A Glimpse into India’s Railway Past: Bombay–Madras Timetable of 1876

By Ajjay Bhagyakar | Published by Griha Realty Source: X.com

Source: X.com

A rare Bombay to Madras railway timetable from around 1876 offers a fascinating window into the early years of Indian Railways, highlighting not just long-distance connectivity but also the evolution of station names over time. A Glimpse into India’s Railway Past: Bombay–Madras Timetable of 1876

📜 Old Spellings, Timeless Routes

The historical timetable reveals how several well-known stations were spelled during the colonial era:

• Tanna for today’s Thane

• Callian for Kalyan

• Lanowlee for Lonavala

• Arconum for Arakkonam

• Codoor for Kodur

• And the most amusing of all, Goondacul for Guntakal

These spellings reflect British transliterations of Indian names, many of which later evolved into their modern forms.

🛤️ Birth of a Historic Rail Corridor

The railway line connecting Bombay (now Mumbai) and Madras (now Chennai) was completed in phases during the 19th century. The final and most crucial link at Raichur was established in March 1871, when the Southern Mahratta Railway connected with the Great Indian Peninsula (GIP) Railway.

Shortly after this milestone, the iconic Bombay–Madras Mail was inaugurated on 15 March 1871, marking one of India’s earliest long-distance mail and passenger train services.

🇮🇳 Why This History Matters

This route played a key role in:

• Linking western and southern India by rail

• Supporting trade, administration, and mobility during the colonial period

• Laying the foundation for modern long-haul railway services in India

Even today, the Mumbai–Chennai corridor remains one of the country’s most important rail and transport links.

✨ A Nostalgic Reminder ( A Glimpse into India’s Railway Past: Bombay–Madras Timetable of 1876 )

More than just a timetable, this document is a reminder of how Indian Railways has evolved over 150 years—from steam engines and anglicised station names to high-speed trains and digital ticketing, while continuing to bind the nation together.