The rich legacy of the erstwhile South Indian Railway (SIR), vintage railway equipment of the colonial era, and the remarkable developments in the sector through the years will soon be open for public viewing.
The Rail Museum in Tiruchi which houses several prized collections will open its doors to public by the end of the month.
The carefully preserved exhibits which were accommodated in the heritage room situated in the Divisional Railway Manager’s office complex have been shifted to the museum building that has come up on a five-acre land close to the Tiruchi Railway Junction.
A brand new toy train for children and a vintage fire fighting vehicle will be added attractions of the rail museum – the first of its kind in Southern Railway zone encompassing six railway divisions.
A narrow gauge track for operation of the toy train has been laid with alignments and packing works underway on the sprawling museum premises. The four coach toy train will be hauled by a tiny locomotive fitted with a diesel engine.
A metre gauge inspection coach, a steam locomotive, and a railway crane would be added in the near future.
The Railway Board has given its clearance for installation of a loco simulator inside the museum to help visitors get a virtual feel of operating a locomotive, say railway sources.
The museum will showcase various types of clocks used in stations, old lamps, different types of rails and fittings, rare photographs, old gazettes, railway manuals and documents explaining important milestones crossed during the colonial era.
A visit to the museum will enable public to know about the evolution of the railways and the glorious heritage of the erstwhile SIR, say railway officials here.
The museum building was inaugurated in February by the Southern Railway General Manager Rakesh Misra. Plans are afoot to procure glass casings to showcase the indoor exhibits on different themes.
The whole idea of establishing the museum is to preserve and showcase the old artefacts and photographs for posterity and bring to light the rich legacy of the railway organisation among public, say sources.
