Riders of the Indian Railways

First established in the mid-nineteenth century, passenger trains of the government-run Indian Railways continue to be the primary mode of transportation in India. The company refers to itself as the lifeline of the nation, and it is. Transporting approximately 23 million passengers daily, the trains display the vast economic, cultural and religious diversity of the country.

Having photographed extensively in India, I became impressed with the importance of this system to those who ride it, maintain it, and benefit from its commerce. I have sought to portray the railway’s rich human dimension, from lone travelers to entire families, from crowded platforms to quiet solitude, from conversation to prayer.