Barsi Light Railway

The Barsi Light Railway was a convert|202|mi|km|sing=on long convert|2|ft|6|in|mm|0|abbr=on gauge railway in western India. It was the brainchild of British engineer Everard Calthrop, and was regarded as having revolutionised narrow gauge railway construction in India.

Calthrop worked as a locomotive inspector for the Great Indian Peninsula Railway, and in 1886 requested leave to investigate proposals for independent branchlines. He identified two schemes of particular interest, a convert|5|mi|km|sing=on tramway connecting the Hindu religious centre of Nasik with the railway, and a convert|21|mi|km|sing=on branchline to the town of Barsi. The Great Indian Peninsula Railway approved both schemes, and Calthrop undertook a survey of both lines. In 1887 he registered the Indian Railways Feeder Lines Company in London to promote the construction of feeders to the railway, and commenced negotiations with the Indian government to build the Barsi Light Railway. The Great Indian Peninsula Railway suggested that he either return to his duties as a locomotive inspector, or, with their support, resign to further promote branch lines. His health was failing, and so in 1889 Calthrop resigned from the Great Indian Peninsula Railway. Working as a consultant he then supervised the construction of the convert|2|ft|6|in|mm|0|abbr=on gauge horse-powered Nasik Tramway, using his previous survey.Gratton, Robert, 2005,"The Leek & Manifold Valley Light Railway", RCL Publications.]

During his time in India Calthrop developed his ideas on the construction of narrow gauge railways. He surmised that the axle load on the axles of all rolling stock, including locomotives, could be equal, allowing a maximum loading of goods wagons. He settled on a loading of 5 tons per axle, which was light enough to allow railway lines to be built with 30 pounds per yard (15 kg/m) rail. Further, he argued that using a track gauge of convert|2|ft|6|in|mm|0|abbr=on was the best compromise between economy of construction and carrying capacity.Calthrop, E. R., 1997,"Light Railway Construction", Plateway Press.]

In 1895 the negotiations that started in 1887 finally reached a satisfactory conclusion, and Calthrop formed a new company to build the Barsi Light Railway, and employed himself as consulting engineer. The railway became a showcase for his ideas. Five 0-8-4T locomotives, with even distribution of axle load, were constructed to Calthrop's specification by Kitson & Co. The goods rolling stock was constructed on common convert|25|ft|m x 7 feet (7.62 metres by 2.13 metres) pressed steel underframes, reducing tare weight and maximising wagon loads. Calthrop recognised the importance of railways in warfare, and designed the rolling stock to facilitate the movement of troops and equipment. Rolling stock road on pressed-steel Fox bogies, using the Timmis system of double coiled springs.anon "Engineering" January 12, 1897.] The line was constructed with rail inclination, then a new idea, which involves tilting the rail a few degrees to make its surface more nearly parallel with that of the tyre. Inclination is now applied universally to railways. [cite web |url=http://www.narrow-gauge-pleasure.co.uk/rlyleekandmanifold.html|title=The Leek and Manifold Light Railway |accessdate=2008-06-02 |author=Lewis, Nick|date= |work=Narrow Gauge Pleasure |publisher=]

Prior to shipment of the rolling stock to India, Calthrop and the Leeds Forge Company, manufacturer of the rolling stock, conducted tests on a specially built test track located at Newlay, near Leeds. The line was opened for inspection by railway officials and journalists, and a number of reports were published in the technical railway press. anon "E R Calthrop & the Newlay Exhibition" Narrow Gauge & Industrial Railway Modelling Review No. 69 Jan 2007]

The Barsi Light Railway opened in 1897, and was extended on a number of occasions until it reached a total length of 202 miles (337 km) in 1927. Hughes, Hugh 1994 "Indian Locomotives Pt. 3, Narrow Gauge 1863-1940". Continental Railway Circle.] The example of the Barsi Light Railway is regarded as having revolutionised the narrow gauge railway system of Indian subcontinent, [cite web |url=http://www.irfca.org/articles/isrs/isrs082004-steam-history.html |title=Steam in History |accessdate=2008-06-02 |author=Bhandari, R R |date= |work=The IRFCA Server |publisher=Indian Railways Fan Club] and the railway was immensely successful, establishing Calthrop as one of the leading figures in the field.Turner, Keith 1980, "The Leak and Manifold Light Railway", Newton Abbot, David & Charles.] Calthrop remained Consulting Engineer until he retired due to ill health two years prior to his death. The Barsi Light Railway continued to be operated as a privately owned railway until 1954 when it was purchased by the Indian government, and continued to operate as a narrow gauge railway until conversion to broad gauge began in the late 1990s as part of Indian Railways conversion program for all metre and narrow gauge lines. Marshall, Lawrence C., 2001 "Indian Narrow Gauge Steam Remembered" Plateway Press, East Harling]

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