.uk/Docs/Price/Railways/Railways.htm

Jamalpur was at a very far distance from the Bengal and Bihar coalfields, which was the most important criterion for selecting the place for locomotive workshop way back in 1860s. The place  is also off the mainline  of EIR. The most mportant fatal draw back was the place has no natural water supply. This can be construed as a great blunder on the part of EIR.

The probable reasons for selecting the place may be listed as follows:-The place was adjacent to Munghyr, which was that time considered as “Birmingham of the East.”

There would be a plentiful supply of skilled mechanics from Munghyr because inhabitants of Munghyr had been the mechanics by trade for centuries, famous for manufacturing of iron wares, guns, pistols, spears and other works

When the selection was made it was probably thought that Jamalpur would be on the proposed mainline  of EIR which was subsequently changed and was directed to Delhi via Ranigunj, Gaya, Mughalsarai, Allahabad and Kanpur.

Initially, Jamalpur was only a engine changing station and light repairs were done in the running shed there. The original headquarters of the locomotive department of EIR was located at Howrah had a great draw back because it was too confined for extensions as and when needed. At Howrah, the original workshop was supposed to handle building of locomotives, carriage and wagons.

Mr. John Strachan, late Locomotive Supdt. of EIR Company as accounted for  the cause of the removal of locomotive workshops from Howrah to Jamalpur. It was in the early 60s (1860) that Mr. D.W. Campbell decided to remove the workshop to Jamalpur and this was because the drivers and fitters giving troubles. They were all covenanted men from England who had left their families, and hotels and billiard rooms were their only amusement. It was not in common for them to leave the shops during working hours and adjourn to a hotel “then situated opposite the Railway Station, Howrah”. Kept by a very old Ship Steward named Bobby Deans who could always give them something to eat as well as something to drink and a game of billiards. There were also several other places of amusements in Howrah and Calcutta to which men could go and among these, was a place known as Wilson’s Coffee Room.

One day Mr. Campbell  was returning from weekly meeting at the Agents Office (29,Theatre Road) happened to call at Wilson’s Coffee Room for Tiffin and their he found three of his Principal Workshop Foremen and two Engine Drivers enjoying themselves in rather a boisterous manner. They also asked him to join them in having a peg. What he said in reply has never been recorded, but the men there quickly retired and after that Mr. Campbell never rested until he had the workshops and the locomotive workshop officers removed from Howrah to Jamalpur.

At the early stages different narratives have stated that there were 26 foremen and  Asstt. Foreman and about 180 Europeans and East Indian Mechanics of which a large portion was recruited directly from England. The whole staff was housed in quarters built by EIR at Jamalpur and live within easy distance of the workshop. There were also other buildings, a church, Roman Catholic chapel,  Mechanics Institute, Swimming Bath, Hospitals with separate buildings for infectious diseases. A school for children of the employees both European and Indian. There were also a building house in which 40 Europeans and East Indian Apprentices could be lodged and cared under the charge of resident Master and Matron. It was for the first time in India that a system of training indentured apprentices was conceived and implemented. Initially, recruitment of sub-ordinate  services  grade was done by introduction of men from England that gradually suitable staff trained in the workshop were inducted to take the appointments and expenditure of importing men was saved. Jamalpur was also the headquarters of East Indian Volunteer Rifles with about 2300 strong personnel and necessary armoury  and headquarters staff in Jamalpur. It is still there in the form Territorial Army Organisation of Eastern Railway.

The Gymkhana at Jamalpur which later became a renowned school of Railway officers was started during this period for the recreational facilities.

Among the hectic activities during early 1900, the workshop was equipped and developed in manufacturing of locomotives, in addition to several other small jobs for Engineering Stores, Collieries ( EIR had its own Collieries at this time ) Carriage & Wagons Departments, cast iron sleepers, all signalling and interlocking gears, posts, cranes, etc.

A few important shops which are no more now are listed below.

STEEL FOUNDRY : The first in India was commenced in 1898 and had a capacity of 10 tons per day.

IRON FOUNDRY : A very large shop covering about 100,00 sq. ft. was fully mechanised with about 1800 staff which included a few women also.
Laboratory : Chemical and metallurgical laboratory existed close to the foundry shop. The laboratory still exists catering for scientific analysis of metallic parts of IR.

ROLLING MILL:  Started in 1879 was closed down recently. It had 3 mills , steam driven Power hammer, fish plate machine, billet shears, The mill was driven by steam from boilers placed on the top of the furnaces and heated by gas from the furnaces. It produced about 400 tons of rounds, channels, angles and fishplates per month.

SIGNAL EQUIPMENTS SHOP: More popularly known as “Points and Crossing and Interlocking shop” was started in 1894. produced entire requirement of Interlocking frames of different sizes for EIR.

Other shops were Brass Foundry, Machine shop, Forge , Smithy, Pattern, Carpenter, Bolt & Nut, Brass finishing, Tin & Coppersmith, Cold Saw Chain Testing, Wheel, Boiler, Millwright, Paint, Tender and a very large Detail Stores.

Jamalpur Shops had their own Power House, and produced Electricity for the entire Workshop and the Staff Qrs. This was commenced in 1901, with with a 100 KW output. The Generators were driven by STEAM at 150lbs pressure supplied from a battery of 14 boilers. Natural drought was supplied by two steel chimneys, each 120 ft. high having a clear diamter of 5ft. 6 inches and these chimneys were built by Jamalpur and erected section by section. The boundary of the workshop was lighted by arc lamps.

A devastating earthquake on 15th. January 1935 flattened everything including the staff quarters which had to be rebuilt.

Source : History of East Indian Railway – By George Huddleston.1906 and other documents consisting of Interviews from retired British staff of E.I.R.

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