Title - Western Railway's oldest clock is ticking since 1889

To trace the roots of its oldest functional tower clock in it Lower Parel Workshop, Western Railway dug out history and looked back to find possible details of the only one of its size clock.

Western Railway found that this 19th century clock was manufactured by UK-based Gillet and Johnston company in 1889. From the time this clock was installed, it has been ticking since then.

According WR public relation officer, "Railway has been maintaining its assets with utmost care. This clock needs to be wound once a week and then its runs on its own."

One cannot find a single functional clock like this anywhere in Mumbai division. The clock also has markings of old Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway (BB&CI). Around 14,000 tower clocks were made there from 1844 to 1954. The manufacturing facility of this clock was situated at Union Road, Croydon, England. This facility made these clocks from 1844 to 1957 after which it was shut down and demolished in 1997.

The heritage clock is also equipped with an old bell with a diameter of 425 mm and height of 430 mm. It weighs 57 kgs. Besides bell, a fire alarm system has been incorporated below the bell that sets of in case of fire.

The tower clock, iron bell and mechanical fire alarm also make it a complete set of functional 19th-century equipment.