Jamalpur, the first Railway Workshop of India
The Workshop, established near Munger, in Bihar was a part of East Indian Railway and led the way for future workshop setups
On 8th February 1862, the first railway workshop of India was established in Jamalpur, Bihar. As there was not much industrial development outside, the Workshop established its own Iron and Steel Foundry, becoming quite self sustaining. The Jamalpur Workshop is also said to have commissioned the first Rolling Mill in Asia.
Turning Shop (1st Bay), at Jamalpur Railway Workshop in 1897 by Subrata NathNational Rail Museum
The Line Shaft System was used to power Turning Machines, and a Steam Powerhouse at Jamalpur generated electricity for the Workshop.
The new iron foundry at Jamalpur Railway Workshop, in 1897 by Subrata NathNational Rail Museum
The Iron Foundry or Cast Iron Foundry at Jamalpur Railway Workshop.
The foundry catered to the need for Iron Castings or Cast Iron castings. Later, the Workshop became a major producer of Cast Iron Brake Blocks for the Indian Railways, until gradually, Cast Iron Brake Blocks were replaced by those made of Composite Materials.
The Iron Foundry and Casting Section at the Jamalpur Railway Workshops, in 1897 by Subrata NathNational Rail Museum
The casting section generally used sand casting and metal moulds. Moulds were set on the ground and molten metals from the Cupola Furnace were carried in ladles.
Till early in the 21st century, the system of casting brake blocks was mostly manual. With introduction of composite brake blocks, iron casting was discontinued.
A general view of the rolling mills at Jamalpur Railway Workshop, in 1897 by Subrata NathNational Rail Museum
Still preserved in good condition, the Steel Rolling Mill at the Jamalpur Railway Workshop is said to be the first in Asia.
Jamalpur Technical Institue by Subrata NathNational Rail Museum
The Jamalpur Technical Institute was established in 1897, for training of Workshop Officials.
Visit of His Excellency The Earl of Elgin Kincardine to Jamalpur Workshop in 1897 by Subrata NathNational Rail Museum
In this photo: the 1897 Visit of His Excellency The Earl of Elgin and Kincardine to the East Indian Railway Workshop at Jamalpur, Bihar.
Mechanics Institute Jamalpur 1897 by Subrata NathNational Rail Museum
A rare photo of the Mechanics Institute at Jamalpur, from 1897.
Native Workmen leaving Workshops after work - the Jamalpur Railway Workshops in 1897 by Subrata NathNational Rail Museum
A special train, colloquially known as the 'Cooliee Gaddi' was run to take workmen to and from the Jamalpur Workshop. Its timings matched those of the Workshop.
This rare photo is from 1897.
Locomotive Superintendent Residence Jamalpur-1897 by Subrata NathNational Rail Museum
The Locomotive Superintendent's Residence, at Jamalpur (1897).
Heritage Directorate, Railway Board, Indian Railways
