Railway Museum - chug down memory lane

Trains have always fascinated me in my childhood. Having spent my childhood in Dubai I was not exposed to trains much. I used to stare in awe and wonder at the huge locomotive beasts. Being a girl, I was supposed to play with dolls but I liked trains more. As years passed by I outgrew this fascination and it became a normal mode of transport.

Mysore Maharani's Saloon

But a visit to Railway museum in Mysore rekindled that same sort of wonder and surprise in me when I was a child. It was an outdoor exhibit of vintage locomotives where you can actually use all levers and buttons in the engine room. For some it would be just an exhibit of old, decommissioned trains. But for me it was a sort of dream and I checked out each one of them from old steam engine to diesel engines.

Side View

The museum is right opposite Central Food Technology and research institute in Krishna Sagar road just 3 km from Mysore centre. The exhibit showcases the growth of Indian railways. Established in 1979 by the Indian Railways it has coaches dated back to 1899 used by the Maharajas, the British, Gandhiji etc. Chamundi gallery exhibits pictures and paintings about the railways and its growth. Maharani's saloon carriage kept separately in a shed is worth exploring. Used in 1899 it was equipped with kitchen, dining care unit, royal European toilet and a bedroom. I was taken aback by the detailing of the unit and the clever usage of material. I just could'nt imagine people had this sort of luxury back in those times.

Side View

Another attractive railway car worth mentioning is the Austin railway car, which was remodelled into a railway car by a railway employee. This vintage vehicle capable of seating 6 people was used for inspecting railway tracks. Children will be attracted to the battery operated toy train which is used to ride around the grounds of the museum. There are still lot of trains worth exploring which I have'nt mentioned separately.

Side View

When to Visit

The museum is open on all days from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm except on Mondays. The entrance ticket charges are as follows: Adults - Rs 15 Children - Rs 10 Toy train ride - Rs 10 Still camera - Rs 20 Video camera - Rs 30

What to do

Take the toy train ride and explore each one of the trains available on exhibit.