My First Railway Adventure: A Memorable Journey on the Narrow Gauge Track

Let me take you back to a time when the first train ride was an exciting and unforgettable experience. Throughout my life, the journey from Kimberley to Cape Town or Cape Town to Kimberley, as I presumed, remains etched in my memory. However, a more recent and detailed account can be shared about my school years, when I took a narrow gauge track journey from Jabalpur to Gondia.

Some Little Known Facts About the Narrow Gauge Track of Satpura Railway

The 227 km narrow gauge (N.G.) track from Jabalpur to Gondia, with a distance of 2'6" between the rails, was one of the longest in the world.

This popular and much loved lifeline of travelers was closed and written off in 2015 after a successful operation of over 100 years. The conversion to broad gauge track of 5'6" wide and electrification is currently in progress.

The low-cost narrow gauge track, built in the former Central Province, was born out of necessity to save human lives during the Great Indian Famine of 1876-1878 and to connect the agricultural and mineral resources in the region.

Due to the poor stability of the narrow gauge and the light-weight compartments, the train’s speed was limited to just 40 km/hour.

The Journey

My journey on the narrow gauge train was both exciting and nerve-wracking. Sitting comfortably at the window seat, I watched the train pass through the villages, tribal areas, fields, and mountain ranges. The sight of people in the fields and village folks standing and watching the passenger coaches as if it was a miracle they were witnessing was mesmerizing.

The train compartments, though small and light-weight, rocked unpredictably as the train moved. In regions with strong blowing winds, the rhythmic rocking became so intense, almost as if the compartment would topple over. This was a strange and terrifying but unforgettable experience.

Another unique aspect of the journey was the numerous passenger halts along the route. Villagers boarded the train with heavy loads of items like farm produce. Many of these travelers did not purchase tickets, and thus, they were traveling free. On some occasions, during the journey, the train driver would stop to give way to animals, particularly cattle, a nice gesture only possible on a low-speed narrow gauge train.

On some sections of the journey, the train would slow down significantly while navigating curves or bridges. This was to the extent that some locals would board or alight the train while it was still in motion, a common occurrence on this narrow gauge track.

The train journey occupied a full day but was nothing short of awesome and memorable. It was a journey that took me back to a simpler time and the inexhaustible thrill of traveling on a narrow gauge track.

Conclusion

While many of us may never have the opportunity to experience the narrow gauge train journey from Jabalpur to Gondia or similar adventures, the stories and photographs of those historic tracks remain a testament to the era of railways. Such nostalgic experiences remind us of the past and the innovations and challenges faced in the development of our transportation infrastructure.