Dadar–Solapur section

Dadar–Solapur section
Dadar–Solapur section
	Pune Junction, an important railway station on Dadar–Solapur section
Overview
Status	Operational
Owner	Indian Railways
Locale	Maharashtra
Termini	Dadar; Solapur;
Service
Type	Indian Railways Station
Services	Mumbai–Chennai line
Operator(s)	Central Railway
Depot(s)	Kalyan, Badlapur, Pune, Lonavla
Rolling stock	WDM-2, WDM-3A, WDM-3D, WDG-3A and WDG-4 diesel locos. WCAM-2, WCAM-3, WCAG-1, WAG-5, WAG-7, WAG-9 and WCM-6 electric locos.
History
Opened	1860
Technical
Track length	Main line:446 km (277 mi); Branch lines:; Kurduvadi-Latur 153 km (95 mi); Kurduvadi-Miraj 190 km (118 mi)
Number of tracks	2/1
Track gauge	5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) broad gauge
Electrification	Main line: 25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead lines
Operating speed	Main line: up to 130 km/h
Highest elevation	Lonavla 622 metres (2,041 ft)
Route map
Route map
	Legend
	To Vasai Road–Roha line
	and Ahmedabad–Mumbai main line
	To Vasai Road–Roha line
	and Konkan Railway
	Daund Chord Line
	to Manmad–Daund branch line

Dadar–Solapur section is part of the Mumbai–Chennai line. It connects Dadar and Solapur both in the Indian state of Maharashtra.

History

The first passenger train in India from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus in Mumbai to Thane ran on 16 April 1853 on the track laid by the Great Indian Peninsula Railway. The GIPR line was extended to Kalyan Junction in 1854 and then on the south-east side to Khopoli via Palasdari at the foot of the Western Ghats in 1856. While construction work was in progress across the Bhor Ghat, GIPR opened to public the Khandala–Pune track in 1858.

The Bhor Ghat incline connecting Palasdari to Khandala was completed in 1862, thereby connecting Mumbai and Pune.^[1] The Western Ghats presented a big obstacle to the railway engineers in the 1860s. The summit of the Bhor Ghat (earlier spelt as Bhore Ghat) incline being 2,027 feet. The maximum gradient was: 1 in 37 with extreme curvature. "The works on the Bhore ghat comprised 25 tunnels of a total length of nearly 4,000 yards, two of the longest being 435 yards and 341 yards respectively. The Bhore ghat have eight lofty viaducts having a total length of 2,961 feet. Two of the largest are more than 500 feet long with a maximum height of 1160 and 163 feet. There are 22 bridges of spans from 7 to 30 feet and 81 culverts of various sizes."^[2] The construction of the Bhor Ghat incline came at a high price: an estimated 24,000 builders died during the eight years of construction.^[3]^[4] That is roughly one dead builder per meter of railway line - or an average of 8 dead builders per day for a time span of 8 years - an incredible death toll made possible by the neglect and carelessness of British colonialists.

The Pune–Raichur sector of the Mumbai–Chennai line was opened in stages: the portion from Pune to Barshi Road was opened in 1859, from Barshi Road to Mohol in 1860 and from Mohol to Solapur also in 1860. Work on the line from Solapur southwards was begun in 1865 and the line was extended to Raichur in 1871.^[5]

The 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) Manmad–Daund line was opened in 1878 and connected the two main sections (the south-east and north east) of GIPR.^[6]

Barsi Light Railway was a 202-mile (325 km) long, 2 ft 6 in (762 mm)-wide railway from Kurduvadi Junction to Latur. It was opened in 1897 on a 22-mile (35 km) long railway track from Barsi Road to Barsi, and extended in stages.^[7] The narrow-gauge line from Barsi Road to Pandharpur was extended to Miraj in 1927.^[8] Gauge conversion from 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) to 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) of the Miraj-Latur track and extension of the new line to Latur Road was taken up in 1992 and completed in stages. The last phase of the 375-kilometre (233 mi) long project was completed in 2008.^[9]

Electrification

Railway electrification in India began with the first electric train, between Bombay Victoria Terminus and Kurla by the Great Indian Peninsula Railway's (GIPR) on 3 February 1925, on 1.5 kV DC. The Kalyan–Pune section was electrified with 1.5 kV DC overhead system in 1930.^[10]

The previously used 1.5 kV DC was converted to 25 kV AC on 5 May 2013 from Kalyan to Khopoli and Kalyan to Kasara.^[11] Conversion from 1.5 kV DC to 25 kV AC on the Lokmanya Tilak Terminus-Thane-Kalyan section was completed on 12 January 2014.^[12] The CSMT to LTT section was converted from 1.5 kV DC to 25 kV AC on 8 June 2015.^[13]^[14] The Kasara-Pune section was also converted from 1.5 kV DC to 25 kV AC.

The Pune–Daund section as well as Daund-Bhigwan section was electrified in 2017.^[15] The electrification of the Bhigwan-Kalaburgi section was completed on 25 March 2022. With this, the Mumbai Chennai section is fully electrified.^[16] In September 2022, the entire Mumbai-Chennai section was also doubled.^[17]

Speed limit

The Kalyan–Pune–Daund-Wadi line is classified as 'Group B' line and can take speeds up to 130 km/h.^[18] However, the stretch between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Kalyan Junction is classified as 'Group A' lines, where trains can take speed up to 160 km/h.

Loco sheds

Kalyan diesel loco shed houses WDM-2, WDM-3A, WDM-3D, WDP 4D, WDG-3A and WDG-4 locos. Kalyan electric loco shed houses WAP-7, WCAM-2, WCAM-3, WCAG-1, WAG-5, WAG-7 and WAG-9 locos. Pune diesel loco shed houses 175+ locos. These include WDM-2, WDM-3A, WDM-3D, WDG-3A, WDP-4D and WDG-4 locos. Pune trip shed houses WAP-4, WAP-5, WAP-7, WCAM-2/2P, WCAM-3 and WCAG-1 locos. Pune has one trip shed for WDS-4 shunters and another for Pune–Lonavla EMUs. Lonavla has an AC trip shed for Bhor Ghat bankers. Kurduwadi had a narrow gauge diesel loco shed for Barsi Light Railway. The shed was closed down after conversion to the broad-gauge railway.^[19] Historic stock included the WCG-2, WCM-1, WCM-2, WCM-3, WCM-4, WCM-5, WCP-1, WCP-2, WCP-3, and WCP-4 electric locomotives. Also a new loco shed is under construction in Daund.

Workshop

Kurduwadi Workshop was set up for repair of narrow gauge steam locomotives, coaches and wagons by Barsi Light Railway in 1930. After conversion to the broad-gauge, Kurduwadi Workshop now undertakes rehabilitation of 20 broad-gauge wagons per month.^[20]

Passenger movement

Dadar, Pune and Solapur on this line, are amongst the top hundred booking stations of Indian Railway.^[21]

References

^ "IR History: Early Days – I : Chronology of railways in India, Part 2 (1832–1865)". IRFCA. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
^ "Eminent Railwaymen of Yesteryears by R.R.Bhandari". James J. Berkley / Bhore Ghat. IRFCA. Retrieved 3 December 2013.
^ Aditi Shah (9 May 2019). "Bhor Ghat Incline: Triumph & Tragedy". Retrieved 30 October 2020.
^ Kamal Mishra (14 March 2017). "24,000 dead workers: Ghats have a hell station, and a story to tell". Retrieved 30 October 2020.
^ Chronology of railways in India, Part 2 (1870–1899). "IR History: Early Days – II". IRFCA. Retrieved 3 December 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
^ "Railways". Ahmadnagar District Gazetteer. Archived from the original on 20 August 2013. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
^ "Barsi Light Railway". fibis. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
^ "IR History Part III (1900–1947)". Retrieved 4 December 2013.
^ "Miraj-Kurduwadi-Latur G.C. Work" (PDF). IRICEN, Pune. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
^ "Electric Traction I". History of Electrification. IRFCA. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
^ "From May 5, faster Central Railway with AC power" - Times of India. The Times of India (30 April 2013). Retrieved on 2013-07-16.
^ "Soon, faster trains on Kalyan-LTT route" - Times of India. The Times of India (13 January 2014). Retrieved on 2014-06-11.
^ "Central Railway plans DC/AC switch in May" - Times of India. The Times of India (25 March 2014). Retrieved on 2014-06-11.
^ "DC to AC conversion on Mumbai's Central Railways rail route completed". The Economic Times. Mumbai: PTI. 8 June 2015. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
^ "Pune-Daund local brings respite for daily commuters". Pune Mirror. 18 January 2017.
^ "March 2021: When the Mumbai-Chennai Railway Route Will Be Fully Doubled, Electrified". 1 September 2020.
^ "Indian Railways announce completion of doubling, electrification in Mumbai-Chennai sector". 3 September 2022.
^ "Chapter II – The Maintenance of Permanent Way". Retrieved 3 December 2013.
^ "Sheds and Workshops". IRFCA. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
^ "Mechanical Department – Kurduwadi Workshop". Central Railway. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
^ "Indian Railways Passenger Reservation Enquiry". Availability in trains for Top 100 Booking Stations of Indian Railways. IRFCA. Archived from the original on 10 May 2014. Retrieved 3 December 2013.

External links

[IR_History:_Early_Days_–_I-1] "IR History: Early Days – I : Chronology of railways in India, Part 2 (1832–1865)". IRFCA. Retrieved 20 March 2014.

[2] "Eminent Railwaymen of Yesteryears by R.R.Bhandari". James J. Berkley / Bhore Ghat. IRFCA. Retrieved 3 December 2013.

[livehistoryindia-3] Aditi Shah (9 May 2019). "Bhor Ghat Incline: Triumph & Tragedy". Retrieved 30 October 2020.

[bangaloremirror-4] Kamal Mishra (14 March 2017). "24,000 dead workers: Ghats have a hell station, and a story to tell". Retrieved 30 October 2020.

[IR_History:_Early_Days_–_II-5] Chronology of railways in India, Part 2 (1870–1899). "IR History: Early Days – II". IRFCA. Retrieved 3 December 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

[6] "Railways". Ahmadnagar District Gazetteer. Archived from the original on 20 August 2013. Retrieved 24 March 2013.

[7] "Barsi Light Railway". fibis. Retrieved 4 December 2013.

[8] "IR History Part III (1900–1947)". Retrieved 4 December 2013.

[9] "Miraj-Kurduwadi-Latur G.C. Work" (PDF). IRICEN, Pune. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 4 December 2013.

[10] "Electric Traction I". History of Electrification. IRFCA. Retrieved 20 March 2014.

[11] "From May 5, faster Central Railway with AC power" - Times of India. The Times of India (30 April 2013). Retrieved on 2013-07-16.

[indiatimes1-12] "Soon, faster trains on Kalyan-LTT route" - Times of India. The Times of India (13 January 2014). Retrieved on 2014-06-11.

[indiatimes2-13] "Central Railway plans DC/AC switch in May" - Times of India. The Times of India (25 March 2014). Retrieved on 2014-06-11.

[14] "DC to AC conversion on Mumbai's Central Railways rail route completed". The Economic Times. Mumbai: PTI. 8 June 2015. Retrieved 2 January 2016.

[15] "Pune-Daund local brings respite for daily commuters". Pune Mirror. 18 January 2017.

[16] "March 2021: When the Mumbai-Chennai Railway Route Will Be Fully Doubled, Electrified". 1 September 2020.

[17] "Indian Railways announce completion of doubling, electrification in Mumbai-Chennai sector". 3 September 2022.

[18] "Chapter II – The Maintenance of Permanent Way". Retrieved 3 December 2013.

[19] "Sheds and Workshops". IRFCA. Retrieved 4 December 2013.

[20] "Mechanical Department – Kurduwadi Workshop". Central Railway. Retrieved 4 December 2013.

[21] "Indian Railways Passenger Reservation Enquiry". Availability in trains for Top 100 Booking Stations of Indian Railways. IRFCA. Archived from the original on 10 May 2014. Retrieved 3 December 2013.

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v t e Railways in Western India
National network / trunk lines	New Delhi–Mumbai main line Konkan Railway Howrah–Prayagraj–Mumbai line Howrah–Nagpur–Mumbai line Mumbai–Chennai line Jaipur–Ahmedabad line Ahmedabad–Mumbai main line
Branch lines / sections	Mathura–Vadodara section Akola–Ratlam line Nagda–Ujjain section Ujjain–Bhopal section Ahmedabad–Viramgam section Bhusawal–Kalyan section Gandhidham–Ahmedabad main line Gandhidham–Bhuj section Gandhidham–Kandla Port section Gandhidham–Palanpur section Gandhidham–Samakhiali section Jodhpur–Bathinda line Maliya Miyana–Wankaner section Marwar Junction–Munabao line Mumbai Dadar–Solapur section Nagpur–Bhusawal section Samakhiali–Maliya Miyana section Solapur–Guntakal section Surendranagar–Bhavnagar line Viramgam–Mahesana section Viramgam–Maliya Miyana section Viramgam–Okha line Dharangadhra–Surendra Nagar section Viramgam–Surendra Nagar section Wankaner–Surendra Nagar section Rajkot–Wankaner section Jamnagar–Porbandar line Porbandar–Jetalsar section Rajkot–Somnath line Palitana–Sihor section Bharuch–Dahej line Ankleshwar–Rajpipla section Anand–Khambhat line Vasad–Kathana line Kanjari Boriyavi–Vadtal line Anand–Godhra section Bilimora–Waghai section Udhna–Jalgaon line Ahmedabad–Udaipur line
Suburban lines	Ahmedabad (Planned) Mumbai (Western line Central line Harbour line Trans-Harbour line Port line) Pune
Metro rail	Mumbai Metro Navi Mumbai Metro Metro-Link Express for Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad Greater Nashik Metro Surat Metro Pune Metro Nagpur Metro
Monorail	Mumbai
Defunct lines revived / under revival	Nagpur Chhattisgarh Railway Barsi Light Railway
Defunct lines	Salsette–Trombay Railway Bhavnagar State Railway Gaekwar's Baroda State Railway Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway Cutch State Railway
Railway divisions	Bhusawal Pune
Railway companies	Central Railway Western Railway West Central Railway Konkan Railway Corporation Great Indian Peninsula Railway Saurashtra Railway Mumbai Port Trust Railway
See also	Indian Railways Ahmedabad–Prayagraj (Allahabad) Weekly Superfast Express Bholu (mascot) Urban rail transit in India Delhi–Mumbai Industrial Corridor Project Mumbai–Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor Bhor Ghat