Cochin State Forest Tramway (collected information)

Tramway Parambikulam to Chalakkudy (1905)
The fairy tale of Tramway is that it was set up in 1905 under the visionary of Maharaja of Cochin Sri. Rama Varma to transport Cochin teak from Parambikulam to Chalakkudy and then to export it to the rest of the World from Cochin Harbour. The money from this tramway was used...
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to equip Cochin into a modern port, Wellington Island, Roads, Bridges etc… Can you believe it… the great Tramway was stopped in 1953. Now only the remnants in the form of rails, bridges, wagons, etc. are there. To give a fitting tribute to the centenary of this Cochin State Forest Tramway a unique innovative eco-friendly trekking Package is launched along this once existed tramway route. The foot trail along this rail trail will give an unique opportunity to witness some of the remnants of Cochin Forest Tramway in the form of bridges, rusted wagons, rails, wheels etc. besides sighting hundreds of birds and animals including Tiger, Elephant, Sambar, Spotted Deer, Sloth Bear, Procupine etc. So explore some of the forgotten mysteries of Cochin State Forest Tramway and stay connected with nature history and heritage

This is the story of an amazing little tramway that was functional during the 1st half of the 20 century. This tramway was laid from the plains of Chalakudy around 40 Kms of North of Cochin to Parambikulam. The lines cuts across the Western Ghats, went through lush green forests, crossed streams and rivers and was considered to be a scenic and enjoyable journey. The Tramway had a total length of around 49.5 miles. Truly this Tramway called - the Cochin State Forest Tramway was nested and webbed through the Western Ghats.

These timber lines were laid for logging in the Parambikulam forests and to transport timber to Chalakudy. The valuable teak and rosewood were further shipped across many continents. The major user of timber from Cochin was the ship building industry in Clyde, UK and many Railways across the world used this timber as the sleepers. There was even a “brand” called “Cochin Teak” famous during those days.

It was the great vision of Sri. Rama Varma “Rajarshi”, who ruled the state of Cochin from 1895 to 1914. Rajarshi was successful in taking the present day Cochin in to the World Map in terms of trade and Commerce. It was during Rajarshi's period the historical Cochin State Forest Tramway was laid in 1901. Originally conceived by Mr. J.C. Kolhoff, the first Conservator of Forests, Cochin, the project was implemented by Mr. V.Alwar Chetty, a Forest Officer on special duty. The initial survey and route alignment were done by British Officers. Mr. Haldwell and Mr. Floukes. The first Tramway Engineer who cleared the forests and laid the lines was Mr. R.E. Haffield. Orenstein and Koppel of Germany supplied all locomotives, rolling stock and machinery for the Tramway. P & W MacLennan of the UK supplied all bridges and culverts. Mr. K.R.Menon was the last Tramway Engineer. The Tramway was inaugurated by the Governor of Madras, Sir Arthur Oliver Villiers Russel, 2nd Baron Ampthill on 3rd October 1905.

So finally this fairy tale tramway was set up in 1905 to tap resource from the forests and bring in wealth to the State Treasury of Cochin. The money was used to equip Cochin for the modern port. The Wellington Island, Roads, Bridges and Educational Institutions of Cochin were funded by this Tramway. These ambitious initiatives transformed Cochin in to a major commercial, industrial and trading Hub of Indian Peninsula. Were you aware of this fact ? Unbelievable …… isn't it


Look at what the great visionary, the Maharaja of Cochin, Sir Rama Varma XV Rajarshi wrote in his autobiography about this route : “In October 1903, I made an extensive tour in the Parambikulam and Nelliyampathy forests traversing them right across. I followed the alignment adopted for my journey to Parambikulam. The discomfort of the journey was more than compensated by the magnificent scenery. Throughout the route I saw endless avenues of trees of immense girth and height and of variegated foliage...

The imperial sylviculturist Mr. H.Champion wrote about this Tramway: “There is nothing like it in India. It is an engineering marvel.” Dr. Salim Ali did his research expeditions and has identified more than 100 species of birds along the entire stretch of tramway.

The entire Tramway was divided in to three sections

1.Started from Chalakudy to Anapantham, covering a distance of 21 miles.
2.Second section was from Kavalai to Pothupara covering a distance of 6 miles.
3.Third section was from Komalapara right upto the last point called Chinnar, now submerged under Parambikulam Reservoir. It covered for about 22.5 miles.
Between sections one and two there were three inclines from Anapantham to Kavalai and between two and three there were two inclines from Pothupara to Komalapara. This inclines worked on rollers and cables with double lines. Empty wagons were rolled up while loaded wagons were pushed down along the other rails. In total it used to take 9 hours to cover the entire distance. Wow ……………. really The Cochin State Forest Tramway was an Engineering marvel.

After running successfully for nearly 50 years and creating history by making Cochin a present day commercial harbour and trading centre, The Cochin State Forest Tramway was abolished in 1951 on the basis of special finance committee report.

Though Cochin State Forest Tramway is an history now but one can cherish those glorious period of Cochin State Forest Tramway by witnessing some of the remnants in the form of broken iron bridges semi rusted wagons, Rail Trails, wheels, workshops, water tanks, wells etc.

To trek along these trails will connect the nature with history and heritage. Hence Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary is running some very special eco-tourism package for those nature lovers who wishes to get connected with nature, history and heritage. Hence this Cochin State Forest Tramway trek for you the special persons.

• Description link click here
• Pic 1-6 collected from internet, rest from Mr. Suresh Elamon's public post click here