As a kid growing up in 80s & 90s era India, my summer holiday memories are filled with train travels. Getting on to the station, boarding the train, the seemingly endless but enjoyable train journey to the destinations, the interesting stations which the train stopped in between and finally reaching our destination. In fact, one of the main charms of the holidays was the train journey itself. Now of course there is cheap and fast Air Travel, but it can never replace or equal those wonderful memories of trains and the train journeys that I used to take as a kid.
The National Rail Museum in Delhi is one place I have passed by many times and it always stirred up childhood train travel memories. I used to make a silent promise every time I passed by the museum, that I must visit and one bright sunny spring Sunday, I finally visited this wonderful museum. It was 2 hours full of nostalgia, remembering some wonderful train travels and learning about some very interesting rail heritage of India.
The Rail Museum is located in south Delhi and is spread over 10 acres of landscaped outdoors; it has been divided into a station, train yard (including a turn table) and number of tracks on which different heritage Rail engines, wagons, coaches, etc. lie stationed. There is audio guide available at the rail museum which tells about the different exhibits in a fun way.
Just as I entered, I heard loud whistles of a train, it turned out to be Patiala Monorail State Tramways, which is the first train system running on a single track (started in 1907 and running till 1927). It was a feisty old thing, still whistling loudly and spewing white smoke.
Then we came to a number of exhibits from different eras and it was interesting to learn about the evolution of rail engines. The exhibits were kept in good condition and I went trigger happy with my camera clicking pics.
I spotted the smallest steam engine used on narrow gauge tracks, it was a cutie!!
It was a lovely sunny day and many visitors came with their kids and were clicking photographs with the train exhibits. I was clicking them doing their clicking 🙂
One of the grand exhibits was Shere-e-Punjab (Tiger of Punjab), which was running steam engine preserved in excellent condition. I simply loved this one!!
We did not realize it was almost 2 hours strolling and clicking photographs in the outdoors. Finally, we reached the end of the outdoor exhibit area, which was a small scale railway platform. there is a small toy train which runs all through the outdoor exhibit area, starting from this platform. I did not let go of the opportunity to be a kid again and took the joy ride 🙂
The National Rail Museum is a fantastic effort by Indian Railways to preserve and promote the rich Indian Rail Heritage. It is a fun place for both adults and children. I would recommend it as a must visit in Delhi.
You can see more images of the Railway Museum trip on My FACEBOOK PAGE.
Your post made me take a vow to visit it next time whenever I have some work in Delhi 🙂
You got me seriously nostalgic, train travel are some of my best childhood memories as well.
Thanks for the wonderful virtual tour!
Puja
Never been here! There's a rail museum in Chennai too which I'm planning to go since years! I should seriously fix a date to visit!!!
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It looks like a beautiful place. And it never hurts to learn something new 🙂
Mili from call me, Maeby
Luved you blog and the colorful trains 🙂
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Luved all the train pics 🙂
http://mycolorpalettemyway.blogspot.com/
A great post,Sush..I've added the Rail Museum to my must-visit places for when I visit Delhi next.What a grand place to see.:)
This feels like a great museum to visi, but maybe after the scorching heat subsides. But well yes, train journeys are always nostalgic. You put up a good post !!
Much Love
The Heiress Blog
I have never gone there but after seeing all these pictures I feel I should visit it sometime.
New post up
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Interesting post brought alive with good pictures.
Awww..This post totally rewind the fond memories 🙂
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When I was child many locomotive was incumbent. We used to call them D51(degoichi)or noble lady,etc and took photos.
Your locomotives are colorful!
I like the last one.
Have a nice day!
Indeed fond memories – its been a while since I've been there!
http://www.anucreations.blogspot.in
Nice post.
We had visited the Rail Museum in the late 80's and your post brought back the memory.
What lovely shots of your good memories.
interesting post and images. Brings back many of my own lovely childhood memories of rail travel. Long journeys were quite a treat. We made friends with co-passengrs while enjoying the panorama of India unfold through the windows.
Nice pictures . I should learn to travel more on train .
Wow!! My family are really train enthusiasts and loved looking at your article. What a lovely place to visit.
Definitely a place where kids will enjoy and learn so much!
The Tiger of Punjab is a marvelous old steam train SS, beautifully looked after I'm guessing. I haven't done any long distance train travel but you make it sound very enticing, I may have to make some queries 🙂
So cool the old trains – would like to take a ride! Thanks for visitinfollower now!
classic beauties 🙂
This should be fun. Nice post.
http://www.rajniranjandas.blogspot.in
Great pictures…Makes me miss my childhood summer vacations 😀
I LOVE your kurtis in the last post…fabindia and anokhi are my favourite places to play 😀
Thank you so much for your comment on my blog x
Looks like Chhavi will love this! We have never been there.
बहुत अच्छी जगह है जहाँ रेलवे इतिहास के बारें जानकारी मिलती है।
This looks like an interesting place to visit. I never rode on a train as a child, but my husband has fond memories of rail travel.
Lovely images. Good to see it is well maintained