Opened 1897-1927 Track gauge 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) | Line length 388 mi (624 km) | |
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Locale West Bengal, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh Owner Martin's Light Railways Operator(s) Martin's Light Railways | ||
Martin's Light Railways (MLR) consisted of following seven 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) narrow gauge lines in states of West Bengal, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh in India. The railways were built and owned by Martin & Co., which was a British company.
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Arrah-Sasaram Light Railway
Arrah-Sasaram Light Railway connecting Arrah and Sasaram in West Bengal in India was opened in 1914. The railway was built in 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) narrow gauge and total length was 69 miles (111 km).
Due to increasing losses, the railway was closed in 1978. In 2006-07, the railway was converted to 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) and train services were resumed.
Barasat-Basirhat Light Railway
Barasat-Basirhat Light Railway connecting Barasat and Basirhat in West Bengal in India was opened in 1914. The railway was built in 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) narrow gauge and total length was 69 miles (111 km). The line was later extended to Hasnabad.
Due to increasing losses, the railway was closed in 1955. In 1962, the railway was converted to 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) and train services were resumed. Later on, this route was converted to 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) broad gauge. The route is now part of Kolkata Suburban railway.
Bukhtiarpur-Bihar Light Railway
Bukhtiarpur-Bihar Light Railway connecting Bakhtiarpur in West Bengal and Bihar Sharif in state of Bihar in India was opened in 1902. The line was later extended to Rajgir. The railway was built in 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) narrow gauge and total length was 33 miles (53 km).
In 1962, the railway was converted to 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) broad gauge and train services were resumed.
Futwah-Islampur Light Railway
Futwah-Islampur Light Railway connecting Futwah and Islampur in Bihar was opened in 1922. The railway was built in 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) narrow gauge and total length was 40 miles (64 km). The railway ran parallel to road for almost its entire route.
The line operated three 0-6-2T locomotives constructed by Manning Wardle of Leeds.
Due to increasing losses, the railway was closed in 1987. Later, the railway was converted to 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) broad gauge and train services were resumed.
Howrah-Amta Light Railway
Howrah-Amta Light Railway had their origin in an agreement, dated 12 June 1889 between the District Board of Howrah and Messrs. Walsh, Lovett & Co., which was subsequently renewed with Messrs. Martin & Co., and sanctioned by Government notification in the Calcutta Gazette of 27 March 1895. The railway connecting Howrah and Amta in West Bengal was opened up to Domjur in 1897, and to Amta in 1898. An extension from Bargachhia (Bargechhe) Junction to Antpur was opened in 1904, and a further extension to Champadanga in 1908. The total length of the railway was 42 miles (68 km). Both the Howrah- Amta and Howrah-Shiakhala lines start from Telkalghat on the Hooghly river, running to Kadamtala station. Here they separate, the Howrah-Sheakhalla line running north-west along the Benares road to Shiakhala in Hooghly district. The Howrah-Amta line runs west, chiefly along the side of the Jagatballabhpur road, and then goes south-west to Amta.
The railway was converted to 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) broad gauge in phase starting from 1984 and completing in 2016. The route is now part of Kolkata Suburban Railway.
Howrah-Sheakhalla Light Railway
Howrah-Sheakhalla Light Railway had their origin in an agreement, dated 12 June 1889 between the District Board of Howrah and Messrs. Walsh, Lovett & Co., which was subsequently renewed with Messrs. Martin & Co., and sanctioned by Government notification in the Calcutta Gazette of 27 March 1895. The railway connecting Howrah and Sheakhalla in West Bengal was opened in November 1897 and the Chanditala-Janai Branch Line was opened in 1898. The total length of the railway was 42 miles (68 km). Both the Howrah- Amta and Howrah-Shiakhala lines start from Telkalghat on the Hooghly river, running to Kadamtala station. Here they separate, the Howrah-Sheakhalla line running north-west along the Benares road to Shiakhala in Hooghly district. The Howrah-Amta line runs west, chiefly along the side of the Jagatballabhpur road, and then goes south-west to Amta.
The railway was converted to 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) broad gauge and reopened in 1990s. The route is now part of Kolkata Suburban Railway.
Shahdara-Saharanpur Light Railway
The Shahdara-Saharanpur Light Railway connecting Shahdara in Delhi and Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh was opened to traffic in 1907. The railway was built in 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) narrow gauge and total length was 93 miles (150 km).
Due to increasing losses, the railway was closed in 1970. It was later converted to 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) broad gauge and repopened in the late 1970s. Although the broad gauge largely follows the same trackbed and alignment as the erstwhile narrow gauge, there is a minor deviation near Saharanpur. The broad gauge line takes off south towards Delhi from Tapri on the main line, while the narrow gauge line did not touch Tapri at all. Other than that, the stations are the same as before.