Why is the Tanggula railway station unique?

Located on the Tibetan Plateau, the Tanggula railway station is one of the loneliest railway stations in the world. It is part of the Qingzang Railway, but is an unstaffed railway station located at 5068 metres above sea level, making it the highest railway station in the world. This station is 1.25 kilometres long and covers 77,002 square metres with 3 rail tracks.

Along with the Golmud to Lhasa section of the Qingzang Railway, the Tanggula railway station was also inaugurated on July 1, 2006. The trains stop here very briefly, and most often, passengers just remain on the train. Tanggula usually serves as a stop-off for repairs or emergencies, but the view from the station (or from the train as it stops or passes by) is very impressive. The region near the railway station is mostly uninhabited, and very few passengers get off at this station. A few kilometres from this station is the Tanggula Pass, which is 5071.9 metres above sea level, making it the highest point of the Qingzang Railway.

The Qingzang Railway was rewarded with a handful of world records. It was recognized as being the highest railway in the world, with the world’s highest railway tunnel (the Fenghuoshan Tunnel) and the world’s highest railway station.

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Which is the longest railway line in the world?

The Trans-Siberian Railway is a railway network that connects Western Russia to the Russian Far East. It is the longest railway line in the world with a length of 9,289 kilometres. Expansion of this railway system is still continuing as of 2021, reaching to Mongolia, China, and North Korea. There is a plan of connecting Tokyo to this network via bridges between the mainland and the islands of Sakhalin and Hokkaido.

Planned and executed by Tsar Alexander III, its construction began in 1891 and took place in different sections from the west (Moscow) and from the east (Vladivostok) and across intermediate reaches through the Mid-Siberian Railway, the Transbaikal Railway, and other lines simultaneously. In the east, the Russians secured China's permission to build a line directly across Manchuria from the Transbaikal region to Vladivostok and this line was completed in 1901.

After the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-05, Russia feared Japan's possible takeover of Manchuria and built a longer and complex alternative route - the Amur Railway, through this region to Vladivostok. The Amur railway line was completed in 1916. As a result, the Trans-Siberian Railroad has two completion dates.

Its completion marked a milestone in the history of Siberia, as it opened up large areas to be exploited for settlement, and industrialization.

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Does India have the longest railway platform in the whole world?

Shree Siddharoodha Swamiji Hubballi Junction, also known as SSS Hubballi Junction, of Karnataka is the longest railway platform. The platform number 1 of Hubballi Junction has a length of 1,505 metres, thus becoming the longest railway platform of the world as of March 2021. The earlier record of being the longest platform was held by the Gorakhpur Railway Station (1366 metres), but with the extension of the Hubballi railway station to include a new platform, it holds that position now.

Hubballi Junction is a premier centre for public and commercial transportation in Karnataka. It is connected to Mumbai (460 kilometres) to its northwest, to Goa (160 kilometres) to the west, to Bengaluru (410 kilometres) to the south, and to Hyderabad (450 kilometres) to the east. It is one of the busiest railway stations in Karnataka after Bengaluru City.

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WHEN DID MALLARD STEAM LOCOMOTIVE GO 126 MPH?

On July 3, 1938, Mallard billowed out smoke as it reached speeds of 126 mph – a little over 200 kmph. With that, Mallard became the world's fastest steam locomotive, a record that it holds till this day.

The 1930s were a golden period for the railways as it saw great developments and some iconic locomotives being built. The fact that the less labour-intensive and more efficient diesel-electrics were entering the world of railways during this time meant that the end was near for steam-powered engines. And yet it was in this climate that Mallard, the world's fastest steam locomotive, was created.

Speed was not only seen as the ultimate sign of modernity during this era, but also a symbol of patriotism. In Great Britain, a region that had thrived during the Industrial Revolution made possible by steam power, two companies - the London, Midland & Scottish (LMS) and the London & North Eastern Railway (LNER) - were in a race to provide the fastest service to Scotland.

Gresley's magic

 Add to this a German challenger, and there was enough reason to get to the zenith of steam traction. Britain came out on top, thanks to LNER'S Mallard, a marvel designed by Sir Nigel Gresley.

Gresley had an illustrious engineering career with plenty of achievements, including designing the Flying Scotsman, the first locomotive to break the 100-mph barrier in the U.K. The A4 class of engines that he designed marked the highest point in a glorious career spent harnessing the power of steam.

Late in 1936, LNER ordered a batch of A4 engines. Named after a bird, Mallard was designed with three cylinders that afforded smooth running at high speeds. Mallard also had the latest modifications, which included streamlined air passages, new Westinghouse brake valves, and an increase in boiler pressure. Mallard was also the first to boast of engineering enhancements in the form of a double chimney and Kylchap blast pipe arrangement, helping the locomotive breathe better by distributing the exhaust smoke more freely.

Bugatti effect

There were some cosmetic changes as well. Gresley was a close friend of Ettore Bugatti, an Italian-born French automobile designer best known for the luxury and racing cars that still bear his name. Based on a French racing blue used on one of Bugatti's race cars, the Mallard was painted in Garter Blue. Bearing the number 4468, Mallard left the Doncaster works railway workshop in March 1938.

For the first few months, Mallard seemed like just another member of LNER'S express locomotive. By this time, the speed record had been raised to 124.5 mph by a German locomotive in 1936, while the English record of 114 mph was set in 1937 by an LMS locomotive.

July 3, 1938 was the day Gresley marked out for Mallard to break the English record held by LMS. A reduced length train with six of the eight cars of a set along with a dynamometer car to record vital parameters, including speed, was assembled. Apart from the experienced driver Joe Duddington and fireman Thomas Bray who were handpicked by Gresley, none of the rest of the crew and technical team was let in on the actual purpose of the run.

After an unremarkable northbound journey, the engineers on the train began to question the purpose of the trip and were let in on the secret. The record attempt was planned for when Mallard would be descending Stoke Bank on the main line between Grantham and Peterborough.

Mallard takes flight

Mallard easily saw off LMS' record as it raced down Stoke Bank at 120 mph for five miles as recorded by the dynamometer car. With the train needing to slow down for the curve at Essendine, there was still one small window when the crew could accelerate further.

They did just that as the Mallard was able to maintain a steady 125 mph and even briefly touched 126 mph - just for a distance of 144 yards according to the recorded data. This meant that the top speed of 124.5 mph. achieved by the German locomotive in May 1936 had also been annihilated.

The heavy braking for the curves at Essendine, however, took a toll on Mallard as the big-end at the front of the three cylinder engine failed. While the crew posed for photographs when the train stopped at Peterborough, the locomotive was removed from the train for repair.

After its historic run, the Mallard returned to its active express duties, covering over 1.4 million miles before it was eventually retired in 1963. Selected for preservation owing to its speed record, Mallard first went on display at the Museum of British Transport in Clapham.

In 1975, Mallard was moved in time for the first day of opening of the National Railway Museum in York. Here, it holds a place of prominence and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors to the museum each year. For, the Mallard, in a way, represents the pinnacle of steam-powered locomotives, just decades before they were phased out.

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Which year the first passenger train started from Mumbai to Thane in India?

On 16 April 1853 the first passenger rail opened in India from Bori Bunder, Bombay to Thane. Covering 34 kms, the train had 14 coaches and was hauled by three locomotives, Sahib, Sindh and Sultan. The fares for first, second and third class coaches were Rs 2 and 10 annas, Re 1 and 1 anna, and 5 annas, respectively.’

India’s first  railway engine, built by Vulcon Foundary in England, which arrived in Mumbai, was named “Falkland” after lord Falkland, the Governor.

The idea of laying railway line between Mumbai & Thane and thereafter upto Kalyan and Bhor Ghat was conceived by George Clark in 1843. He was the Chief Engineer of the Government of Mumbai. Sir Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy, Nana Shankarseth were the part of the committee and gave concrete shape to the plan.Mumbai had the distinction of flagging off Asia’s first railway train. It led to the development of rail links with the rest of the country and made the city the hub of the nation’s commercial life. At Sion, the train made a 15 minutes halt for watering the engines and oiling the new wheels. It finally arrived at Thane which stretched for 24 miles, after 55 minutes, travelling at a speed of 35 mph, to a great welcome from the crowds gathered there. While returning from Thane to Bori Bunder it took only 40 minutes and reached by 7 p.m.The fares from Mumbai to Thane in 1853 were Re. 2 and annas 10 for the first class, Re. 1 and anna 1 for the second class and annas 5 and 3 pice for the third class. Third class fare was about 3 pies per mile.

The project was implemented in the collaboration with Great Indian Peninsula (GIP) Railway Company in England and the East India Company.

Nana Shankarseth, Sir Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy and other prominent local leaders were included in the planning committee.10,000  men worked on the project and 10,000 pounds had spent to lay the railway line. Public holiday was announced and hundreds of people gathered for the inauguration. Mumbai-Thane railway route train carried 4,50,000 passengers in first year without any accident. Four trains ferried to and fro daily.

Credit : Memumbai

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Tell something about Modern Railways?


MODERN TRAINS



There are three types of modern locomotive - electric, diesel-electric and diesel. On an electric locomotive, the wheels are moved by electric motors (normally one for each pair of wheels). The electricity usually comes from overhead cables, but sometimes from an electrified third rail. On a diesel-electric locomotive, the wheels are also driven by electric motors, but the electricity comes from a generator driven by a powerful diesel engine. On a diesel locomotive, a diesel engine drives the wheels via a mechanical transmission. Diesel locomotives are normally used only for shunting and on low-speed local trains. The fastest express trains, such as the French Train a Grande Vitesse (TGV), are normally electrically powered, with a locomotive at each end.



The TGV runs at 300 kilometres per hour - half as fast again as most express trains - and holds the world-record speed of 515 kilometres per hour. It runs on a purpose-built track, which has few bends, and uses computerized signaling.



The TGV can climb steeper slopes than other trains, allowing its purpose-built track to go straight over hills instead of around them.



Many high-speed expresses run on similar tracks, including the Japanese shinkansen or “bullet” trains, which began operating in 1965. Where purpose-built straight tracks are not possible, speeds can be increased by using tilting trains. These tilt inwards as they go round curves at high speed in the same way as motorcyclists do on the road. Other special trains include magnetic levitation (maglev) trains, which are both supported above their tracks and propelled by magnets. Maglev trains can reach very high speeds because there is no friction between the train and the track.




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I want to be a loco pilot in the Indian Railways



I have done my HSC in Science and I want to be a loco pilot in the Indian Railways. What are the requirements to become a loco pilot in the Indian Railways? When does the notification come and what is the procedure to join them?



The basic qualification to become an Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) in the Indian Railways is a three year diploma course in Electrical/Electronics/Mechanical/Automobile Engineering from a recognized Board or Institution like IIT. Eligibility for these courses is tenth grade. Selection is through a written test followed by an interview.



The examination is conduction by the respective Railway Recruitment Board (RRB). There are 21 RRB zones in the Indian Railways. Recently, the Indian Railways released the RRB Assistant Loco Pilot Recruitment Notification 2017 to fill approximately 23,801 vacancies.



Loco pilots assist in driving or piloting the train. The job requires continues attention and a high degree of responsiveness. Initially, candidates are appointed as Assistant Local Pilots with goods trains. After getting some experience, they are appointed to passenger trains, later to express trains, superfast trains and the Rajdhani express trains.



 



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Which mountain railways of India are known for their engineering and scenic views?



The Mountain Railways of India, collectively designated as a United Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site, are still fully functional and operational. Three railways form this heritage site – The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, the Nilgiri Mountain Railway and the Kalka-Shimla Railway. These mountain railways are over a hundred years old and known the world over for their engineering and scenic views. The Mountain Railways of India were first declared a World Heritage Site in 1999. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway was the first to be declared with the remaining added later.



The Kalka-Shimla Railway



This train route runs between Kalka and Shimla. This narrow-gauge railway was built in 1898 by the British to connect their summer capital of Shimla with the rest of the Indian rail system. H.S. Harington was the chief engineer of the project. At the time of its construction, nearly 107 tunnels and 864 bridges were built throughout its course.



This is a recent addition to the heritage list, after it was added by UNESCO as an extension of the Mountain Railways of India in 2008.



The Nilgiris Mountain Railway



This high-altitude railway connects Udhagamandalam (Ooty) and Mettupalayam. Its construction was first proposed in 1854, but commenced only in 1891. Construction of this 45.88 km long meter-gauge single track railway completed in 1908. It has the steepest track in Asia. The train passes through 16 tunnels, 208 curves and over 350 bridges. It scales from a height of 326m to 2,203m.



It was added to the Mountain Railways of India heritage in 2005 by UNESCO. Prior to its entry, the heritage site was known as Darjeeling Himalayan Railway.



The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway



This railway was the first railway to be inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1999. The other railways were added later. It is a narrow-gauge railway that connects New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling. Construction commenced in 1879 and completed in 1881. It runs for a distance of nearly 88km. It travels through different elevations from 100m to 2258m.



Ghum, at 2258m is the highest station on this route and also in India.



 



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