INTRODUCTION
Brief history of Railways:
We are at present so much used to the railways that will be rather astonishing to imagine
the world without Railways before 1825.The railways originated in England. The coaches were
run on the road with a speed of about 13 – 16kmph. In 17th century somebody hit upon an idea of
pulling the loads by a wheeled vehicle, put on the baulks of timber and drawn by horses. This
was the just beginning of the development of main principle on which the permanent way rests.
The term plate laying which is used at present to describe the process of laying of new
track, derives its origin from this early practice of laying iron plates on timbers. In 1789, the cast
iron rails resting on stone blocks were introduced. The steam engines replaced horses and
locomotives began to act as the tractive power. A French mechanic, named NICHOLAS
JOSEPH CUGNOT was the first man to invent and construct a steam locomotive in the year
1769.The first public railway in the history of world was opened for traffic on 27 th September
1825, in England. The railway was run between Stockton and Darlington in the country of
Durham. The Indian Railways have been a great integrating force during the last more than
150 Years. It has bound the economic life of the country and helped in accelerating the
development of industry and agriculture. From a very modest beginning in 1853, when the first
train Steamed off from Mumbai to Thane, a distance of 34 Km., Indian railways have grown into
a vast Network 6909 stations spread over a route length of 63327 km., with a fleet of 8153
locomotives 43350 Passenger Service Vehicals.5905 other coaching vehicles 326000 wagons.
ADVANTAGES OF RAILWAYS OVER OTHER MODE OF TRANSPORT:
Railways has played a vital role in the economic, Industrial and social development of the
country. Generally advantages of railways are classified into three categories they are as follows:
Political Advantages
Social Advantages
Economical Advantages
