Lord Falkland (locomotive)

Lord Falkland was the first steam locomotive to run in Bombay. It made its maiden run on 18 February 1852,^[1] fourteen months before the official opening of the Great Indian Peninsula Railway (the company that operated it) on 16 April 1853, the beginning of rail transport in India.

It was Named after the then Governor of Bombay, Lucius Cary, the tenth Lord Falkland. The Locomotive was a tank engine presumably built by E.B.Wilson Foundry, the same foundry whose standard gauge loco Thomason first ran in Roorkee December 1851, during the construction of the Solani Aqueduct. A locomotive of the 0-6-0 configuration,^[2] it was primarily used for shunting wagons, later also for pulling first trial train run between Bombay and Tannah (now Thane) in November 1852.

Commencement of service

A Bombay Telegraph report of 17 February 1852 reported that, "She has been landed six days..." suggesting that The Locomotive apparently arrived in Bombay via a ship on 11/12 February 1852. The Engine was pulled on a public road by around 200 coolies, all the way to its shed at the erstwhile toddy farm of Phipps' Oart. The Land belonging to William Phipps among others was purchased by the GIPR at a cost of ₹4000 to house the engine. The locomotive made its first run on 18 February 1852, when it ran between Byculla and Parel. The response of the natives of Bombay was great, with them standing outside its shed with wonder, exclaiming with amazement a "Shabash" (great) when the locomotive began its journey. The locomotive began at a walking pace, later speeding up to 15 mi/h (24 km/h). For some time, the natives gathered around the moving contraption, pressing all around her, and barely leaving the line clear. The Locomotive reached Parel, the then seat of power of the Governor, where it waited for sometime. The second trip was soon undertaken, with this time a lady among the passengers. There were slight stoppages to correct certain issues, but the locomotive appeared in perfect order.^[3]

In regular operations

The locomotive was soon put in regular service to Sion, carrying Ballast. Once word spread that the loco was used to transport rubbish, and a clarification had to be provided. The steam powered contraption soon became a thing of immense public interest, with the natives observing keenly the immensity pulling twelve wagons up a steep slope during its operations. Unsatisfied of looking from the side, they would come extremely close to the moving engine, only clearing the path when it came just a few meters away. This was deemed dangerous, and it was suggested, that police be provided here for the safety of the public. Eventually, twelve men with sticks, headed by a European, were employed constantly to keep the crowds away. Some people sensing an opportunity, set up booths selling toddy and cakes, for the visitors coming to watch the operation for hours.^[3]

Falkland pulling the first trial train run

On 18 November 1852, a trial journey was undertaken by the company, between Bombay and Tannah, pulled by the Lord Falkland. The passengers were to be the directors, engineers and their friends, making their afternoon journey to the Parsick (Parsik) point in Tannah.^[3] As reported by the Allen's Indian Mail of 1852, the journey would begin at noon, reaching their destination at around 1 p.m.. With the carriages still not in order, trucks would be fitted up instead. At Parsick, they would tiffin in the tunnel present there, and after some time leaving back for Bombay, and reaching by sunset.^[4] The locomotives and carriages for the GIPR had arrived two months prior in September 1852, but were still under the process of commissioning, the engines being expected to be ready by February of the following year. The contractors hence provided their only working, Lord Falkland for this journey.

The journey was extensively documented by The Bombay Times (now known as The Times of India) describing the entire route from start to finish, even documenting the works at Tannah. This journey received a large of a response, with several gathering around the line at Mazagaon. This time, the engine achieved a maximum speed of 50 mph (80kmph), with an average of 30 mph (about 48kmph). The Journey was completed in just 45 minutes.^[1]

Aftermath

The Official train journey that took place on 16 April 1853 between Bori Bunder and Tannah, was pulled not by the veteran Lord Falkland, but reportedly by three locomotives, named Sindh, Sultan and Sahib. Lord Falkland continued its service on the line for sometime. Several years later, it was sold to the BB&CI Railway that too began its service in the western part of Bombay in the 1860s.^[1]

References