Looking back in our childhood memories, we can reminisce those beautiful days when we used to stand in a queue to form a train holding each other's shoulders, moving forward making the sound of running train by mouth.
Now as a travel buff, we always cherish our train journey. It always offers a unique excitement whenever we visited the station to catch the train. The crowd of busy people, some are running from one platform to another to catch the train. And others just sitting on the platform waiting for their train, the hawkers and so on.
The vibration with the starting of the rain along with the honk of the green signal gives ultimate excitement.
If you are a traveler then probably you can make a connection with our emotion towards the train.
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Indian railway serves the most spectacular and unforgettable rail journeys in the world.
The journey of Indian Railways starts back in the late 18 th century and over the time it becomes the prime option to explore India's outback, cities, coastal towns and regional areas in a budget. Indian Railway tracks, extended in every corner of the country, be it north, south, east or west.
Probably you are thinking why we are talking about all these. So without any further words, let's go straight to our today's destination, i.e. The Rail Museum.
This rail museum is one of the best rail museums in India. If you ever have a plan to visit Kolkata then keep this place in your tour itinerary.
So we made a plan to visit the rail museum. It is only 5 mins walk from Howrah Railway Station.
We booked our entry ticket and entered the museum. We were really overwhelmed seeing the beauty of the vintage rail engines and how over the time it gets modified.
The museum comprises a huge area starting from Hall of Fame, followed by a round garden encircled by the toy train track. Crossing the track is Hall of Heritage represented in the form of Howrah Station from outside.
Hall Of Fame:
On the left-hand side of the entrance is the Hall Of Fame, shaped like train car shade and guarded by a mechanical man. Stepped up 3 steps we witnessed a huge steam engine connect with a 1 st class AC coach, which has a set up of luxurious saloon coach.
Moreover, a showcased vintage coach gives you a feeling of old Hollywood movie train scenes. Though the visitors, not allowed inside the coaches but narrow elevated platforms on both sides give a chance to peep inside through the windows.
Many other small models of train engines of different eras are also displayed.
Getting out from the Hall of Fame, we headed towards the Hall of Heritage. In the middle, we saw an Octagonal tower standing on an elevated mound and four hut shaped kiosks are placed diagonally named as Virasat, Smritiyan, Vidyut, and Doorsanchaar.
The tower showcases precious information about the Eastern Railway and also about the Kolkata metro and Chittaranjan Locomotive Works.
Virasat: This kiosk holds the mannequins in different railway uniforms like station master, TTE, driver, guard and even coolie. We are pretty much familiar with these uniform and their jobs which we experienced on our train journey.
Smritiyan: The kiosk holds the memories of the long journey of Railway till date through postal stamps and also the rare documents about the commencement of trains, special dates of Rail history and etc.
Vidyut: This kiosk houses different electrifying gadgets of the rail and how over the years those gadgets get modified for better service.
Doorsanchar: The communication or signaling system, one of the imperative features to avoid any bizarre incidents. miniature of the instruments like signals, leavers used in tracks, used over the time for communicating purposes are cabinet here.
Hall of Heritage:
Leaving behind, we started walking towards the Hall of Heritage. Like we already told earlier, this hall resembles Howrah Station from outside. But once went inside we experienced much more history about the railway services, different gadgets, old pictures, vintage clocks, wooden fan, guard lamps and many more. The most valuable belonging within this hall is the crests of different railways.
The Hall of Heritage also contains a replica of railway track, along with platform, signals, station, level crossing and bridge. Just like the aerial view of rail track.
Time to enjoy in open ground:
Now before further exploration, we have a question. Did you ever witness East Pakistan Old Rail Engine? If not, then you have to visit this museum. On the right-hand side, two rail tracks stretched out featuring different vintage locomotives.
One of them is the Engine of East Pakistan. Arrested by the Indian Army during the Indo-Pak Battle in 1971 when it entered into the Indian Territory.
Moreover, the first 25000 Volt 50Hz Ac Electric Locomotive, dedicated to the Nation in Asansol Of Eastern Railway is also portrait in this museum.
Many of these engines, built in the early 1900s in different parts of the world. And later imported to India during British Era.
So before concluding, one thing which we feel, that this is one such museum which has high historic values. Howrah Railway Museum-Rich History of Locomotives
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