Railway Workshops- Kanchrapara

Established in 1863 by the former Eastern Bengal Railway, the Kanchrapara Railway Workshop is one of the oldest and most versatile workshops of Indian Railways. Set up at its present location within the Loco Complex at Kanchrapara, the workshop has evolved continuously, adapting to new technologies, diverse rolling stock, and the changing needs of the railway system.

Historical Legacy and Adaptability

From its early years, the workshop demonstrated exceptional flexibility in its operations. During both World Wars, Kanchrapara played a significant role by supporting the Defence Department with essential engineering work. Over the decades, it transitioned into a major centre for the Periodic Overhauling (POH) of:

• Electric locomotives
• EMU (Electric Multiple Unit) coaches
  for both Eastern and South Eastern Railways.

In 1965, Kanchrapara achieved a historic milestone by turning out:

• The first electric locomotive after POH
• The first EMU motor coach after POH
  These achievements cemented its position as a pioneering workshop in electric traction systems.

A Leader in Electric Traction Overhauling

Today, Kanchrapara Railway Workshop continues to be at the forefront of railway engineering. It ranks:

• First among Indian Railway workshops in the number of EMU coaches overhauled
• Second in the number of electric locomotives overhauled

This track record highlights its unmatched capabilities and its vital role in supporting India’s growing suburban and mainline electric railway operations.

Quality Certification and Modernisation

In recognition of its high-quality systems and operational excellence, the workshop received ISO 9001:2000 certification in September 2005. With the upgradation to the ISO 9001:2008 standard, Kanchrapara reaffirmed its commitment to meeting the evolving demands of Indian Railways through continuous modernisation and improvements in service quality.

Commemoration

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