EIR Picture Gallery


Over the years I have collected a few pictures related to East Indian Railway, the fore runner of Eastern Railway, in a passion of excavating the History of East Indian Railway. A few visitors to my site have sent their request to give more pictures of erstwhile EIR. In this page I have tried to put some of these with the aspiration that people, specially IR rail fans may get some pleasure in viewing this page. I have only one request to please send your views to me for correction if any. The pictures were collected by me from different sources mentioned. Those not mentioned preferred to remain anonymous.
	The first train of EIR flagged off full to its capacity on 15th. of August 1854 ,from Howrah to Hooghly a distance of 24 miles. 3000 applications were received for the first ride, but only a few could be accommodated. The train having three first Class, two second class and three "trucks" for the third class passengers, a brakevan for the Guard all constructed in Calcutta, left Howrah at 8:30 A.M. and reached Hooghly after 91 minutes. (Photo courtesy- CPRO-E.Rly).
	Though the inaugural run was made on the 15th. of August 1854 its official opening was done on 3rd. of February 1855 and Burdwan was chosen as the appropriate venue for the festivities in this connection. The then Governor General Lord Dalhousie could not undertake the journey due to indisposition but attended a service in this connection at Howrah Station. Nearly one thousand guests were invited for the inaugural ceremony by the Governor General and after the ceremony went by two trains to Burdwan .
	This is a picture of the E.I.R Head Quaters Office in Calcutta. I presume this must be the initial office at 14, Theater Road prior to 1879 when the office was shifted to its present location at Fairlie Place. (Photo courtesy - CPRO-ER)
	The present building Eastern Railway Head Office at Fairlie place was not so big and was having a different look. The picture here and the one below shows after being taken over by E.I.R. in 1879,the building was remodelled The exact date of the picture is not available probably some time in 1925. The history of the building says it was initially this place where the old Fort William was situated just by the side of the Hooghly. and Siraj-ud-ulla conquered this Fort and many English "fighters" were killed in the war. Prior to being occupied by E.I.R. this building housed Indian National Museum, Calcutta temporarily for about two years. ( Photo courtesy- CWM-Liluah)

	This is arial view of Howrah Station area some time between 1936-40. Note the Pontoon Bridge connecting Calcutta with Howrah. The present famous Cantilever Howrah Bridge was constructed later. Courtesy Our dear IRFCA veteran member John Lacey.
	This was down loaded from Internet. The four wheeler coach was probably used for temporary residence by an European employee of E.I.R seen in the picture in 1905.
	A Double deck coach constructed by Liluah Workshop. (This is a model). Presently is at the Howrah Heritage Museum
	This 4-wheeler saloon was manufactured at Liluah Workshop in 1911 . The Coach is presently preserved inside the Liluah Workshop as a shell model. Presently is at the Howrah Heritage Museum
	Jamalpur Workshop, established on 8th. February,1862, enjoys the distinction of being the oldest and the largest Locomotive workshop in India. The Picture shows activities of Erecting Shop during the hay days of Steam era.
	Sealdah, the only terminal for long distance trains in Calcutta city, have undergone a lot of changes during the 70s and presently(2001) there is plenty of activities in the area giving a complete renovated new look of a commercial complex. I thought it better to put an old picture of 1862 here so that a comparison will be possible afterwards. (Photo courtesy - CPRO,ER)
	The NRM at Delhi has an exhibit of Sheep Van from Liluah Workshop. This Picture shows an Elephant cage Wagon for transporting Elephants also manufactured at Liluah Workshops in 1927. But why ? Probably Elephants were used in transporting heavy track materials during construction activities of E.I.R. (Photo courtesy- CWM,Liluah)
	This picture if an E.I.R Coach has been inserted with kind permission of John Lacey again.
	John Lacey is really a mine of heritage photographs. This Picture from John shows a "Steam Rail bus" used in Dhanbad Jharia Section of E.I.R. The section is still operative but Rail buses no longer ply.
	Down Loaded from Web. This type of Wall Clocks (and many other items used in early 1900s) are still available in store godowns of various Divisions, over Eastern Railway having E.I.R. legend printed on them. Note the cute little Steam Loco model at the bottom.
	Picture of one of earliest mail trains in India, Indian Imperial Mail( Calcutta- Bombay). Ran between Howrah and Bombay. (Photo courtesy - John Lacey)
	This is the picture of Erecting Shop in Jamalpur workshop. Most probably at the time of reconstruction of the workshop after devastating earthquake of 1935. (Photo courtesy - John Lacey)
	EIR had rail lines at a very fast rate. But all places could not be connected for want of bridges across rivers. But EIR ran ferry services at those places to carry passenger on the other side of the river. (Photo courtesy - John Lacey)
	4-2-2-4 type Sentinel Steam Rail Coach, Steam propelled 12 wheeler with power unit at the center and passengers on either side. There were three of them procured in 1928, bearing Nos. 5310, 5311 and 5312. Makers: Cammel Laird & Co. Ltd. (Photo courtesy - John Lacey)
	People travelling on Grand Chord line might have noticed a large stone obelisk a few yards away from tracks just before entering Gujhandi station. This is a mute witness to an unsolved mystery of the death of one the most brilliant traffic officers of E.I.R Sir William Arthur Dring, who later became the Agent of E.I.R in 1907. Dring, travelling by Bombay Howrah Mail, disappeared from his Saloon on 24th.November 1912, at this place mysteriously. (Photo courtesy- CPRO-ER)
	Starting from 1901 the present Howrah Station building was completed in 1906. This colourful red brick masonry has undergone several modifications over the years. This picture dates back to 1928 when there was a portico on the north side also similar to one on the east. Note the vast circulating area free of shops and buildings seen now. (Photo courtesy - CPRO-ER) .
	By the year 1944 the Howrah station was in fact bubbling with miscellaneous activities. A large part of it being goods transport.
	These are coaches manufactured by Liluah Workshops for King Emperor's visit to India during 1911. In the background is a partial view of Liluah Workshop. This workshop was started in 1900. (Photo courtesy- CWM/LLH)