Bankura–Damodar Railway

1st Phase Journey Started on 15 December 1916 and 2nd and final Phase Started on 6th  June 1917. 
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The railway was built in 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) gauge and total length was 97 kilometres.
 
The railway was known as Bankura Damodar Railway, as it used to terminate at Rainagar, which was on banks of Damodar River. People used to take ferries to cross river to go on other side and catch Transport for Bardhaman.
 
The standard locomotive for BDR was a powerful 0-6-4T Steam Engine, design from W. G. Bagnall of Stafford, but during the First World War some 2-6-2T engines were also obtained from Bagnall,
 
There were two Sentinel locomotives left; one is now preserved at the National Rail Museum, New Delhi. A steam loco shed at Bankura served the narrow gauge line.
 
The BDR services were withdrawn in 1995 after it incurred huge losses due to higher maintenance costs, falling passenger numbers.
This small Railway is the part of many Bengali Movies. Example One of the Very famous song : “Sab Khelar Sera Bangalir tumi Fooball” From the Movie “Dhanyi Meye” Singer : “Mr. Manna Dey”  
 
Some Technical Details of this Nostalgic “Bankura–Damodar Railway”
Distance Covered: 97 kilometres
Average Speed: 22Km / Hour
Locomotive Type : Steam
 
After long Protest by the People of this Zone, finally In 2005, the 120.3 kilometres long railway section was converted to 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) Broad Gauge and train services were resumed which extended its part to Masagram in 2012, thus making Masagram Junction point of Bankura Damodar Railway & connecting Howrah–Bardhhaman chord.