Railways of India

India operates today the third largest national rail network in the world with only the United States and China having more than its 59,640 route miles. Built largely to the broad 5-foot 6-inch gauge, India also includes a substantial mileage of meter gauge, 30-inch gauge, and even 24-inch gauge track. Built in a nation with a huge population and with geography that varies from jungle and desert to Himalayan mountain tops, the story of the Indian railways is a fascinating one. This brief summary is respectful of the reader’s time, but also gives a comprehensive introduction and a bibliography gives sources for further reading for those who wish it.