Howrah Railway Museum-Rich History of Locomotives By Oursamyatra

Tripoto
15th Aug 2018

Howrah Railway Museum-Rich History of Locomotives By Oursamyatra

Photo of Howrah Railway Museum-Rich History of Locomotives By Oursamyatra by Aniruddha and Debabrati
Day 1

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.

A meter gauge Steam Locomotive at Hall of Fame

Photo of Kolkata, West Bengal, India by Aniruddha and Debabrati

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. 

Miniature of Howrah station

Photo of Howrah Railway Museum-Rich History of Locomotives By Oursamyatra by Aniruddha and Debabrati

If you are a traveler then probably you can make a connection with our emotion towards the train.

Read more travel stories at Oursamyatra

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.

Old time steam engine

Photo of Howrah Railway Museum-Rich History of Locomotives By Oursamyatra by Aniruddha and Debabrati

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.

Human Models made of Iron Instruments

Photo of Howrah Railway Museum-Rich History of Locomotives By Oursamyatra by Aniruddha and Debabrati

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:

Narrow Gauge Steam Loco-This Locomotive was built up by North British Company Ltd. at Glasgow,UK in the year 1926 and got retired on 18th September 1996

Photo of Howrah Railway Museum-Rich History of Locomotives By Oursamyatra by Aniruddha and Debabrati

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.

Inside view of luxurious saloon coach

Photo of Howrah Railway Museum-Rich History of Locomotives By Oursamyatra by Aniruddha and Debabrati

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.

Different models of locomotives

Photo of Howrah Railway Museum-Rich History of Locomotives By Oursamyatra by Aniruddha and Debabrati

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.

Octagonal tower along with the iconic Howrah Bridge in the background

Photo of Howrah Railway Museum-Rich History of Locomotives By Oursamyatra by Aniruddha and Debabrati

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.

Vidyut Kiosk along with Hall of Heritage and octagonal tower

Photo of Howrah Railway Museum-Rich History of Locomotives By Oursamyatra by Aniruddha and Debabrati

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:

Hall of Heritage, resembles Howrah Station from outside.

Photo of Howrah Railway Museum-Rich History of Locomotives By Oursamyatra by Aniruddha and Debabrati

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.

Crests of different railways

Photo of Howrah Railway Museum-Rich History of Locomotives By Oursamyatra by Aniruddha and Debabrati

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.

Model of Rail Track

Photo of Howrah Railway Museum-Rich History of Locomotives By Oursamyatra by Aniruddha and Debabrati

Detail information about Eastern Railway

Photo of Howrah Railway Museum-Rich History of Locomotives By Oursamyatra by Aniruddha and Debabrati

Howrah Station Over the Years

Photo of Howrah Railway Museum-Rich History of Locomotives By Oursamyatra by Aniruddha and Debabrati

Howrah station’s Centenary

Photo of Howrah Railway Museum-Rich History of Locomotives By Oursamyatra by Aniruddha and Debabrati

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.

East Pakistan Locomotive

Photo of Howrah Railway Museum-Rich History of Locomotives By Oursamyatra by Aniruddha and Debabrati

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. 

Broadgauge Electrical Locomotive Engine No.-20202

Photo of Howrah Railway Museum-Rich History of Locomotives By Oursamyatra by Aniruddha and Debabrati

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.

Left- East Pakistan Locomotive, Right- The first electric locomotive built in India

Photo of Howrah Railway Museum-Rich History of Locomotives By Oursamyatra by Aniruddha and Debabrati

Goton Steam Engine, built by Cowans Sheldon and Co. Ltd. at Carlisle, England in 1923.

Photo of Howrah Railway Museum-Rich History of Locomotives By Oursamyatra by Aniruddha and Debabrati

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

Photo of Howrah Railway Museum-Rich History of Locomotives By Oursamyatra by Aniruddha and Debabrati

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