Mymensingh was one of the earliest towns in Bengal to be connected by railway during the British era.
In 1886, the Eastern Bengal Railway constructed a line from Narayanganj to Mymensingh, mainly to transport jute from northern Bengal to Narayanganj Port for export through the Buriganga river. Over time, branch lines were extended towards Gouripur in Mymensingh, Jamalpur, Bhairab in Kishoreganj and Netrokona.
Around 140 years later, many British-era heritage items once used at railway stations across the Mymensingh region are lying idle and unused, without proper preservation.
The situation began after the introduction of the Computer Based Interlock (CBI) railway signalling system in 2014, replacing the British-era Neel Token Interlock.
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The items include furniture used by railway officials as well as lamps, clocks and other equipment that are rarely seen today.
Many such items have already been lost or damaged over the years.
During a recent visit to Mymensingh Railway Station, a few hand and tail lamps were seen hanging from window rods, covered with a thick layer of dust.
Abdullah Al Harun, superintendent of the station, said the lamps were still usable and in good condition, but had remained idle since 2014.
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The “block instruments” used to clear railway tracks during the British era can still be found at different stations, but are no longer in use, said Sheikh Uzzal Mahmud, station master at Melandah Railway Station.
Two such instruments have been lying idle at Melandah station since the closure of Jamalpur Court and Durmut stations in 2022, he added.
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Sabina Yeasmin, field officer of Department of Archeology (Dhaka and Mymensingh), said they would collect the heritage items for preservation if the railway authorities granted permission.
