Mumbai: How CSMT’s 26 British-era heritage clocks are kept ticking

The towering clock atop the World Heritage CSMT building in Mumbai is a testament to the adage ldquoTime and tide wait for no manrdquo As the most iconic of the 26 heritage clocks at the railway terminus it operates with remarkable precision It makes CSMT one of the few stations of national heritage to house such a remarkable collection of functional Britishera clocksThis clock along with several others holds a special place at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus Railway StationldquoThe clocks are of various types and mechanisms The most interesting ones are the mechanical ones which require maintenance twice a week every Tuesday and Thursday They have weights which need to be balanced and one needs to wind the huge keys at regular intervals after which they operate seamlessly Besides the old mechanical ones we have electrical ones which also require regular upkeep and attention It is a real pride to maintain these clocksrdquo said CSMT clockman Mahender SinghA dedicated individual Mahender SinghCentral Railway CPRO Dr Shivraj Manaspure said ldquoChhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus boasts 26 functioning heritage clocks each a mechanical marvel A dedicated individual is exclusively tasked with their maintenance ensuring that these 26 Britishera heritage clocks remain in working order Among them four major clocks stand out due to their distinct sizes and dimensionsrdquoCSMT heritage building clockOne of these notable timepieces is the CSMT heritage building clock Crafted by British timekeepers in 1888 it exemplifies their craftsmanship For the past 135 years this mechanical masterpiece has graced Mumbai with accurate timekeeping With a diameter of 9 feet and weighing 150 kg it relies on an iron chain iron spindle and a complex system of gears and pulleys to function The 150 kg weight powers the main wheel which in turn moves the clockrsquos hands through a series of reduction gears These hands fashioned from copper facilitate timekeeping To maintain visibility at night the clockrsquos front panel is constructed from acrylic sheeting and illuminated by five mercury light bulbsThe main wheel wound with an iron chain on its spindle requires weekly rotation referred to as keying the clock This action balances the hanging weightrsquos height Regular maintenance involves the crucial tasks of oiling and greasing every componentMini tower clockThe mini tower clock mirrors the CSMT heritage building clock in many aspects With a diameter of 328 feet 1 meter it resides in the star chamber Operating on a weightbased system this mechanical clock relies on a 50 kg weight to drive the main wheel and two pulleybased gear systemsJoint clockTwo joint clocks imposing timekeepers that emphasise the significance of time for countless local train passengers Installed around 1925 coinciding with the advent of electric trains it spans 11 feet in diameter Operating electromechanically it transforms 230 V AC into 220 V DC This voltage generates an electric pulse every 30 seconds propelling the clockrsquos hands An acrylic sheet on the front panel and a backlit mercury bulb enhance nighttime visibility The clock requires periodic maintenance involving lubrication and greasing of various parts including wheels pulleys and gears Its historical presence likely dates back to the platformrsquos constructionJohn Walker clockThe John Walker clock is a fully mechanical pendulum clock With a 5 kg weight guiding its spindle it orchestrates the clockrsquos movements This weight descends over time and requires adjustment every 3 days or 75 hours precisely These 23 heritage clocks grace different officialsrsquo chambers embodying heritage value and the importance of timeldquoThese monumental heritage clocks remind Mumbaikars that time is integral to the railwayrsquos functioning Additionally they offer a glimpse into a bygone era when wristwatches were scarce The giant CSMT clock in particular guided Mumbaikars in adhering to punctuality echoing the sentiment that time does not waitrdquo Dr Manaspure added135Age of the CSMT building clock