The Museum

The National Rail Museum, New Delhi represents the splendid more than 166 years of rich heritage of Indian Railway sprawling in over 11 acres of land. Emulating the setting of a railway yard, the extensive outdoor gallery houses a variety of steam, diesel and electric locomotives along with fascinating collection of royal saloons, wagons, carriages, armored trains, rail cars and a turntable. These original life-size exhibits have been well maintained and restored. Interactive displays and models exhibited inside the Indoor gallery displays the remarkable stories related to early modes of transportation till date and future endeavors in Indian Railways. There are also some remarkable collections of historical photographs, documents, railway artifacts, static exhibits, antiquated items and old furniture which enhance the experience of around 05 lakhs visitors every year and envisioned them how a single investment of Indian Railway helped in unification and progress of India as a nation.

Spend a day with your family & friends and enjoy joy and toy train rides, 3D virtual coach ride, Diesel and Steam Simulators, coupled with a lavish meal at recently built rail restaurant.

Shri V.V Giri, the then President of India, laid the foundation stone for the Rail Transport Museum (R.T.M) at its present site in Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, on 07th October, 1971.

The Rail Transport Museum was planned as a part of a larger complex representing the history of Railways, Roadways, Airways and Water-ways in India.

The museum was inaugurated by Shri Kamlapati Tripathi, the then hon’ble Minister of Railways on 01 February, 1977. On this auspicious occasion, speeches were delivered by Shri V.V.Giri, President of India and Shri K. Hanumanthaiya, Minister for Railways. The vote of thanks was delivered by Shri M. Srinivasan, Director- General, RDSO, Lucknow. The other distinguished guests who were present: Shri B.S.D. Baliga, Member (Staff). Shri K.S. Sundara Rajan, Financial Commissioner. N.S. Swaminathan, Member (Transportation).H.M. Chatterjee, Member (Mechanical) and Shri M.N. Bery, General Manager, Northern Railway. Later, in 1995, RTM was developed and renamed as National Rail Museum

National Rail Museum houses locomotives and coaches from the princely states across the Indian Subcontinent. There are various star exhibits like the Rangotty (Built year 1862), the Patiala State Mono Rail (Built year 1908), the John Morris Fire Engine (Built year 1914), etc. which are considered to be the rarest operational exhibits of its kind in the world. The museum undergoes the continuous activity of conservation and restoration of these exhibits. Some of these activities are undertaken by railway workshops/railway sheds/railway depots of the various zones of Indian Railways.

Collection
The Museum collection is the largest collection of Railway real life size exhibits and other rail components in the country. The Museum houses locomotives and coaches from the princely states across the Indian Subcontinent. The Patiala State Mono Rail (PSMT) and the John Morris Fire Engine are the rarest operational exhibits of its kind in the world.
PRESERVATION
The Museum houses documents, maps, drawings, books and other documentation belonging to the more than 160 years of Indian Railway.
RESTORATION
Museum houses a large collection of Steam Locomotive made of Iron and Steel and also wooden coaches collected across the country. The Museum undergoes the continuous activity of restoration of these exhibits. Some of these activities are undertaken by workshops/units of the various Zones of Indian Railways.
MODERNIZATION
Keeping in mind the changing mode of communication with the upcoming operation the Museum undergoes upgradation regularly. The Museum houses maximum number of Rail Simulator anywhere in the world. State-of-art, 3D virtual reality technology takes visitors back in time. The Indoor Gallery uses digital and mobile technologies to make the visit interactive, educational and engaging. The Museum has an array of mobile apps and websites that allows a train lover to interact with the exhibit remotely. 3D Virtual tours and indoor positioning system to help the visitors to find their way and access content selectively is on cards. The Museum intends to create a rail community allowing people to comments as well as contributed ideas for improvement Museum.

Proud Possessions-

National Rail Museum primarily focuses on preserving rail heritage of the country. It boasts of having rarest and unique exhibits in its premise. The Patiala State Mono Rail Tram way (PSMT) is perhaps the oldest mono rail concept started in 1907 and NRM is in proud possession of the only steam mono rail locomotive and coach in working condition. The oldest working steam locomotive “ Fairy Queen” is one of the exhibit and figures in Guinnes Book of world record. More than 100 years old and the only solid rubber tyre working vehicle “John Morris Fire Engine” is on display . Vintage exhibits such as Prince of Wales saloon, Mysore Maharaja Saloon, Fireless steam locomotive.