(formerly Rail Transport Museum)

(in collaboration with Harsh Vardhan)

INDOOR DISPLAY GALLERIES

The NRM's indoor display galleries effectively trace the origins of the IR from its humble beginnings,and take you into an unfogettable journey into the hoary past of our great railway system, winding up in the present, with a little peek into the future. No doubt, one leisurely stroll around the NRM indoor display galleries will prepare you more than adequately for the romance of the real-life exhibits waiting  for you out in the open. And for those who have finished their round of the outdoor exhibits first, and have then come into the buildings, the indoor galleries offer a cool retreat, to reflect on what you have just seen, and more often than not urging you to go out into the open once again, for more. 

The NRM main buildings house the indoor display galleries, where the smaller  and more valuable artefacts, photos and models of the treasure trove are displayed. Also on display in the indoor galleries are working and static models, coat of arms, builders' plates, records, photographs, charts, signals,and components of railway working and infrastructure.

Savouring the NRM's indoor galleries is like taking a walk down memory lane, through a slice of history. The buildings have recently been airconditioned, so that one might reminisce in cool comfort. Other recent additions to the indoor display area are various working models of foreign railways, a multi- media kiosk, and special sections for the handicapped, like 'Aakansha' for blind children and 'Gyandeep' for handicapped children. Soon to be added is a diorama of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway.

It is not possible to display all of the NRM's massive collection of treasures  at one go, due to space constraints.   They are circulated frequently. For similar reasons, some of the earlier large pictures and blow-ups which were initially on display in the earlier years of the NRM have been taken down and stored. They will be back after a while.

THE INDOOR AREA IS DIVIDED INTO SIX DISPLAY   GALLERIES, EACH    COVERING ONE ERA OR ASPECT OF INDIAN RAILWAY HISTORY.    

Here is a rundown about each display gallery.

CLICK ON EACH HEADING TO BE TAKEN TO A COLLECTION OF PICTURES FROM THAT PARTICULAR GALLERY.

The first display gallery narrates the story of the early days of railways in India. Various steam locomotive models also show the growth and development of this lovable mode of traction from the early midgets to the massive express and freight engines we saw till the very end of steam on the IR. Star attractions of this gallery are: 1) a large chart tracking the emergence of the various zones on the IR from a heterogenous conglomeration of private railways,and railways of the princely states, and   2) a map showing the growth of the railways in India since 1853  by means of   electric bulbs, which divide the period into blocks of ten years each.

               CLICK ON THE ABOVE TITLE TO SEE SOME PICS OF ITEMS FROM THIS GALLERY.

Indoor Gallery # 2 focuses on the evolution and development of cars and stock. Several model of freight as well as passenger cars are displayed here,along with photographs. This gallery also dwells upon the crockery and cutlery used by several railways of yesteryear as well as some steam locomotive fittings, most of which are kept in glass cases for fear of vandalism. Star attractions in this gallery are: 1) A unique collection of builders' plates ranging from as early as 1856, 2) A wooden model of a 4-wheeler bi-level (double decker) car dating from circa 1862,and probably, the most bizzare but nonetheless fascinating item, the piece de resistance: the skull of an elephant which charged a mail train in 1894 and lost. 

CLICK ON THE ABOVE TITLE TO SEE SOME PICS OF ITEMS FROM THIS GALLERY.

The star attractions on Indoor Gallery # 3 are: 1) Intricately carved Burmese furniture (comprising of a 3-piece sofa set and a writing table), made from high quality teak wood,for the agent of the the erstwhile BB & CI Railway, and 2) a working model of the Nilgiri Mountain Railway complete with a diorama of the hill which the train climbs. Also on display are various crests and coat of arms of the princely railways.

CLICK ON THE ABOVE TITLE TO SEE SOME PICS OF ITEMS FROM THIS GALLERY.

Indoor Gallery # 4 deals with the progress made  in the field of signalling and telecommunication over the years. On display are various types of telephones, signals and telecommunication equipment. Most of the smaller items have been stuffed into glass cases and are kept securely locked for fear of vandalism, but it is still possible to see some of these valuable items from a distance.

CLICK ON THE ABOVE TITLE TO SEE SOME PICS OF ITEMS FROM THIS GALLERY.

Indoor Gallery 5 deals with the giant strides taken by the IR civil engineers, in the field of construction and architecture. The star attraction of this gallery is a model of the Pamban Bridge, which once existed between Rameshwaram and Danushkodi. The gallery had several grand photos of some of the most splendid railway station buildings in India, but all these photos have been taken down for now.

CLICK ON THE ABOVE TITLE TO SEE SOME PICS OF ITEMS FROM THIS GALLERY.

The sixth and last gallery # 6 deals with the modern side of the IR. It displays several pictures and models of some of the latest technological advances and highlights some of the latest developments. Star attractions of this gallery are models of an  electrical multiple unit train, and a crane used for transshipping containers. A recent addition to this gallery is a working model of the Calcutta metro. There is a collection of tickets. The reference library, so far close to Indoor gallery # 4, has now been moved to a corner of this gallery, eating into a lot of display space.

CLICK ON THE ABOVE TITLE TO SEE SOME PICS OF ITEMS FROM THIS GALLERY.

CLICK ON ANY OF THE ABOVE HEADINGS TO BE AUTOMATICALLY TAKEN TO A COLLECTION OF PICTURES OF ITEMS FOUND IN THAT PARTICULAR GALLERY.  

INDOOR GALLERY-1

IN1.1 A prize catch of the NRM is this rare model of one of the earliest upper class cars used on the erstwhile Oudh & Rohilkhund Railway, placed at the very entrance to Indoor Gallery 1. This model was built in 1868 by the Alambagh Workshops on the O&RR. More details on the next pic. I shot this pic. in Nov.1997.

IN1.2 This is an earlier shot of the early upper class car from the O&RR, shot by me in June 1983. Kerosene lamps, WC type of toilets and leather upholstery suggest their introduction at that time, and the high quality paintwork compares very favourably with today's laminated plastics. This model was kept in Britain for over a hundred years before being brought to the NRM in 1969.

IN1.3 Another prize catch of the NRM is this station clock from Miraj Jn. The grandfather clock casing is a later addition, for display purposes.

IN1.4 In the first gallery of the NRM is this model on an 'F' class 2' 6" ng steam locomotive. These engines were used on the Kurduwadi-Latur/Miraj line of the Barsi Light Railway. (later under CR).  Some were moved to the Achalpur-Yeotmal section as well. One full sized 'F' is preserved outside Poona (Pune) station, within the gates of the Indian Railways Institute of Civil Engineering.

IN1.5 This map of India (with inaccurate external boundaries) attempts to trace the development of Railways in India over the years. The light bulbs divide the whole country into ten-year time capsules.

IN1.6 A model of a large bg suburban tank locomotive, class WT in the first gallery. Note that the model is fitted with smoke deflectors. None of the engines in service in India had them actually. The EG/1 (WCM/1) electric engine model in the background has now been moved to the last indoor gallery # 6.

IN1.7 Here is a model of a train ferry 'KHARAGPUR", used on the South Eastern Railway. (pic. scanned from the book 'Blue Chip Railway', published by the NRM.)

IN1.8 One of the photographs displayed in Indoor Gallery # 1 is this one, showing the Frontier Mail leaving Colaba station on its maiden run on Sept. 1, 1928. The train will run all the way to Amritsar. Colaba station is no longer in existance: the train now departs from Bombay Central, and has been re-named as Golden Temple Mail.

IN1.9 A brilliant model of a WP express locomotive in Indoor Gallery # 1. A full sized WP is also preserved at the NRM. Visit the 'Hyperlinked Master List of Outdoor Exhibits' page and click on the WP/P link therein to be taken directly to that specific exhibit.

IN1.10 More vintage locomotive models displayed in Indoor Gallery # 1. Details not noted.

IN1.11 A model of the unique steam monorail from Patiala. One full sized monorail locomotive with car is also preserved at the NRM. Visit the 'Hyperlinked Master List of Outdoor Exhibits' page and click on the Monorail  link therein to be taken directly to that specific exhibit. (pic. scanned from a postcard sold at  the NRM.)

IN1.12 This large model of Stephenson's legendary 'Rocket' locomotive also graces the very entrance to Indoor Gallery # 1. (pic. scanned the NRM guide of 1992.)

INDOOR GALLERY-2

IN2.1 Models of some of IR's newest developments: BOY class low sided open cars for conveyance of heavy ores. Several of these cars are air-braked and are capable of over 100 kmph.

IN2.2 Back into history: in the second gallery sits the skull of an elephant with the following caption: (Quote) RUN INTO BY THE UP MAIL OF SEPT. 28, 1894 AT ABOUT HALF PAST NINE IN THE NIGHT. THE ACCIDENT OCCURED IN THE SARANDA   JUNGLE NEAR GOILKERA AT A DISTANCE OF 220 MILES FROM CALCUTTA. AS A RESULT OF THE COLLISION, THE ENGINE AND SEVEN VEHICLES WERE DERAILED,WHILST THE ELEPHANT, WHICH WAS APPARENTLY TRYING TO CROSS THE LINE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY FOUND DEAD AND CONSIDERABLY MUTILIATED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE BANKS WHICH IS 40 FT. HIGH AT THIS POINT. ONE OF THE TUSKS OF THE ELEPHANT HAS BEEN PRESERVED AT THE BOARD OFFICS IN LONDON WHLST THE OTHER BECAME THE PROPERTY OF THE ENGINE DRIVER MR. JAMES BELL. (Unquote)

IN2.3 In the second gallery is also this stainless steel model of a modern 4-wheeler fully covered box car with CBC coupler. The IR is now rapidly doing away with 4-wheeled stock due to the fact that they limit speed,and tend to topple on curves at speed.

IN2.4 The Kharagpur Works of the BNR built two beautiful models of upper class car # 1105, for the Wembley Exhibition of 1923. The models were brought back to the NRM after nearly sixty years in England,and are now displayed in the second gallery. Each model is 6 ft. long. One car shows the outside view while the other shows details of the car insides. (pic. scanned from the book 'Blue Chip Railway', published by the NRM.)

IN2.5 In keeping with IR's current policy of dispensing with 4-wheeler freight cars, tank cars too are nowadays bogie stock. This is a model of one of the last of the modern 4-wheeler tank cars, class TPGLR, used for conveying LPG. (Liquefied Petroleum Gas).

IN2.6 A modern General second class car on the IR. The car offers sitting-only accommodation, and is a model of a design built by the public sector Bharat Earth Movers Ltd. (BEML). The bogie design was typical of BEML-built cars.

IN2.7 A fascinating collection of builders' plated dating from 1856 is one of the star attractions of the second indoor gallery.

IN2.8 One of the fast disappearing restaurant cars of the IR. Once the in-thing on the most prestigious expresses, this shadow of the Raj has all but disappeared. Restaurant cars were open to first class passengers only. The birth of a classless society plus more catering demands have meant that pantry cars have now taken their place. Meals are cooked in the pantry and served to all passengers at their   seats, irrespective of class.

IN2.9 Another of the most valuable of the NRM exhibits is this brilliant model of a wooden-bodied 4-wheeler bi-level (double decker) passenger car, used on the erstwhile EIR in 1862. Bi-levels were revived in 1978 on the IR, after a long gap of 116 years, and although some of those cars are still in service, they are not very popular in terms of comfort, and have therefore not been repeated.

INDOOR GALLERY-3

IN3.1 The star attraction in Indoor Gallery # 3 is this set of furniture made of the finest Burmese teak wood, for the agent of the erstwhile BB & CI Railway. The bathroom mirrors on the wall are a more recent addition.

IN3.2 'Jai Jungledhar Baadshah' insignia of the erstwhile Bikaner Maharaja. This crest in now kept at a great height, in a glass case, and I was lucky to be able to photograph it in June 1983.

IN3.3 Another star attraction in the third gallery is this working model of the Nilgiri Railway, complete with diorama of the hill. This is a depiction of Kallar station, from whence the rack section really starts. The set comprises of one 'X'  class locomotive (seen here) and two cars. A full sized 'X' is also preserved at the NRM. Visit the 'Hyperlinked Master List of Outdoor Exhibits' page and click on the X  link therein to be taken directly to that specific exhibit.

TO INDOOR GALLERIES 4, 5 & 6 >>>