7 Mind Blowing Facts About Indian Railways That You May Not Know

The history of Indian Railways began on April 16, 1853, with the first passenger train running from Bori Bunder (Bombay) to Thane, covering a distance of 34 km. The train was powered by three locomotives named Sahib, Sultan, and Sindh.

Bihar holds a significant place in Indian railway history, as Jamalpur near Munger became home to the first railway workshop on February 8, 1862. The workshop was self-sufficient, with its own iron and steel foundry.

The vision for an Indian railway network was conceived by Lord Dalhousie in 1843, during his tenure as Governor-General of India (1848-1856). He laid the groundwork for the vast railway system we see today.

The Hubballi railway station in Karnataka holds the record for the world's longest platform, measuring 1,507 meters. This achievement is recognized in the Guinness Book of World Records and was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Indian Railways' mascot, Bholu the elephant, symbolizes responsibility and stability. Introduced for the 150th-anniversary celebration in 2003, Bholu is depicted as a railway guard holding a lamp.

Howrah Junction in Kolkata is India's busiest railway station with 23 platforms. It serves over a million passengers daily, making it a key hub in the Indian railway system.

Indian Railways boasts one of the largest railway networks globally, stretching over 68,525 km. It also ranks as the world's 8th largest employer, with more than 45,000 km of electrified tracks.