Jamnagar & Dwarka Railway Explained

Railroad Name:Jamnagar & Dwaraka Railway
Locale:Saurashtra, Gujarat
Start Year:1897
End Year:1948
Successor Line:Saurashtra Railway, Western Railway
Hq City:Jamnagar, Dwaraka

Jamnagar & Dwaraka Railway was a metre gauge in the Nawanagar State in Gujarat during 19th century.

History

After the death of Vibhoji Ranmalji in 1895[1] Jashwantsinhji Vibhoji who came on to throne on 28 April 1895 started the first section of what came to be called the Jamnagar Railway. The railway line from Jamnagar (then called Nawanagar) to Rajkot was opened for traffic in 1897 with Bhavnagar-Gondal-Junagad-Porbandar railway line. Until 1905 the railway line length was 87km (54miles). Ranjitsinhji Vibhoji who was the ruler of Nawanagar State worked with Bhavnagar-Gondal-Junagad-Porbandar Railway system until 1911. Later he worked with Dwarka Railway. As the line was extended westwards towards Dwarka and Okha Port on the Gulf of Kutch. Hence the system was renamed as Jamnagar & Dwarka Railway.[2] During 1942 the railway lines increased to 325km (202miles). Later during the regime of Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji, the Jamnagar & Dwaraka Railway was merged into Saurashtra Railway in April 1948.

Rolling stock

In 1936, the company owned 17 locomotives, 3 railcars, 75 coaches and 607 goods wagons.[3]

Classification

It was labeled as a Class II railway according to Indian Railway Classification System of 1926.[4] [5]

Conversion to broad gauge

The railway lines were converted to broad gauge in 1984.[6]

Notes and References

  1. [Nawanagar State]
  2. Web site: About J & D Railway.
  3. Book: World Survey of Foreign Railways . 1936 . Transportation Division, Bureau of foreign and domestic commerce, Washington D.C.. English . 222.
  4. Web site: Indian Railway Classification . 10 November 2022. en.
  5. Book: World Survey of Foreign Railways . 1936 . Transportation Division, Bureau of foreign and domestic commerce, Washington D.C.. English . 220–223.
  6. Web site: Irfca history (1971-1995).