| |
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. |
All photographs have been taken by me unless otherwise
stated.
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. |
HERE
IS A SELECTION OF ITEMS YOU WILL FIND IN INDOOR GALLERY-1 |
CLICK
ON EACH THUMBNAIL TO ENLARGE THE RESPECTIVE IMAGE. THEREAFTER HIT THE 'BACK'
BUTTON ON YOUR BROWSER TO RETURN TO THIS PAGE. |
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. |
![bwearlyorr.jpg (46626 bytes)](bwearlyorr_small.jpg)
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. |
![mirajclock.jpg (61141 bytes)](mirajclock_small.jpg)
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. |
![f.jpg (58135 bytes)](f_small.jpg)
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. |
![zonalmap.jpg (65213 bytes)](zonalmap_small.jpg)
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. |
![wtmodel.jpg (51203 bytes)](wtmodel_small.jpg)
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. |
![kgp.jpg (66036 bytes)](kgp_small.jpg)
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.) |
![frontierpic.jpg (47993 bytes)](frontierpic_small.jpg)
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. |
![wp.jpg (58408 bytes)](wp_small.jpg)
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. |
![steammodel.jpg (62701 bytes)](steammodel_small.jpg)
IN1.10 More vintage locomotive
models displayed in Indoor Gallery # 1. Details not noted. |
![monorailmodel.jpg (68905 bytes)](monorailmodel_small.jpg)
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.) |
![rocket.jpg (76950 bytes)](rocket_small.jpg)
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.) |
BACK TO THE TOP
HERE
IS A SELECTION OF ITEMS YOU WILL FIND IN INDOOR GALLERY-2 |
CLICK
ON EACH THUMBNAIL TO ENLARGE THE RESPECTIVE IMAGE. THEREAFTER HIT THE 'BACK'
BUTTON ON YOUR BROWSER TO RETURN TO THIS PAGE. |
![boymodel.jpg (55328 bytes)](boymodel_small.jpg)
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. |
![skull.jpg (61031 bytes)](skull_small.jpg)
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) |
![crt.jpg (49310 bytes)](crt_small.jpg)
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. |
![uppercars.jpg (58292 bytes)](uppercars_small.jpg)
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.) |
![tpglr.jpg (59078 bytes)](tpglr_small.jpg)
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). |
![secondcar.jpg (52884 bytes)](secondcar_small.jpg)
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. |
![bplates.jpg (83630 bytes)](bplates_small.jpg)
IN2.7 A fascinating collection of
builders' plated dating from 1856 is one of the star attractions of the second indoor
gallery. |
![restcar.jpg (56313 bytes)](restcar_small.jpg)
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. |
![earlyddcar.jpg (58031 bytes)](earlyddcar_small.jpg)
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. |
BACK TO THE TOP
HERE
IS A SELECTION OF ITEMS YOU WILL FIND IN INDOOR GALLERY-1 |
CLICK
ON EACH THUMBNAIL TO ENLARGE THE RESPECTIVE IMAGE. THEREAFTER HIT THE 'BACK'
BUTTON ON YOUR BROWSER TO RETURN TO THIS PAGE. |
![furniture.jpg (63825 bytes)](furniture_small.jpg)
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. |
![jaijungledhar.jpg (52213 bytes)](jaijungledhar_small.jpg)
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. |
![nmrdiorama.jpg (71039 bytes)](nmrdiorama_small.jpg)
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. |
BACK TO THE TOP
|