Bitragunta Turntable

An archival photo of a turntable used for reversing of steam engines at Bitragunta Loco Shed in Andhra Pradesh.

Inaugurated in:1934 (loco round house in 1908 and shed in 1934)
Turntable was used for reversing of steam engines (Change the direction) at one of the biggest junction in Southern India, at that time.

During it's heyday, 2500 employees used to work in this shed to repair steam engines..
The shed was active till the arrival of Electric locomotives(1982) and was dismantled in 2011.

Anecdote: Bitragunta was an important landmark for railways and it was one of the biggest locomotive sheds in Indian railways till steam engines were replaced by diesel and electrical locomotives. The loco shed was constructed in 1885 and the roundhouse with turntable facility was added in 1934.The shed had capacity to handle 50 steam locomotives with major yard and an inter-changing depot for drivers and guards. It is still an inter-changing depot for guards and drivers manning goods and passenger trains.