Mumbai: Historic railway relics neglected amid CSMT redevelopment

Sir Leslie Wilson, one of India’s first electric locomotives covered in mud

Covered in debris and mud, Sir Leslie Wilson, one of India's first electric locomotives manufactured in the 1920s, is lying in a neglected state at Mumbai CSMT which is being redeveloped. And so are the other artefacts.

Rare and historic relics of India's first railway company the Great Indian Peninsula Railway, including an 1858 inscription of a bridge, one of the first electric locomotives, iconic old steam engines, mini rail buses and pieces of India's industrial heritage like the old rail printing press and stone crushers are now lying in ruins gathering dust due to the neglect of Central Railway Mumbai.

Redevelopment work underway at CSMT

The open-air museum, known as heritage gully, was inaugurated by CR's general manager in 2018. It is now filled with muck, pits, garbage, and debris, with important relics covered in dust because redevelopment work at Mumbai CSMT station has taken over the site without relocating the artefacts.

"What should we say about the Railways and their love of heritage? Just look at Japanese and European rail museums where all locomotives and rolling stock are in perfect and almost working conditions and we cannot even maintain a static display heritage locomotive?" said railfan Devraj Malekar.

The heritage gully was inaugurated on World Heritage Day, April 18, 2018, by former General Manager DK Sharma. The railway heritage museum was established by teams of railway officials who meticulously gathered data and collected various relics and locomotives from different parts of the state and across the Central Railway. These items were then transported to Mumbai CSMT.

The present administration has completely ignored the museum and failed to shift it to a new location within the time. There were tentative plans to shift the museum to Lonavala, but the promise of a big museum at Lonavala is repeated every few years since 2008 without any action.

The 1858-dated historic plaques of the demolished Carnac Bunder bridge had also been preserved by Central Railway at this site in 2022.

The bridge featured basalt stones at each end, inscribed with its name and the year of construction. Six stones bore these inscriptions, which date back to 1858, presumably marking the beginning of the bridge's construction. Central Railway has preserved these six stones in the Heritage Gully, though they are now under threat.

"This work has been undertaken for the creation of office space so that the heritage buildings I.e., the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus building, and Annex building can be restored to its old Glory. The work for the restoration of various buildings is being completed on priority. Also, the relocation of the heritage gully is planned. Concerned authorities have also been advised for better maintenance of the historical and heritage locomotives," a CR spokesperson said.

Key relics
Sir Leslie Wilson, EF/1: Historic electric locomotive from the 1920s, in service till 1998.
WRB1 Rail Bus: Rare blue diesel rail bus for 76 passengers, served Maharashtra's Jalambh-Khamgaon section.
WCG-2 Electric Loco: 1500V DC electric locomotive, vital for Igatpuri and Khandala ghats.
Heritage Wagon: 1920 Birmingham Railway Carriage Co. wagon, printing press, 1880 fire engine, and steam crane.