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Rail Museum

RAILWAY MUSEUM AT HUBBALLI INAUGURATED

Shri Pralhad Joshi, Hon’ble Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Coal & Mines and Shri Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Union Minister of Railways dedicated the Railway Museum at Hubballi to the nation through video link today (09.08.2025). Shri Suresh Angadi, Hon’ble Union Minister of State of Railways presided over the function. Shri Abbayya Prasad, Hon’ble MLA of Hubballi-Dharwad East; Shri Arvind Bellad, Hon’ble MLA of Hubballi-Dharwad West; Shri Pradeep Shettar, Hon’ble MLC and other dignitaries graced the occasion.

Welcoming the dignitaries, Shri Ajay Kumar Singh, GM/ SWR said that the railway museum at Hubballi is the first of its kind in North Karnataka and second in SWR after the Rail Museum at Mysuru. This Museum will enthrall visitors narrating story of Railways in India in past 167 years. The Museum is spread over an area of 4,150 sqm. The museum has fascinating collection of Rolling stock, wide range of artefacts beautified by aesthetic lighting.

He said that since Shri Piyush Goyal ji has taken over as Minister of Railways, the functioning of railways has transformed and revolutionized. He thanked Shri Pralhad Joshi for extending constant support for railways by giving valuable inputs. He said that after Shri Suresh Angadi has taken over as Hon’ble MoSR, SWR has been able to complete pending infrastructure projects by regular coordination with State Government.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Piyush Goyal said, “Railways has an emotional connect with all of us. Railways has played an important role in our lives and has been witness to our personal journeys of life in different phases. He referred to Mahatma Gandhi and said that Gandhi Ji also preferred to understand India through trains. Railways have itself gone through great transformations. Story of evolution of Railways from steam era to modern bullet trains era is truly remarkable. Museum is monument of tribute to that extraordinary change. Moving into a post Covid era would also see many changes. The museum will help in sensitizing society about shared history and culture. It will tell us about our roots and our foundations. We must preserve memories and legacy. We are now making Railways fully electrified and 100 % green. It will be world class passenger and freight services organization. Railways will continue to change and transform. Legacy will continue to be great and would require to be constantly preserved.

Shri Suresh Angadi said that it’s a great day for Hubballi and north Karnataka. After Mysuru, a second museum is set up here. He appreciated the work by railways in transporting migrant workers ensuring safety and also providing food.

Shri Pralhad Joshi appreciated SWR for running 266 Shramik trains carrying 3.90 lakh passengers to their native places. He also appreciated SWR for converting 320 coaches as isolation coaches. He asked to complete the Hubballi-Belagavi-Bengaluru double line and electrification work expeditiously and speed up the trains to reach Bengaluru in 6 hrs.

Later Shri Pralhad Joshi Hon’ble Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Coal & Mines and Shri Jagadish Shettar, Minister of Large and Medium Scale Industries, Public enterprises and District Incharge Minister of Dharwad visited Railway Museum and appreciated the work of SWR. Shri P.K.Mishra, AGM, SWR; Shri Ravikumar, PCME; Ms. Roopa Srinivasan, PFA; Shri Arvind Malkhede, DRM, Hubballi and others were present.

The Highlights of the Museum:

  • Galaxy of Rolling Stock
  • Malaprabha and Ghataprabha cottages
  • Theatre Coach
  • Suruchi Cafeteria
  • Toy Train
  • Memorabilia Shop
  • Ticket Printing Machine
  • Model train run
  • Children’s Activity Room

A grand arch at the entrance welcomes one to the bygone era. Embellished with emblems of forerunners of South Western Railway, that served this region which is Southern Mahratta Railway, Mysore and Southern Mahratta Railway etc.,The welcome arch beckons visitors to explore the world of Railways.

Outdoor landscape: Two narrow gauge locomotives (train Engines) are the prime attraction in the Museum. All the exhibits that run on track and are related to track such as Rolling Stock (engines), Coach, wagon, tanker, Permanent way material like Rails, sleepers, Level crossing gate, signals etc are provided in the galleries setup amidst soothing greenery of the Museum.

A narrow gauge coach which depicts “Unity in diversity with life size statues of passengers from various parts of the country is an added attraction for the visitors.

Two beautiful cottages constructed in 1907, are converted to two parts of museum named as Malaprabha and Ghataprabha after the two rivers of the region.

Ghataprabha cottage: The cottages define quintessential old age charm, house collection of indoor artifacts. Ghataprabha cottage features a model room with running train, signal instruments etc. History of Locomotives, wagons, coaches is presented along with antique Books and Plants. Glimpses of working of Railway in Medical and security fronts can be seen. A colourful children activity room with fun facts is also part of Ghatprabha. A memorabilia counter where souvenirs can be bought and a history corner where history of Railway companies is covered in the cottage.

Malaprabha Cottage: A series of beautiful charcoal sketches constitute art gallery at the entrance of Malaprabha. Booking office with ticket counter, printed tickets, iron cash chests reflect reminiscences of the ticketing of a few decades back. A station master room is simulated with Panel, all the apparatus, registers, furniture and even life size statues of station master and Points man. The adjacent room is designed on theme of waiting room with antique furniture. A parcel office setup is also recreated with 150 year old parcel weighing machine.

The evolution and progress on of Permanent way, rails, sleepers, track fitting, telecommunication, electrical.

The regular working Hours for the Museum from 11th Aug 2020 are as below:

  • Normal Days (Tuesday to Friday) 12 noon to 7 pm
  • Weekends & Public Holidays 12 noon to 8 pm
  • Every Monday is a Holiday

Entry Ticket Charges

  • Adult (above 12 Years) INR 20/-
  • Child (5-12 Years) INR 10/-
  • Less than 5 Years Free

Theatre Coach

Show timings (every one hour starting from 12.00 pm 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm, 4 pm, 5 pm)

In Group of 10 members each ticket INR 10/-

Show Time 15 mts

Toy Train Ticket (one trip)

Each Ticket INR 10/-

* Three rounds of to and fro constitutes one trip.

A Rail Museum is a specialized museum dedicated to the history, development, and heritage of rail transport. These museums showcase the evolution of railways, the technological advancements, and the cultural significance of trains over the years. They also often highlight the role of Indian Railways in the nation’s development, especially as one of the largest railway networks in the world.

Key Features of Rail Museums in India:

  1. Historical Exhibits:
    • Vintage Locomotives: Most rail museums house old locomotives, coaches, and engines that are no longer in service. Some museums feature steam engines, which were used in the early days of Indian Railways.
    • Rare Artifacts: These may include railway maps, old tickets, uniforms, tools, and other memorabilia that reflect the history and culture of rail travel in India.
    • Model Railways: Miniature models of various trains, stations, and rail networks are commonly displayed in these museums. They help in understanding the development of the railway system.
  2. Technological Evolution:
    • Exhibits demonstrating the advancements in railway technology, from the first trains to modern high-speed trains, electric locomotives, and smart train systems.
    • Interactive displays showcasing the working principles of locomotives, rail track construction, signal systems, and more.
  3. Cultural and Social Impact:
    • Indian Railways has played a significant role in connecting remote parts of the country, and this cultural and social impact is showcased in the museum through photographs, stories, and exhibits.
    • Special exhibitions focusing on railway workers, including station masters, engineers, and conductors, and their contribution to the growth of the network.
  4. Train Rides:
    • Some rail museums have a heritage train ride on their premises, where visitors can take a ride on a vintage train to experience what it was like to travel in the early days of Indian Railways.
    • Toy train rides are also common in certain locations, especially for children.
  5. Preservation of Heritage:
    • Many rail museums preserve historic stations, railway artifacts, and even old railway bungalows and workshops. This helps in maintaining the legacy of Indian Railways, both for future generations and for historical research.

Popular Rail Museums in India:

1. National Rail Museum, New Delhi:

  • The National Rail Museum in New Delhi is the most famous and largest rail museum in India. It covers an extensive collection of rail heritage, including rare steam engines, railway signals, and baggage carts.
  • Key attractions:
    • First Indian Locomotive – “EIR 21” (the first steam locomotive built in India in 1855).
    • The Maharaja’s Coach – A luxurious coach used by the royal family.
    • Toy Train Ride: A miniature railway that runs around the museum grounds.
  • Interactive Exhibits: There are interactive exhibits showcasing the evolution of railway technology, train engines, and the development of the Indian Railways.

2. Indian Railway Heritage Museum, Howrah:

  • Located in Howrah, near Kolkata, this museum highlights the early days of Eastern Railways and its role in connecting Kolkata with the rest of the country.
  • Key attractions include old signal systems, historic locomotives, and photographs of the early development of the railway network in eastern India.

3. Chennai Rail Museum, Chennai:

  • This museum in Chennai showcases the history of Southern Railways. The museum houses models of trains, vintage coaches, and a collection of railway artifacts and railway uniforms.
  • Visitors can also view the first train model that ran between Chennai and Arcot in the 1850s.

4. Nizam’s Rail Museum, Hyderabad:

  • The Nizam’s Rail Museum in Hyderabad focuses on the rail heritage of the erstwhile Nizam state. It features a palace-on-wheels model, and some luxury coaches from the era of the Nizam dynasty.
  • A highlight is the Nizam’s Saloon (a royal coach) and several other vintage carriages.

5. Mysore Rail Museum, Mysore:

  • Located in the city of Mysore, this museum showcases the history of railways in southern India. One of its prime attractions is the royal saloon of the Maharaja of Mysore.
  • There is a miniature train ride for children, and visitors can see locomotive models, old tickets, and signaling equipment.

6. Patiala Rail Coach Factory Museum, Patiala:

  • The Patiala Rail Coach Factory Museum is dedicated to the manufacturing side of Indian Railways, focusing on the production of rail coaches, particularly those built at the Patiala Rail Coach Factory.
  • The museum also covers the history of rail coach construction in India and houses several vintage coaches.

7. Goa Rail Museum, Margao:

  • Located in Margao, Goa, this museum is dedicated to the history of Goa’s rail network, its development, and its role in tourism and the local economy.
  • It features a display of old railway artifacts, photographs, and models that document the role of railways in Goa.

Rail Museums Internationally:

Apart from India, there are rail museums worldwide that hold significant collections, such as:

  • The National Railway Museum, UK (York)
  • Deutsche Bahn Museum, Germany (Nuremberg)
  • Smithsonian National Museum of American History, USA (Washington, D.C.)

Conclusion:

Rail museums are not only educational and culturally enriching, but they also provide an important connection to the past for modern-day travelers, showcasing the incredible journey of rail transport and its profound impact on society.

Would you like more details about the specific exhibits or events at a particular rail museum? Or perhaps information about museum timings and entry fees?

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