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12th April 1867 – First Local Train Service of Western Railway

April 12, 2023

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12th April 1867 was the landmark day when the first local train service of Western railway was introduced between Virar & Backbay, run by Bombay Baroda and Central Indian (BB&CI) railway company. Backbay railway station was located between the station of Churchgate and Marine lines.

Backbay railway station — Old Backbay Railway Station image source: WR

Interesting facts old Western railway local train service:

On 12th April 1867, one train ran in each direction having 4 boggies.
From 1870 onwards the train service was increased to 5 trains a day each way.
Later the train services were restricted to a single round trip. Departure from Viraur (now Virar) at 06:45 am and back journey from Backbay at 05:30 pm.
Following were the stations where train halted: Neela or (Nalasopara), Bassein (Vasai), Panjo (between two creeks of Vasai), Berewla (Borivali), Pahadee (Goregoan), Andaru (Andheri), Santa Cruz, Bandora (Bandra), Mahim, Dadure (Dadar), and Grant Road.
The time took to travel between Virar and Backbay was less than the Churchgate-Virar local takes today, since there weren’t few stations in between.
On June 10, 1869 monthly and quarterly season tickets were introduced on the BB&CI Railway upto Bandra for Ist and IInd class commuters.
The fare of first local train service: Second class was 7 pies per mile, Third-class fare 3 pies. (16 pies made an anna, and 16 annas made a rupee.)
The train had 3 classes, an exclusive coach for women in 2nd class section and separate smoking zone.

Below are some of the important milestones of Western Railway:

12 April 1867: The BB&CI commences daily service between Virar and Backbay
1870: Churchgate station opened
1873: Colaba Terminus commissioned
5 January 1928: First electric train runs between Colaba & Borivili
1930: Colaba station closed
1936: Steam engines are withdrawn from service; Borivili–Virar section electrified
2 March 1961: Introduction of 9-car trains
1972: Total number of services crosses the 500 mark
1986: Introduction of 12-car trains
1992: Introduction of special trains for ladies and reserved seating for seniors
1993: Introduction of special handicapped compartment
2003: Total number of services crosses the 1,000 mark
2007: Indian Railways’ first ATVMs introduced on WR; DC-AC conversion of Borivili–Virar section completed[4]
21 November 2009 : Introduction of 15-car rakes
November 2011: DC-AC conversion of Borivili–Vile Parle section complete[4]
5 February 2012 : Conversion from DC to AC traction completed
16 April 2013 : Extension of line from Virar to Dahanu Road
27 November 2016 : 37th station, Ram Mandir railway station at Oshiwara was opened between Goregaon and Jogeshwari station.