6 Rail Museums in India You Need to Visit
If you are a railway fanatic and want to learn about the history of railway transport in India, you must visit the rail museum once in your life. There are several rail museums in India and a railway enthusiast cannot miss them. Indian Railways has a long history of operations. The first train ran in the middle of Mumbai and Thane in 1853. A lot has changed since then. Indian railways have changed a lot. Some new trains are running and some old ones are lying in the scrap yard. Over time, some of the items used by the Indian Railways became iconic and the authorities decided to display them to the public in railway museums. Here we have compiled a list of 6 Indian Railway Museums that you must visit. You would be surprised to know the hidden facts about railways and old locomotives used by Indian Railways in the past.
National Rail Museum, New Delhi
The National Rail Museum of India is one of the oldest and most important rail museums in the country. Located in Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, this museum focuses on India’s railway heritage. It was inaugurated on February 1, 1977 and since then the museum has gained the reputation of being a major tourist attraction in Delhi. Railway enthusiasts come to see this wonderful place all year round.
The National Railway Museum is definitely your favourite rail museum in Delhi and a beautiful place to take pictures. You can see the various stages and milestones of Indian Railways since the first train was launched in 1853. Spread over 10 acres, it is India’s first railway museum and is open every day except Mondays and public holidays. It has more than 1,000 exhibits on the history of the Indian railway system and its history from its inception to the present day. It is a unique museum that displays rare historical images and railroad artefacts, as well as working models of the railroad system. This unique museum displays a collection of rare and historic photographs of trains and locomotives from various eras. IRCTC is also planning a light and sound show of vintage hotels at the museum complex. IRCTC’s mega project is sure to push the National Railway Museum to the top of Delhi’s tourism list.
Delhi National Rail Museum Address: Near Bhutan Embassy, Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, Delhi, 110021, India
How to reach Delhi National Rail Museum: The nearest metro station to the Railway Museum is Jor Bagh Metro Station, which is on the Yellow Line. The museum is only about 2 km from the metro station; you can hire a local or e-rickshaw. You can also book a taxi for a more comfortable journey.
Delhi National Rail Museum Ticket Price:
- 50/- per person for adults (weekdays)
- 10/- per person for children (aged 3-12) (weekdays)
- 100/- per person for adults (weekends and public holidays)
- 20/- per person for children (aged 3-12) (weekends and national holidays)
Note: Family group discount on weekend admission and Govt. Holiday INR 200/- for 2 adults and 2 children
Toy Train Tickets Charge
- 100/- per person for adults (on weekdays)
- 100/- per person for children (aged 3-12) (on weekdays)
- 200/- per person for adults (weekends and national holidays)
- Children (aged 3-12) per 200 people (weekends and public holidays)
Ticket Charges for Night Entry (Friday to Sunday only)
- 500/- per person for adults
- 300/- per person for children (3-12 years)
Note: Proof of age may be required upon entry.) Complimentary buffet dinner and attractive souvenirs.
3D Virtual Coach Ride Tickets Charge
- 100/- per person for adults (on weekdays)
- 100/- per person for children (aged 3-12) (on weekdays)
- 200/- per person for adults (weekends and national holidays)
- 200/- per person for children (age 3-12 years) (weekend and government). Holiday)
National Rail Museum Telephone number: 011 2688 1826
Howrah Rail Museum
After the National Railway Museum in New Delhi, the Howrah Railway Museum is the second railway museum created for railway enthusiasts. It shows the rich history of Indian Railways but with a little more emphasis on the history and development of the Eastern Railway. Ever since Calcutta was a British colony, it has been the center for the development of India’s railway system. That is because at that time it was the largest railway station in India and the second largest in the world. Howrah Junction is located in the heart of Howrah city on the outskirts of Kolkata and is the nearest station to the Railway Museum. India’s largest railway exhibition is here with more than 1,000 exhibits on the history of the railway system in India and the world.
Howrah Rail Museum Address: Railway Museum Toy Train Line, Howrah Railway Station, Howrah, West Bengal 711101
Howrah Rail Museum Timings: The Railway Museum is open to visitors from 10:30 am. to 5:30 p.m. It is closed on Mondays.
Howrah Rail Museum Ticket Price: Howrah Rail Museum charges people a minimal entry fee. The entry fee for visitors is INR 10 per person and children below 3 years can visit for free.
How to Reach Howrah Rail Museum: Located in Howrah, Kolkata and well connected by road. The museum is easily accessible by both private vehicles and public vehicles such as buses and taxis. It is just 5 km from Howrah Junction Railway Station. The nearest airport is Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Airport, 18 km from the museum.
Mysuru Rail Museum
The Mysore Railway Museum has a long history of playing an important role in the development of the Indian railway system 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 locomotives on display in the museum is that they are all still in operation, including the unique Austin car. The Mysore Railway Museum has a large number of plaques and various other artifacts depicting the growth and development of Indian railways.
Other interesting exhibits include an MG hand crane from 1885 and a battery-operated mini toy train which is popular with museum visitors, especially children. Among the many interesting exhibits are a manually operated crane, a replica steam locomotive, and an original steam engine. With its extensive collection of old and new trains and a unique Austin train car, the museum is said to spark children’s curiosity about locomotives.
Mysore Rail Museum Address: KRS Rd, Opp. CFTRI, Medar Block, Yadavagiri, Mysuru, Karnataka 570005
Mysore Rail Museum Timings: Mysore Railway Museum Timings are 10 AM to 5:30 PM. Visitors can visit this museum on all days of the week except Mondays and public holidays.
Mysore Rail Museum Ticket Fee: Visitors pay a small entrance fee to explore the excellent collection at this railway museum. The entry fee for adults is said to be 15 rupees per person, while it is only 10 rupees for children.
How to reach Mysore Rail Museum: Mysore Railway Museum is just 3 km from the city center. It is located on Krishnaraja Sagar Road (KRS Road) opposite CFT Research Institute. Tourists can go to the museum by hired taxi or rickshaw. If you are traveling by bus, there is no problem either, as many Mysore city buses pass through the Railway Museum.
Chennai Rail Museum
Established in 2002, the Chennai Regional Railway Museum, home to India’s richest collection of railway heritage, is one of the oldest and most prestigious railway museums in the world. Spread over about 6 acres, this wonderful museum also houses some British-era steam engines. It was inaugurated by Railway Minister Nitish Kumar on 31 March 2002 and opened to the public on 16 April 2003. Chennai Railway Museum Heritage Walk is a fitting destination as it has both historical and technical exhibits. Formerly known as the Regional Railway Museum, the museum features vintage British carriages, some of which are over a century old. This improves the visitor’s understanding of the museum’s historical and technical exhibits as well as its cultural and didactic aspects.
Chennai Rail Museum Address: New Avadi Rd, Next to ICF Furniture Dept., Lakshmipuram, Villivakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600038
Chennai Rail Museum Timings: Chennai Railway Museum is open from 10:00 A.M. until 6:00 p.m. (last admission at 5:30 p.m.). The museum is open to visitors from Tuesday to Sunday and is closed every Monday and public holidays.
Chennai Rail Museum Ticket Price: There is no entrance fee for the Railway Museum.
How to reach Chennai Rail Museum: The Regional Railway Museum, now called Chennai Railway Museum, is located in Lakshmipuram, Chennai. After booking a taxi, go to the Integral Coach Factory (ICF). When you reach the inner path, you can easily find your destination. You can also take a taxi or cab from Chennai city center to reach the museum.
Pune Rail Museum
Joshi Museum of Miniature Railways in Pune is unique. It is for people who like intricately designed model trains. This museum was first opened to the public in 1998 and soon became a part of Pune tourism due to its novelty. What was once a hobby of B.S Josh quickly became a tourist attraction with many model trains built by him. Unfortunately, Joshi passed away after the museum closed, but his family did a great job running the museum.
Pune Rail Museum Address: 17/1, B/2, Late GA Kulkarni Path, Beside, Kothrud, Pune, Maharashtra 411038
Pune Rail Museum Time Tables:
- SUNDAY 17:00 – 20:00
- MONDAY 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM
- TUESDAY 9:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M
- WEDNESDAY 9:30 AM to 5:00 P.M
- THURSDAY 9:30 A.M. to 1:00 P.M
- FRIDAY 9:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M
- SATURDAY 9.30 AM to 4.00 P.M, 5.00 P.M to 8.00 P.M
Pune Rail Museum ticket price:
- Under 3 years free
- More than 3 years 90/-Rs
Note: A minimum of 4 people are required to start the show. Reaching Pune Railway Museum: You can take a cab or taxi from Pune Junction railway station to reach the museum.
Rewari Rail Museum
Rewari Rail Heritage Museum (formerly Rewari Steam Locomotive Shed) is a railway museum in Rewari, Delhi NCR, Haryana, India. Started in 1983, it is the only remaining steam room in India. The Rewari Railway Heritage Museum houses some of India’s last remaining steam locomotives and the world’s oldest working Fairy Queen (locomotive) tourist train, built in 1885. It is located 400 m north of Rewari station entrance, 50 km from Gurugram and 79 km from Chanakyapur National Railway Museum, New Delhi.
Rewari Rail Museum Address: Railway Colony, Rewari, Haryana 123401
Rewari Rail Museum Timings: The museum is open 7 days a week from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Rewari Rail Museum Ticket Price: Entry is free for all. It can be easily covered in 2-3 hours even with small children. Photography is allowed free of charge. There is also a cafe, water and toilets.
How to reach Rewari Rail Museum: From Rewari bus station or railway station, you can take a taxi or an e-rickshaw that will take you to the museum point. So these are the best railway museums in India that you should visit once in your life.