Centenary Of Overland Mail BNR's through connection to Calcutta became operative with the opening of Roopnarain Bridge at Kolaghat in April 1900. Soon thereafter, a through communication between Calcutta and Bombay was established via the BNR route and passenger services were introduced. This was followed by introduction of a fast mail train, popularly known as 2 Up/1Dn or Dn/Up overland mail. This train is poised to complete 100 years of its operation. A study of the timetable for the last 100 years makes an interesting reading. The train timings from 1907 to 2001 are tabulated below: [snip] John W. Mitchell, author of the book "The Wheels of IND" describes his first journey from Bombay to Calcutta to join his position as Asstt. Traffic Superintendent, BNR in a very lucid manner. Extracts from his book: "The Down Overland Mail to Calcutta via Nagpur left the Victoria Terminus at 15.30 (3.30 p.m.). My friend and I were aboard. The broad roominess of the carriages was at once apparent, showing that full advantage had been taken of the broad gauge of 5 ft. 6 in. A comfortable leather-upholstered seat ran lengthways at each side of the compartment. [snip] http://www.serailway.gov.in/General/Book_RRB/centenary_of_overland_mail.htm ----- Harshawardhan_Bosham Nimkhedkar Nagpur, India