Expansive, efficient, and well-connected!
Three exact reasons why the Indian railway network stands out.
Backed by state-of-the-art engineering, resilient operations, and affordability, the Indian railways have always been at the center of global appreciation.
As the fourth largest network in the world, it serves as an epitome of infrastructural excellence and has a rich heritage, adding to the cultural value of the nation.
With so much under its hood—and so many stories to tell—having its own museum is only logical.
After the National Science Museum in Delhi, it is also located in the heart of India’s bustling capital, the Rail Museum Delhi is a treasure trove of everything related to trains and rails. It is one of the historical places in India that you will find intriguing. As soon as you step inside, you’ll be transported to a parallel world where the romance for railways comes alive.
While there are many interesting places that the capital has to offer, like the Museum of Illusions, Nehru Planetarium Delhi and Air Force Museum Delhi, the Rail Museum has its own unique set of things it has to offer.
It boasts an interesting collection of historical artifacts, photographs, and interactive exhibits that chronicles the evolution of Indian railways.
You can’t help but marvel at the pomp and glory of Indian railways, we bet.
If you’re curious much—and looking to explore the National Rail Museum in the capital city—this all-inclusive guide may have all the answers you need.
Let’s dig in further!
Rail Museum in Delhi: An Overview
Back in 1962, an idea was born—the Transport Museum!
But, it wasn’t until 1970 that this idea started taking shape under the guidance of Michael Graham, a popular rail enthusiast.
A year later—on the 7th of October in 1971—the then President of India, Shri V.V. Giri laid the foundation of what we now know as the National Rail Museum.
After six years of dedicated efforts, the museum, initially named as the ‘Rail Transport Museum,’ was inaugurated by the esteemed Railway Minister, Shri Kamlapati Tripathi.
The vision was ambitious, aiming to showcase the fascinating history of Railways, Roadways, Airways, and Waterways under one roof.
However, fate had other plans, and the idea didn’t pan out as visioned.
In 1995, it got a fresh name—the National Rail Museum—focusing solely on the origin, development, and evolution of trains and railways.
Rail Museum Delhi in a Nutshell
Here’s a look at some key highlights of the National Rail Museum.
| Location | Chandra Gupta Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi |
| Area | 11 acres |
| Establishment Year | 1977 |
| Operated Under | The Ministry of Railways, Government of India |
| Inaugurated By | Kamalapati Tripathi, Former Railway Minister of India |
| What’s Inside | Railway Artifacts, Coaches, Engines, and Exhibits |
| Alcohol Consumption | Prohibited |
| Photography | Allowed |
7 Things You Shouldn’t Miss in Rail Museum Delhi
While the Rail Museum sprawls over a large area—housing pretty fascinating artifacts and exhibits to look forward to—there are still a few things you shouldn’t miss once you’re inside. We’ve covered all seven of them below.
The Indoor Gallery
On stepping in, you’ll be dazzled by a display of Indian Railway uniforms, various signaling instruments, and telecommunications systems used in the early days. What’s more, you’ll come across some antique railway furniture, giving a glimpse of the golden era of railways. As like that, there is Waste to Wonders park is situated in Delhi where you can watch the 7 wonders from all over the world.
The Outdoor Gallery
The Outdoor Gallery is put together to let you experience the classic feel of ‘walking through a real railway yard.’ You’ll be treated to an exquisite collection of engines and coaches spanned across a variety of steam, electric, and diesel locomotives. The catch? These aren’t replicas but the original exhibits.
Rides and 3D Stimulators
Reconnect with your inner child and bask in some joyous moments by hopping on the Toy Train and Joy Train in the Rail Museum. If that proves insufficient, there is a virtual 3D ride awaiting you inside the Indoor Gallery of the museum.
The Royal Collection
Get yourself a ticket to the past and catch a glimpse of the lavish lifestyles of the kings and queens of yesteryears. You’ll get to see the saloons used by the Prince of Wales, Maharaja of Mysore, and Maharaja of Indore. It’s like stepping into a regal fairy tale!
The Rail Restaurant
Picture yourself in a restaurant on rail wheels and dining to your heart’s content! At Railway Museum Delhi, your imagination turns to life with the Rail Restaurant. Backed by state-of-the-art facilities and an infrastructure that gives the quintessential coach-life feels, the restaurant serves a broad variety of delicacies that makes your taste buds dance with joy. A must-visit indeed!
The Souvenir Section
Take a piece of your experience at the Rail Museum by buying a souvenir! Head to the shop, where you can find aesthetic train models, postcards, apparel, books, posters, and more. It’s the perfect way to create an everlasting memory and seal your experience with love. Or if you’re a nature lover, so you must go to Sunder Nursery once to experience the beautiful greenery in Delhi.
Miniature India
Venture up to the first floor to explore ‘Miniature India.’ A marvel at scale, it is a melting pot of history and culture that captures the essence of India. As you step in, you’ll find a beautiful model showcasing all the world-famous landmarks of India, including the Wankhede Stadium, Indian Railway Network, Metro systems, dams, bridges, highways, and the overall development of the country.
National Rail Museum Photos
Just so you know, the Rail Museum Delhi touches the pulse of the nation with its captivating exhibits. Below, you’ll get to see a few of them.
- Fairy Queen
- Patiala State Monorail Trainways
- Toy Train
- Electric Locomotive 4502
- Saloon of Prince of Wales
- Crane Train
- Saloon of Maharaja of Mysore
Important Details About Railway Museum You Must Know
Before visiting the Rail Museum, it is important to know every detail around it to avoid any last-minute inconvenience. Below is the low-down on Rail Museum timings, ticket prices, and the nearest metro station, so you don’t have to go through the whole Delhi Metro map.
National Rail Museum Ticket Price:
- Entry Type: Paid
- Entry Fees:
- Adults (12 years and above): Rs. 50 (Weekdays) and Rs. 100 (Weekends)
- Children (3-12 years): Rs. 10 (Weekdays) and Rs. 20 (Weekend)
- Timings
- 10 AM to 5 PM.
- The ticket counter closes at 4:30 PM.
- Operating Days
- All days except Mondays.
- Nearest Metro Station
- Lok Kalyan Marg Metro Station (Yellow Line)
- Durgabai Deshmukh South Campus Metro Station (Pink Line)
- Moti Bagh Metro Station (Pink Line)
- How to Reach?
- Bus
The nearest bus stop to the railway museum is the Moti Bagh bus stop which lies approximately 1.2 km away. Get on the following bus routes as listed below.
- 0604
- 604
- 620
- 630
- 632
- 680
- 781
- AC-781
- Cab
Book a cab through the smartphone app to get to the museum easily and quickly. Pay the fare as appears on the app.
- Personal Vehicle
You can ride/drive your personal vehicle to the museum. You can avail of the parking facility at the museum.
- Car: Rs. 20
- Two-wheeler: Rs. 10
- Bus
- Places to Visit Near Railway Museum
- Indira Gandhi Memorial Museum (4 Kms)
- Safdarjung Tomb (4.6 Kms)
- Sarojini Nagar Market (2.5 Kms)
- India Gate (6.6 Kms)
- Hauz Khas Fort (5.5 Kms)
- Deer Park (5.3 Kms)
- Things to Keep in Mind Before Visiting
- Plan your visit on weekdays if possible to avoid the weekend rush.
- Refrain from touching or mishandling the artifacts and displays.
- Wear comfortable shoes for walking around.
- Check for guided tours to experience the might of the museum holistically.
- The Rail Museum stays closed on National Holidays.
Parting Words
Whether you’re a railway enthusiast, a history buff, or just looking for a unique family outing, the Rail Museum in New Delhi promises an indelible experience into the past, present, and future of trains. So, all aboard for an extraordinary experience!
We’ve paid attention to covering all relevant details in this article. There are various other interesting and fun places in Delhi, and the Rail Museum is one of them. Besides that, if you love to go to adventure and fun spots, so you must visit Zoo and Water Parks in Delhi.
