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National Rail Museum

The National Rail Museum is located in the national capital city of Delhi in the Chanakyapuri area. It spreads over 10 acres in the heart of the city amid verdant and landscaped prime land. It showcases the long and illustrious history of the evolution of Indian Railways and proudly displays the heritage of one of the biggest railway networks in the world. It was inaugurated on 1st February 1977.

Features of Railway Museum

 The National Rail Museum has more than 100 exhibits displayed outdoors as well as indoors. The museum covers an area of 10 acres where  real-life models of trains and engines, signalling systems, antique carriages furnished for Royalty, photographs and literature that show the development of Railways for over 150 years, are displayed.

There are some very special carriages or coaches that were used by the erstwhile Royalty in different parts of India under British Rule. These carriages are luxurious and furnished with exotic and elegant furniture for the comfort of the princes that used them. These well preserved Royal coaches built in the 19th century, such as the Prince of Wales Saloon or the Maharaja of Mysore’s Saloon decorated with brocades and rosewood are excellent examples.

The oldest running steam engine or locomotive built in 1855, named Fairy Queen is one of the most sought after exhibit. It is very well maintained and in running condition.

The toy train ride also attracts many visitors especially the children. The museum also offers as exhibit a mono rail that was in use in the early 20th Century.  There is lovely lake here where visitors can take boat rides. The handsome Morris Fire Engine stands smartly near the exit.

On Exhibit

  • Patiala State Monorail Train System:

Built in the early 20th century, 1907 to be precise was a steam monorail that ran for 6 miles between Bassi and Sirhind in Punjab.

On exhibition are the steam engine and the Inspection Car of the Chief Engineer of this unique Patiala State Monorail Train that was recovered by a Rail Historian, Mike Satow from the Railway Scrap Yard. It had a single rail on which the train ran on load-bearing wheels that were balanced by a single large wheel at the back.

The monorail was designed by Col. Bowles based on a unique system called “Ewing System”. The train was built by a German Firm Orenstein & Koppel and ran from 1907 to 1927. It was closed when cars, buses and other better and faster transports became available. The engine on exhibition has been fully restored by the Amritsar workshop of Northern Railway and is in working condition. The Inspection Car of the Chief Engineer has also been reconstructed.

 

  • Fairy Queen:

  • The oldest running steam engine or locomotive built in 1855, named Fairy Queen is one of the most sought after exhibit. It is very well maintained and is still in running condition.

  • Fire Engine:

  • Morris Fire Engine is a rare exhibit that adorns the Rail Museum. It is the last fully preserved and functional Fire Engine that was built by the firm, John Morris and Sons Ltd of England in Manchester in 1914. There are two Morris Fire engines existing in the world at present. One is a model made in 1912 that is preserved at the White Webbs Museum of Transport at London. However this specimen has been converted and now has pneumatic tyres and not solid rubber tyres like the original. Hence the Morris fire engine at National Rail Museum, which still has solid rubber tyres, is the one and only specimen that is completely original and functioning.

  •  Electric Locomotive Sir Leslie Wilson:

  • Originally belonging to the Great Indian Peninsular railway which is now the Central railway of the Indian Railways, the WCG 1, Electric Engine or Locomotive was one of the first electric locomotives in India built before Independence. It was in operation for shunting until recently till 1994. It had a unique design and body that worked well in deep curves of the Ghats.

  • Electric Locomotive Sir Roger Lumley: This Electric Locomotive was also made in England in 1930 and was known as the WCP1 engine. It has an unusual wheel arrangement that is not seen at present. The engine took its power from 1500 Volts Direct Overhead Traction. This was the locomotive that took the famous Deccan Queen Express from Pune to Mumbai and back when the train was launched. A prototype of this locomotive has been placed at the Nehru Science Centre, Mumbai for public viewing.

Information for Visitors

  • Timings:  Every day except Mondays and National Holidays April to September - 9.30 am to 7.00 pm October to March - 9:30 am to 5 pm.
  • Ticket Cost: Entry Ticket Rs.10 per person
  • Location: Chanakyapuri, New Delhi
  • Attractions: More than 100 Exhibits of Locomotives, Carriages, Signal Systems, Photographs and Literature.

How to Reach

By Road

Delhi has enough number of roads to connect all places in the city. The public road transport is also well developed and which is assisted by other modes of transport such as taxis and auto-rikshaws. It is very easy to travel from any part of Delhi to the Rail Museum.

By Air

The Indira Gandhi International which connects Delhi with the rest of the country and with the world is one of the biggest and most modern airports of the world. Almost all major cities and capital cities are connected vide regular flights.

By Train

The Metro rail system developed and run by DMRC or Delhi Metro Rail Corporation connects almost all of Delhi. At present the nearest Metro Station is Dhaula Kuan. With the third stage of the Delhi Metro in progress, there will be a metro station quite near the rail museum.

The nearest railway station is Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway station.

By Bus

The public bus transport network run by the Delhi Transport Corporation offers many bus routes from many parts of Delhi and pass by the Rail Museum.

 

 

 

 

 

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