Indian Railways has a long history of operations. The first train was run between Mumbai and Thane in 1853. Since then, many things have changed. Indian Railways has changed a lot. There are some new trains running and some old ones lying in the junkyard. Over time, some of the things used by Indian Railways became iconic and the authorities decided to display those things to the public in rail museums. There are several rail museums in India and a rail enthusiast can’t miss on any of those. Here, we have curated a list of 6 railway museums in India that you should definitely visit. You would be surprised to know the hidden facts of railways and vintage locomotives used by Indian Railways in the past.
1. National Rail Museum, New Delhi
The National Railway Museum in India is one of the oldest and most important railway museums in the country.
Located in Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, this museum focuses on the railway heritage of India. It was opened on February 1, 1977, and since then the museum has acquired a reputation as a major tourist attraction in Delhi. Railway fans come to witness this glorious place all around the year.
The National Railway Museum will certainly be your favourite museum in Delhi, and it is a nice place to have you photographed. If you are a rail fanatic and like to learn about the history of rail transport in India, then you must visit the museum once in your lifetime. You get to see the various stages and milestones achieved by the Indian Railways since the start of the first train in 1853.
It is the first railway museum in India and covers an area of 10 hectares and is open every day except Mondays and national holidays. It has more than 1,000 exhibits on the history of the Indian railway system and its history from its beginnings to the present day.
It is a unique museum that shows rare historical pictures and railway artefacts as well as functioning models of the railway system. This unique museum displays a collection of rare and historical photos of trains and locomotives from different periods.
There is also a railway-themed restaurant here to attract visitors. IRCTC is also planning a light and sound show of vintage hotels in the museum complex. The grand project of the IRCTC will certainly catapult the National Railway Museum to the top of the charts of Delhi Tourism.
National Rail Museum Delhi Address:Near Bhutan Embassy, Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, Delhi, 110021, India
How to Reach National Rail Museum, Delhi: The nearest metro station to Rail Museum is Jor Bagh Metro, situated on the yellow line. The museum is just about 2 km from the metro; you can either hire a local or an e-rickshaw. You can also book a taxi cab for a more comfortable journey.
National Rail Museum Delhi Ticket Price:
- 50 per person for Adults (Weekdays)
- 10 per person for Children (3 – 12 years) (Weekdays)
- 100 per person for Adults (Weekend & Govt. holiday)
- 20 per person for Children (3 – 12 years) (Weekend & Govt. holiday)
Note: Family group concession on entry ticket on Weekend and Govt. Holiday INR 200/- for 2 Adults + up to 2 child
Toy Train Tickets Charge
- 100 per person for Adults (Weekdays)
- 100 per person for Children (3 – 12 years) (Weekdays)
- 200 per person for Adults (Weekend & Govt. holiday)
- 200 per person for Children (3 – 12 years) (Weekend & Govt. holiday)
Ticket Charges for Night Entry (Friday to Sunday only)
- 500 per person for Adults
- 300 per person for Children (3 – 12 years)
Note: Age proof may be required at the time of entry) With Complimentary Buffet Dinner and attractive Souvenir.
3D Virtual Coach Ride Tickets Charge
- 100 per person for Adults (Weekdays)
- 100 per person for Children (3 – 12 years) (Weekdays)
- 200 per person for Adults (Weekend & Govt. holiday)
- 200 per person for Children (3 – 12 years) (Weekend & Govt. holiday)
National Rail Museum Phone Number: 011 2688 1826
2. Howrah Rail Museum
Howrah rail museum is the second rail museum started for rail enthusiasts after the national rail museum in New Delhi. It showcases a rich history of Indian railways, but a little more emphasis is placed on the history and development of the Eastern Railway. Since its time as a British colony, Calcutta has served as a hub for the development of the Indian railway system. This was because it was the largest railway station in India and the second-largest in the world at that time.
Located in the heart of the city of Howrah on the outskirts of Kolkata, Howrah Junction is the nearest railway station to rail museum. It houses the largest exhibition on railways in India, which includes more than 1,000 exhibits from the history of the railway system in India and the world.
Howrah Rail Museum Address: Rail Museum Toy Train Line, Howrah Railway Station, Howrah, West Bengal 711101
Howrah Rail Museum Timings: The rail museum is open for visitors from 10:30 AM to 5:30 PM. It remains closed on Mondays.
Howrah Rail Museum Ticket Price: The Howrah Rail Museum charges a minimal entrance fee for people to visit. The entry fee for the visitors is INR 10 per person and children below the age of 3 are can visit free of cost.
How to Reach Howrah Rail Museum: Located in Howrah, Kolkata, it is well connected via road. You can reach at the museum easily through private vehicles as well as public vehicles like buses and taxis. It is located just 5 km from Howrah Junction railway station. The closest airport is the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Airport located 18 KMS away from the museum.
3. Mysuru Rail Museum
Mysore Rail Museum has a long history in which it has played an important role in the development of the railway system in India and its history in general. The museum is famous for being the only place in the country to host an outdoor exhibition of historic locomotives. The best thing about the locomotive on display in the museum is that they are all still in working order, including the unique Austin Railway Car. The Mysore Railway Museum has a large number of signage and several other objects depicting the growth and development of railways in India.
Other interesting exhibits include the MG hand-crane from 1885 and a battery-operated mini toy train, which is a hit with museum visitors, especially children. Among the many interesting exhibits is the hand-operated crane, a replica of a steam locomotive and the original steam engine. With its extensive collection of old and new trains, as well as the unique Austin Railway Car, the museum is said to have piqued children’s curiosity about locomotives.
Mysore Rail Museum Address: KRS Rd, Opp. CFTRI, Medar Block, Yadavagiri, Mysuru, Karnataka 570005
Mysore Railway Museum Timings: Mysore Rail Museum timings are 10.00 AM to 5.30 PM. Visitors can visit this museum on all days of the week except Mondays and national holidays.
Mysore Rail Museum Ticket Price: Visitors are charged a minimal entry fee for exploring the marvellous collection at this railway museum. Entry fee for adults is said to be Rs.15 per person while for children it is Rs.10 only.
How to Reach Mysore Rail Museum: Mysore Rail Museum is located at just 3 km from the city centre. It is situated on the Krishnaraja Sagar Road (KRS Road), standing opposite to the CFT Research Institute. Tourists can take a hired taxi or auto-rickshaw to the museum. If commuting by bus then also there won’t be any hassle, as many Mysore city buses run via railway museum.
4. Chennai Rail Museum
Founded in 2002, the Chennai Regional Railway Museum, which has the richest collection of Indian railway heritage, is one of the oldest and most prestigious railway museums in the world. On an area of about 6 hectares, this wonderful museum also houses several steam engines from the British period. It was inaugurated by Railway Minister Nitish Kumar on 31 March 2002 and opened for the public on 16 April 2003.
The Chennai Rail Museum Heritage Walk is a suitable destination as it houses both historical and technical exhibits. Formerly known as the Regional Railway Museum, the museum includes vintage British-era carriages, some of which are more than a century old.
This enhances the visitor’s understanding of the historical and technical exhibits as well as the cultural and didactic aspects of the museum.
Chennai Rail Museum Address: New Avadi Rd, next to ICF Furnishing Division, Lakshmipuram, Villivakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600038
Chennai Rail Museum Timings: Chennai Rail Museum remains open from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm (Last entry 5.30 pm). The museum is open for visitors from Tuesday to Sunday and remains closed on every Monday and national holidays.
Chennai Rail Museum Ticket Price: There is no entry fee to visit the rail museum.
How to Reach Chennai Rail Museum: Regional Railway Museum, now called as Chennai Rail Museum is located in Lakshmipuram, Chennai. Once you book a cab, head towards the Integral Coach Factory (ICF). When you reach Furnishing Road, you will easily locate your destination. You can also take a cab or taxi from Chennai Central to reach the museum.
5. Pune Rail Museum
Joshi’s Museum of Miniature Railways in Pune is one of its kind. It is for those people who enjoy intricately designed model trains. This museum was first opened to the public in 1998, and soon became a part of tourism in Pune, owing to its novelty factor. What was once a hobby for B.S Joshi, quickly became a tourist attraction featuring numerous model trains he had built up. Unfortunately, after the museum went, Joshi passed away but his family is doing a great job in managing the museum.
Pune Rail Museum Address:17/1, B/2, Late GA Kulkarni Path, Next to, Kothrud, Pune, Maharashtra 411038
Pune Rail Museum Timings:
- SUNDAY 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
- MONDAY 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM
- TUESDAY 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM
- WEDNESDAY 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM
- THURSDAY 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM
- FRIDAY 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM
- SATURDAY 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM, 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Pune Rail Museum Ticket Price:
- Below 3 years Free
- Above 3 years 90/-Rs
Note: To start the show, a minimum of 4 people are required.
How to Reach Pune Rail Museum: You can take a taxi or cab from Pune Junction railway station to reach this museum.
6. Rewari Rail Museum:
The Rewari Railway Heritage Museum (formerly Rewari Steam Locomotive Shed) is a railway museum in Delhi NCR in the city of Rewari, Haryana, India. Started in 1983, it is India’s only remaining steam loco shed. Rewari Rail Heritage Museum houses some of India’s last remaining steam locomotives and the world’s oldest still-functional 1885-built Fairy Queen (locomotive) tourist train. It is situated 400 m north of Rewari railway station entry, 50 km from Gurugram and 79 km from Chanakyapuri National Rail Museum in New Delhi.
Rewari Rail Museum Address: Railway Colony, Rewari, Haryana 123401
Rewari Rail Museum Timings: The museum is open 7 days a week from 09:00 am to 05:00 pm.
Rewari Rail Museum Ticket Price: Entrance is free for all. It can be leisurely covered in 2 to 3 hours even with small kids. Photography is permitted at no charge. There is also a cafeteria, water and toilet.
How to Reach Rewari Rail Museum: You can take a cab or e-rickshaw from Rewari bus stop or railway station which will drop you the museum point.
So, these are the best rail museums in India that you should visit once in your lifetime.
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