The rhythm of the steam locomotive conjuring up images of belching smoke and shifting tracks will come alive at the Mysore Rail Museum, which is poised for expansion.
The authorities are planning a sound-and-light programme complete with the history of the railways as part of the renovation plan.
“We have Rs. 1 crore with us while the cost of expansion is around Rs. 4.62 crore. We are awaiting the release of additional funds to take up the project, which has already been approved by the Railways,” said Rajkumar Lal, Divisional Railway Manager, Mysuru.
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But, expansion work has already begun in the earnest. A wooden metre gauge vintage wagon from Banapur (Hospet) of Hubballi Division has been shifted to the Mysore Rail Museum. The central workshop staff here have rebuilt and provided an under gear for the wagon,” Mr. Lal said.
In addition, two wagons of a rail bus, which was operating on the Shivamogga –Talaguppa route, have been added and so has a diesel locomotive.
A senior engineer involved with the project said they have already acquired heritage furniture from different divisions and they are being repaired for display at the museum. A steam-operated crane will be procured from Bhusaval in Maharashtra and narrow gauge coaches from Nagpur, he said.
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Our vision is to make it a star attraction for tourists visiting Mysuru. The Additional Secretary, Tourism, Government of Karnataka, has evinced keen interest in the development of the museum and has promised aid, the official said.
In what maybe the first of its kind in the country, a touchscreen device providing comprehensive details of the Railways, the divisions, locomotives, trains, rolling stock etc. will be kept at the museum, he added.
We have Rs. 1 crore with us while the cost of expansion is around Rs. 4.62 crore. We are awaiting the release of additional funds
Rajkumar Lal,Divisional Railway Manager, Mysuru