Patiala State Monorail Trainways - Passengers, Fares and Cargo

Passengers, Fares and Cargo

The PSMT was begun in 1907. Within a few years the advent of cars and trucks had the same effect on this line as it did on so many others. In 1927 the line was closed and here again it became unique. While most abandoned rail equipment is soon fed to the scrappers torch and furnace, the PSMT's equipment was simply walked away from. For 35 years it rested where it was left. If it were not for a Mr. Mike Satow, a historian of things railroady in India, who discovered the remains in 1962, it would have disappeared from memory by now and so this page is dedicated to him. Largely due to him, one engine was restored to full working order by the Northern Railway Workshops at Amritsar. They also reconstructed the Chief Engineer's private inspection car on an old underframe and the two were placed as an operating display at the National Railway Museum of India.

The only account of operational details of PSMT is found in papers of Colonel Bowles. According to a memorandum dated October 2, 1908, found amongst Colonel Bowles papers, PSMT carried 20,000 passengers in a month on Sirhand - Morinda line. There are no details of the quantity of goods carried.

The fare is stated to be 1½ annas for the entire route. The rate for carrying goods is mentioned to be 1 anna per maund (80 lb).

There is no account available for fares or number of passenger or quantity of goods carried on Patiala - Sunam line.