Indian Railways at 173: Original Thane Rail Bridge Image Redefines Early Train History
Pune, 16th April 2025: Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday shared what is described as one of the oldest verified images of the historic Thane railway bridge along with an early train, coinciding with the 173rd anniversary of Indian Railways.
The image relates to the early phase of railway construction linked to India’s first passenger train service that ran between Mumbai and Thane in 1853.
The development has drawn attention from railway historians and enthusiasts, particularly due to long-standing concerns about the circulation of inaccurate or misattributed images associated with early railway infrastructure.
According to author and historian Rajendra B. Aklekar, previously circulated visuals of a train on the bridge did not correspond with historical records. He stated that the use of a verified photograph helps correct earlier inconsistencies and aligns the visual narrative with documented evidence.
The Thane bridge remains a significant structure in India’s railway history, associated with the country’s first passenger train journey. Archival accuracy related to such landmarks has been an ongoing issue, with multiple stylised or incorrect representations appearing in public discourse over time.
The sharing of the image has also triggered discussions on the need for preserving original records and ensuring historically accurate representation of key milestones in India’s railway development.
