A leather bound album, with 26 pages, measuring 335 x 460 mm, with black and white photographs relating to the construction of the Nilgiri (or Nilagiri) Railway. The photographs were taken by Philip Boesinger of Coonor. The photographs are mounted on boards which are taped into the binding. The collection belonged to the family of Mrs Sue Prideaux, which had tea-planting connections in India.
The Nilgiri Railway is part of the larger, South Indian Railway line which extends from Madras to Bangalore. The Nilgiri extends East from Coonoor Station to Mettapolian Station in the West and is renowned for its steep gradients. J.N. Westwood comments: 'Technically, the most interesting of the hill railways is the Nilgiri Railway, an isolated narrow gauge connection between the big railhead at Mettupaliyam and the hill resort of Ootacamund (i.e. Udagamandalam). There are 1 in 25 adhesion grades, and even steeper stretches where the Abt rack system is used' (Westwood 1974).
Nilgiri [i.e. Nilagiri] Railway
This material is held atRoyal Commonwealth Society Library
- Reference
- GB 115 RCS/Y3022TTTT
- Dates of Creation
- 1897
- Name of Creator
- Language of Material
- English .
- Physical Description
- 1 album(s) 27 images in 1 album
Scope and Content
Administrative / Biographical History
Philip Boesinger was active in Coonoor around 1897. It is not known whether he was a professional or amateur photographer.
Access Information
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Acquisition Information
Presented by Mrs Sue Prideaux in December 1993.
Note
Includes index.
Other Finding Aids
A catalogue of the collection can be found on ArchiveSearch.
Alternative Form Available
An identical set of photographs is held in the India Office Library, reference B 83/1.
Physical Characteristics and/or Technical Requirements
The photographs are in good condition although the album cover does show signs of damage.
Bibliography
For general information about the Nilgiri Railway see: Westwood, John Norton (1974), 'Railways of India', Newton Abbot; North Pomfret, Vt.: David and Charles.
Additional Information
This collection level description was entered by SG using information from the original typescript catalogue.
Boesinger, Philip, fl 1897