Photographer Ranjithsiji
The Railway Museum of Mysore is an interesting place to know about the spectacular journey of the railways in India spanning a period of more than 150 years. The museum displays ancient steam locomotives, carriages, special purpose vehicles, wagons, telecommunication equipment and several other things related to the operation of the railways through the ages.
The Railway Museum was established in the year 1979 under the supervision of Indian Railways. It is located on the Krishnaraja Sagar Road in Mysore. The Mysore Railway Museum is the second such museum in the country after the National Railway Museum in Delhi. The museum is famous for being the only place in the country that houses an outdoor exhibit of vintage locomotives.
An interesting exhibition of vintage locomotives
The Railway Museum of Mysore preserves and presents a slice of the history of Indian Railways.
The museum has a fascinating collection of several ancient steam locomotives and carriages. A rare collection of royal carriages belonging to the erstwhile Mysore rulers, the Wodeyar Kings, is one of the high points of the museum. Visitors can have a look at two of the royal coaches used by the kings of the former Mysore Kingdom. They offer an idea about the grand nature in which the royalty of our country travelled in those days. Occupying a place of pride inside the museum is the first steam engine built in India.
A major attraction of the Railway Museum at Mysore is the Maharani’s Saloon. This royal carriage dates back to 1899 and has a kitchen, a dining car unit and a royal toilet.
Another gem in the museum’s collection is the Austin Railway Car. The 1925 model Austin was originally built to run on road. After being sold to a scrap dealer it was retrieved by a railway employee and restored by him. The employee made quite a few major changes to the car. He fitted it with rail wheels and detached the steering wheel from the car. This converted the automobile into a railcar. This special railcar has the capacity to carry six people. It was used to carry inspection officials on track.
The best part about the locomotives displayed in the museum is that some of them are still in working condition, including the unique Austin Railway Car.
A rare glimpse into a bygone era
The Railway Museum at Mysore has a huge and priceless collection of rare black and white photographs, paintings, signaling signs, lights, tickets, ticketing machines, clocks and several other objects that depict the growth and development of railways in India.
Among the many interesting exhibits are a steam water pump of 1934 and a hand-operated crane of 1885. A wooden pillar and doors from the Old Srirangapatna railway station are also displayed in the museum.
The museum also has a very exciting attraction for the children. A battery operated mini train offers a short ride to the children and takes them around the grounds of the museum.
Exhibits at the Railway Museum, Mysore
Among the attractive exhibits inside the Railway Museum of Mysore is:
- An ES 506 4-6-2 locomotive
- An Austin Railway Car
- A number of inspection cars and an inspection car cum ticket office
- Two royal coaches that belonged to the King of the former Mysore Kingdom
- The Maharani Saloon carriage with a dining car unit, a kitchen and a royal toilet
- A W.G. Bagnall # 1625 that was built in 1900
- Class E # 37244 4-4-4T from Surrey Iron Railway (SIR) built by North British Locomotive Co. in 1920. It was one of the three superheated locomotives
- Class TS/1 #37338 2-6-2T from Southern Railway (SR), made by W.G. Bagnall in 1932 for Mysore State Railways
- A YP #2511 made by Telco in 1963
Visitor’s Information
A ride on the mini train and entering with a video or still camera attracts a nominal extra charge for the visitors. Parking space is available inside the museum premises.
- Timing: 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. (Monday closed)
- Entry Fee: Adults – INR 10. Children – INR 5.
- Phone: +91 821 2866 955
How to reach
The Mysore Railway Museum is located near the railway station of Mysore, one of the most well-connected places in Mysore.
There are several ways to reach Mysore. The city has a small domestic airport that is connected only to Bangalore. The railway station of Mysore connects the city to several other cities in south India. Frequent bus service is available for Mysore from Bangalore.
Private vehicles and taxis can also be easily hired from Bangalore to reach Mysore. Visitors can reach the Mysore Railway Museum through all means of local transport like buses, taxis and auto rickshaws.
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