National Rail Museum Delhi: History, Exhibits, Timings & Tickets 2023 | Trip Guru Go

10 min readOct 21, 2023

A lot of people think that the National RailMuseum in Delhi, India, is a cool spot to learn about the history of trains in India. It has a lot of useful information and displays. That shows how Indian railways have changed over time. The national rail museum has a great collection and fun things for people to do. This piece will talk about its history.

About the National Rail Museum:

You can learn a lot about Indian trains at the National Rail Museum in New Delhi. It’s in Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, and it looks like a big playground for trains. It’s been a long time since the museum first opened on February 1, 1977.

Take a look at this picture: the museum is as big as eleven football fields! The building inside is really cool. It has eight sides and six rooms where they show off all sorts of train stuff. That’s not all, though. It looks like you’re outside in a real train yard, like in the movies.

Except for Mondays and holidays, the museum is open every day except those days.

History of the National Rail Museum:

The idea for this museum began a long time ago, in 1962. “Hey, let’s make a museum about trains!” said Michael Graham Satow, a train fan. They chose to build it in 1970, and on October 7, 1971, V. V. Giri, who was the leader of India, laid the first stone.

In the past, it used to be called the Rail Transport Museum. That dream of making a museum about India’s roads, trains, planes, and even boats was never told. That’s when it became the National Rail Museum.

About the Inauguration:

The museum opened to the public on February 1, 1977.
Shri Kamlapati Tripathi, the then Minister of Railways, did the honors.
Shri K. Hanumanthaiya, who is the Minister of Railways, and Shri V.V. Giri, who is the President of India, both said important things.
Shri M. Srinivasan, the Director General of RDSO in Lucknow, gave a speech of thanks.
Other important people who came were Shri K.S. Sundara Rajan, N.S. Swaminathan, H.M. Chatterjee, and Shri M.N. Bery, who is the general manager of the Northern Railway.

National Rail Museum Exhibits:

The museum is like a treasure chest for old trains and carriages from different parts of India.
Some of the star attractions include the Rangotty from 1862, the Patiala State MonoRail from 1908, and the John Morris Fire Engine from 1914.
These exhibits are super rare and hardly seen anywhere else in the world.
The museum works hard to keep these old trains and cars in good shape. They are always fixing and restoring them.
Different railway workshops, sheds, and depots from all over India help with this.

The museum has amazing old trains and coaches from all over India. It opened in 1977 and is like stepping back in time. With help from train stations all over India, they take good care of these old gems. It’s a dream for train fans!

National Rail Museum: Collections, Preservation, Restoration, and Modernization

1. Collection:

The National Rail Museum has the largest collection of life-sized railway artifacts in India. It has engines and wagons from all over the Indian Subcontinent’s royal states. This is where you can find rare gems like the John Morris Fire Engine and the Patiala State MonoRail (PSMT).

2. Preservation:

The museum’s collection of papers, maps, pictures, books, and records protects over 160 years of Indian train history. It does this by keeping the rich tradition of Indian Railways alive.

3. Restoration:

The Railway Museum not only preserves iron and steel steam engines and wooden coaches from all over India. But also repairs them. These old pieces remain in good condition due to close cooperation with train companies and units of various Indian Railways zones.

4. Modernization:

There are many current train models and cutting-edge 3D virtual reality technology at the National Rail Museum. In turn, this makes the experience fun and useful. You can connect with shows from afar using apps and websites. Technology like computers and phones also makes traveling better. There are plans for 3D video trips and an indoor location system to make things easier for visitors. The goal is to build a community of rail fans who can work together to make changes all the time.

national rail museum Latest Video

Facilities at the Museum:

There is some cool stuff in the museum as well. 200 people can watch the show in a big room with a TV. And there’s a cool spot where important talks can happen in 2025. The best part is that there is a restaurant called “The Rails.” When all the different trains came together to make Indian Railways, it was like going back in time. There’s even a little train that brings you food. That’s really cool.

Also, don’t forget to stop by the gift shop. You can buy small train sets, books, clothes, and other fun things to remember your trip. The National Rail Museum in New Delhi is a great place to spend a day with family and friends. There are trains, tasty food, and cool train rides on display. It’s a great trip.

Inside National Rail Museum Delhi:

Indoor Gallery: In the gallery inside, you can go back 160 years. Which is full of historical items such as signaling gear, outfits from the Indian Railways, and old furniture. Look at very accurate models of coaches and engines.
Outdoor Gallery: Beyond the walls, it seems like a busy train yard. They have many different types of full-size engines, coaches, and unique shows, such as diesel, electric, and steam engines.
Royal Collection: All three of them drive very nice cars. The Prince of Wales, the Maharaja of Mysore, and the Maharaja of Indore also know how much money they have.
Rides and Simulators: Enjoy rides on the Toy Train and Joy Train, and experience a virtual 3D adventure in the museum’s indoor section.
The Rail Restaurant: Dine in a unique setting where a moving train serves a variety of delicious food.
Souvenir Shop: Take home memories with train models, postcards, apparel, books, and more from the museum’s shop.
Miniature India: Discover a detailed model of India’s landmarks and development on the first floor.
Photo Opportunities: In a great place for shooting, you can capture moments with rare engines and old trains.
Auditorium: The museum’s theater has room for 200 people, so it can be used for shows and events.

Unique Exhibits at the National Rail Museum:

Patiala State Monorail Trainways: Built in 1907, this unique train had just one rail and big iron wheels to stay upright. It linked Bassi and Sirhind-Fatehgarh, 9.7 km apart. Restored by Mike Satow, one engine now runs.
Fairy Queen: It’s cool that this old steam engine is the world’s oldest working steam train that still makes trips a few times a year. Think about going on a piece of history!
John Morris Belsize Fire Engine: Made by experts in 1914, this fire truck from John Morris and Sons in Salford, Greater Manchester, is one of the few working ones left in the world. The Delhi version still has solid rubber tires.
Electric locomotive 4502 Sir Leslie Wilson: This 1928 electric train, known as “khakis,” was a pioneer in its time. It navigated mountainous terrain and served Mumbai until 1994.
Electric locomotive 4006 Sir Roger Lumley: The 1930s Deccan Queen’s electric engine had unique wheels. A model of it is at the Nehru Science Center in Mumbai.
Fireless steam locomotive: This train doesn’t need fire to run quite cool, right.
Steam locomotive A885 HASANG: One of many steam engines that are being shown
Steam locomotive X37385: This one was used for trains heading to Ooty.
Betty Tramways (Fowler Diesel): As RajkotBeti Tramways’ property, this cool engine is used to run in Rajkot.
Saloon of The Prince of Wales: This fancy car was made for the Prince of Wales, who later became King Edward VII, during his visit to India.
Saloon of the Maharaja of Indore: This was the special car of the Maharaja of Indore.
Saloon of The Maharaja of Mysore: Another royal carriage, this time for the Maharaja of Mysore, lavishly crafted with teak, gold, ivory, and exquisite materials.
Crane tank: This one’s like a super strong truck that can lift really heavy things. It’s a handy machine to have around at a train yard.

Interactive Displays and Exhibits

Working Models: The museum also features working models of railway systems, demonstrating how trains operate. It’s an excellent educational opportunity for visitors of all ages.
Simulators: People who want to drive a train but have never done it before. For them, there are models in the museum that help you feel that way.

Outdoor Exhibits and Garden

The museum has many different outdoor exhibitions. Such as warning lights, train tracks, and various types of railway equipment. There is a lovely park with nice landscaping that makes for a nice walk and adds to the museum’s charm.

national rail museum Photos & Images

Library and Resource Center

People who want to learn more about Indian Railways’ past. The National Railway Museum has a library and information desk for them. For students and history buffs, it’s a great resource.

Activities and Events

Workshops: A lot of the time, the museum has classes where people can learn about different parts of train history and science. These classes are fun and useful at the same time.
Special Exhibitions: Keep an eye out for special shows about Indian Railways that happen from time to time. These exhibits usually have unique items and themes.
Fun Events: The museum has fun events like historical walks, quiz contests, and more every once in a while. These events are great for families and friendship groups.

A Glimpse into the Future of Indian Railways

The National Railway Museum not only talks about the past. Rather, it also talks about the future of Indian railways. The museum displays new technologies and big plans. Which is making India’s train travel more exciting in the future.

National Rail Museum Ticket Prices: Adults and Children

National rail museum Ticket prices vary for different age groups and categories. There are discounts for students, older citizens, and children. It’s advisable to check the official website for the most up-to-date pricing.

Certainly, here’s the pricing information presented in two tables:

Table 1: Adult Ticket Prices

Table 2: Child Ticket Prices (03–12 years)

Terms & Conditions:

Fares are per person per ride.
Child refers to kids aged 03 to 12 years.
Children under 03 years ride free (except for institution/group bookings).
Weekday” means Tuesday to Friday, excluding Gazetted Holidays.
Weekend” includes Saturday, Sunday, and Gazetted Holidays.
Museum hours are 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with last entries at 4:30 PM.
PSMT trains run on Wednesdays and Sundays only.
Schools and institutions booking over 30 tickets together get a 50% discount on CHILD ENTRY TICKETS ONLY, excluding weekends and Government holidays.

how to book tickets for national rail museum delhi online?

Check out the National Rail Museum Delhi Online Ticket Booking to make your visit easier. Go to their website, pick the date you want, and buy your tickets online for a smooth experience.

national rail museum timings:

You should find out the National Railway Museum timings before you plan your trip. To find out the most up-to-date plan, look at the following time table:

national rail museum closed days

National Rail Museum Delhi Address & Contact Information

To get in touch with the National Railway Museum, Delhi, use the information below. You can call the provided number for trip details:

How to reach National Rail Museum delhi?

In Delhi, it’s easy to get to the National Rail Museum, and there are several ways to get there:

By Metro: The nearest metro station to the national rail museum is the ‘Sir M. Vishweshwaraiah Moti Bagh metro station’ on the Pink Line. From there, you can take a short taxi or auto-rickshaw ride to reach the museum.
By Bus: Delhi has an extensive bus network. You can check for buses that pass through the ‘Chanakyapuri’ area, which is where the museum is located.
By Taxi or Auto-Rickshaw: You can hire a taxi or an auto-rickshaw to take you directly to the museum. Simply provide them with the museum’s address: Chandra Gupta Marg, Chanakyapuri, Beside Bhutan Embassy, New Delhi, 110021.
By Car: If you’re driving, you can use a GPS or navigation app to find the museum. Parking facilities are available at the museum.
By Train: If you’re arriving by train, you can reach the museum by taxi or auto-rickshaw from the nearest railway station.

It is easy for people to get to the National Rail Museum because it is in a good spot and is related to other places.

Essential Tips Before Visiting the National Rail Museum in Delhi

It’s important to plan your trip to the National Rail Museum in Delhi so that you have a great time. Follow these suggestions:

The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday.
Bring a good camera or camera phone because there are many great photo spots.
If you’re not dining at the Rail restaurant, there are plenty of food options nearby.
The museum is well-maintained and packed with exhibits, both indoors and outdoors.
You can buy tickets for the toy train, joy train, and a diesel engine simulator.
You can explore the museum in about 3 hours.

Nearby Attractions of National Rail Museum Delhi:

Conclusion

Going to the National Rail Museum in Delhi is more than a trip through time. It’s a unique experience that teaches you a lot about Indian Railways’ past and future. If you are interested in trains, history, or technology, you have to go to this museum.

FAQs

Originally published at https://www.tripgurugo.com on October 21, 2023.