Animal Power

The train, which was an amalgamation of wagons and carriages was, in early times, pulled by horses, bullocks, ponies or mules. Most o what is known about the way these animal powered train services flourished can be gleaned only from old paintings, old records and correspondences pertaining to that period. What can be inferred is that the track on which these trains ran consisted of two distinct parallel lines, with rails mounted on stone blocks. This arrangement was perfect for animal traction and coaches moved along smoothly. The space between the lines was clear and ideal for the animal to run or trot on. Evidences suggest that the initial coaches might have been run on the description of stage coaches. With increase in passenger traffic more improvised coaches were put to use.

The origin of this system in UK and other parts of Europe and USA can be traced to the use of horses to draw wagons of coal on the colliery lines. This mode of transportation of goods and passengers developed before 1825 and continued well into the 1830s. Not much thrust was given to passenger travel and at times they were accommodated when there was no coal to be hauled. These initial trains wereby contractors who paid the necessary tolls. There were single wagon trains and at times the number went up to as many as 6 coaches. In France, a series of coaches was drawn by two horses. The train had 4 coaches. Of these, two coaches were the closed in type and the remaining two double-deckers. Each of the coaches had a coachman sitting in front. Some of the coaches were fitted with brakes to control its speed. First class travel was relatively comfortable with good seats and curtains for privacy. In double tiered coaches, the lower deck was occupied by the gentry while the upper deck by the common people. The fare varied in each of these classes.

In India, though the first railway line run by the great Indian Peninsula Railway between Bombay and Thane was on steam, there were plenty of lines that were run with animal power. These lines were generally the smaller lines or feeder lines used to connect the main lines run by the two major railway companies-Great Indian Peninsula Railway and East India Railway Company.

One of the most memorable of such lines run in India was the one connecting Miyagam-Dhaboi in the State of Baroda, in 1862. The credit of introducing this line goes to a very effective and pioneer ruler, Khanderao Gaekwad of Baroda, who understood the importance of linkages by train. Dabhoi was an important trading center and Khanderao did not want it catered to by cart roads. To solve this hurdle the line came into existence.

The train was run on the narrow gauge (2 ft and 6 inches) and is said to be amongst the pioneer of narrow gauge. The rails were laid weighing 13 lb and it was built with the help of the Government of Bombay. Though steam engines were imported it could not be used as the rail were lighter. This line therefore ran on animal power. Each train consisted of 4-6 wagons (vehicles). The wagons loaded with goods were pulled by a pair of bullocks while the passenger trains were served by bullocks while the passenger trains were served by bullocks or ponies. This route was run with animal power till 1873 whence it was replaced by steam engines. The animal drawn train had an eleven year old innings and the speed of the train varied between 2-3 miles per hour.

Other information which can be gathered implies that the coaches were shaped similar to carriage in trams. Goods were carried an open wagons resembling platforms. Mixed carriage trains, i.e. those carrying both goods as well as passengers seemed to have also been operational.