First passenger railway in India opens from Bombay to Thana

Background. The Great Indian Peninsula Railway, incorporated in 1849, planned an experimental line from Bombay to Thana. Governor General Lord Dalhousie set the broad gauge in 1851. Construction faced delays due to heavy showers in October 1851. The first locomotive arrived in 1852, and a trial run occurred in November 1852, paving the way for the official commercial service in April 1853.

Inauguration. The official inauguration on 16 April 1853 was celebrated as a public holiday. The first commercial passenger train departed from Bori Bunder to Thane, carrying 400 passengers in 14 carriages. The journey took 57 minutes, slightly longer than the previous year's trial run. Regular services began on 18 April 1853, with two daily services each way.

Early Operations. The line was initially an experimental section. The first locomotive was tested at Byculla in 1852. Three locomotives, named Sahib, Sindh, and Sultan, hauled the inaugural train. The event was documented in contemporary publications, including the Illustrated London News, which featured sketches of stations and the journey.

Logistics and Resources. In September 1852, three locomotives and rail carriages arrived on the ship Charles, accompanied by six European locomotive drivers. These resources were essential for the subsequent trial runs and the official commercial service that began in April 1853.