Jamalpur

Established on 8 February 1862, the Jamalpur Railway Workshop is one of the oldest and largest locomotive repair workshops of Indian Railways. Since its inception, it has played a crucial role in the development of India’s railway engineering and has long been recognized for its diverse manufacturing and maintenance capabilities.

A Pioneer in Railway Engineering

Jamalpur holds several historic firsts within the Indian Railways system, including:

• The manufacture of a steam locomotive
• Establishment of a rolling mill
• A long legacy of producing and repairing critical railway components

During the peak of the steam era, the workshop handled up to 600 standard units per month during 1962–63. However, with the decline of steam traction in the late 1960s, steam-related activities gradually reduced and eventually ended in August 1992.

Diversification and Modern Operations

Adapting seamlessly to new technologies, Jamalpur expanded its operations into:

• Overhauling and repairing diesel locomotives
• Repair and maintenance of various types of wagons
• Manufacture and overhaul of rail-mounted diesel hydraulic breakdown cranes (20T & 140T capacities)
• Production and repair of tower cars
• Manufacturing of different types of wagons for Indian Railways and CONCOR

This diversification ensured that the workshop remained relevant and efficient as the Indian Railways continued to modernize.

Quality Systems and Environmental Commitment

Jamalpur Railway Workshop achieved ISO 9001:2000 certification on 28 May 2003, placing it on par with leading heavy engineering industries in India involved in rolling stock manufacturing and POH (Periodic Overhauling). This certification reflects its commitment to international quality standards.

In addition, the workshop has implemented several environmental initiatives aimed at pollution control and maintaining a clean and sustainable working environment.

Commemoration

The Department of Posts proudly released a commemorative postage stamp recognizing 150 years of the Jamalpur Railway Workshops, celebrating the vital contributions to Indian Railways and the nation.