Mumbai: Nearly a century ago, on February 3, 1925, history was made when India’s first electric train ran between Victoria Terminus (now Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, CSMT) and Kurla on the Harbour Line. To commemorate this monumental milestone, Central Railway is set to host a grand centenary celebration at CSMT on February 3, 2025, an official said.
On that historic day in 1925, Sir Leslie Wilson, then Governor of Bombay, arrived at Victoria Terminus with Lady Wilson in a regal horse-drawn carriage to grace the inauguration ceremony. The first electric train—comprising four coaches—was flagged off at 10:00 AM from Platform No. 2 amid great fanfare. The honor of driving this pioneering Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) train was given to Jehangir Framji Daruwala, who earned his place in history as India’s first motorman for an electric train.
"This event marked the dawn of electrified rail transport in India and across Asia, bringing about a revolutionary shift in railway operations. Electrification significantly improved efficiency, reduced travel time, enhanced punctuality, and provided a cost-effective and sustainable mode of transport," said an official of Central Railway.
To commemorate this milestone, Central Railway has planned an elaborate celebration at CSMT, bringing together railway enthusiasts, historians, school children, and prominent personalities.
According to Central Railway, a key highlight of the event will be the display of a historic electric locomotive built in 1928, named after Sir Leslie Wilson, which remained in service until 1974. This iconic engine symbolizes India’s rich railway heritage and will serve as a tribute to the legacy of electrification.
Additionally, Central Railway has produced a documentary featuring glimpses of the historic first run of the electric train. The celebrations will also include exhibitions, cultural programs, and interactive sessions to engage visitors and educate them on the evolution of railway electrification.
"The electrification of railways transformed train travel in India, eliminating the need for frequent engine changes, reducing delays, improving reliability, and lowering operational costs. It also boosted the cleanliness of rail transport by reducing dependency on coal-powered steam engines," stated an official of Central Railway.
Now, Indian Railways is on an ambitious path toward 100% electrification, demonstrating its commitment to sustainability, modernization, and technological advancement. "As Indian Railways celebrates 100 years of electrification, this milestone serves as a testament to its journey from a single electrified route in 1925 to an extensive network today. This grand event at CSMT is not just a tribute to the past but also an inspiration for future generations—highlighting the innovations and advancements that continue to shape the future of rail transport in India," an official added.
General Manager CR unveils Logo and launches Jingle -Celebrations to mark 100 years of Electrification begins
Dharam Veer Meena, General Manager, Central Railway unveiled the logo of 100 years of Electrification and launched a Jingle to initiate the Centenary celebration of Electrification on Central Railway on Thursday at CSMT. According to CR, the journey of electric traction in India began on February 3, 1925, when the Great Indian Peninsula Railway (GIPR) now Central Railway ran the first electric train ( between Bombay VT (now CSMT) and Kurla Harbour, a distance of 16 kms.
The journey of the 4 Coach EMU (Electric train is also known as EMU -Electric Multiple Unit- in railway lingo), operating on a 1500V DC system marked the beginning of a significant era for the Indian Railways, transitioning from steam-powered locomotives to electric traction. By 1928 the GIPR was running 4 Coach EMU on the Harbour line and 8 Coach EMU on the Main line. Sir Leslie Wilson, first generation Electric Locomotives were introduced in India in 1928. This was a C-C design 1500V DC locomotive.