Stories of the Railway pioneers who cut through the hills and forests of northeastern India during the late 19th century and a better part of the 20th century to build railways in those inhospitable terrains have led to numerous legends, some of them factual and others imaginative. Yet each anecdote is interesting, some bordering on being funny. Here are some of these for all to enjoy.
Strange tale of how the name of an Italian Queen got associated with a remote town in the Indian State of Assam linked to the building of a railway bridge has become partof folklore in those parts. Aworld-famous pizza is also named after this Queen!
Railways in the north east of India worked tirelessly to provide supplies to the troops fighting in World War 2 and to transport wounded soldiers and refugees from Burma (Myanmar) to safety. Enemy soldiers infiltrated deep into railway installations, endangering vital operations. Here is a tale of what happened once.
And then there's a funny incident when Mahatma Gandhi's railway carraige got uncoupled from the train.
Finally, the story of the tiger who almost became a Sation Master!
Compiled by Sanjoy Mookerjee, courtesy N. F. Railway