National Rail Museum ( Nrm ) New Delhi, India - A Legacy Of The British Empire

Greetings, from India.

I've created this thread to share some photographs from the National Rail Museum, New Delhi. It features a variety of exhibits portraying the history of rail transport in my country. Most of the exhibits featured here are from the pre-independence era ( before 1947 ) or just after Indian independence.

Among this collection, you'll find -

• Steam / Diesel / Electric locos. built ( mostly ) in the U.K. and the U.S.
• Carriages and wagons of historical importance.
• Photographs of some important moments in Indian history within the proximity of rail transport.
• Rail-related artifacts to commemorate the journey of Indian Railways.

And much more !

Before we embark upon this journey, a gentle request to all forum members -

1. Let's keep politics and our differences aside and stay respectful so that everyone can have a pleasant experience. ( Requesting the forum moderators to intervene if necessary )
2. Feel free to use these photographs for commercial / non-commercial purposes after acknowledging this thread as the source.
3. As a lot of the rolling stock you're going to see here ( pre-1947 ) was built outside of India, feel free to add upon it if you have insights regarding the manufacturers.
4. I'll try to explain ( wherever necessary ) in a simple manner. If something specific fancies you, please let me know and I'll elaborate upon the details.
5. You are requested to contribute your experiences, photographs, and videos if you / anyone you know has visited India. Moreover, I'll be happy to assist if you plan to visit India for Rail-fanning purposes.

Cheers.

 

Logo of NRM
The inscription in Hindi on the top says 'National Rail Museum'
On the bottom says 'New Delhi'

( And Yes, that's my profile pic for DTG forums )

 

Upon entering, the first thing you'll see is this Narrow Gauge loco. MTR-2

 

A coach from the train of the Viceroy of India ( equivalent to The President in independent India )

 

The only loco. in the world with a 0-3-0 wheel configuration.

 

A Diesel Shunter built in Leeds

 

I call it Beauty & The Beast

 

X Class Tank engine from Nilgiri Mountain Railways, a Rack Railway in South India.
( This loco. serves as the basis of Ashima, a character from Thomas & Friends )

 

Loco. no. 799-B from the famous 'Tea Hauling' Narrow Gauge Railway of Darjeeling

 

Another of its cousins No. 777-B, working a tourist train...

 

No. 885, the smallest loco. in India ( not an amusement park thing, it worked in commercial service )





That bust in the background of above photograph is Mahatma Gandhi ( facing the loco. ) and Rabindranath Tagore ( Opposite side )

 

The First electric Locomotive ( not just in India, but the entire Asia )
EF-2 'Sir Leslie Wilson'





The initials G.I.P. stands for Great Indian Peninsula Railway Company, the largest railway company in India under the British Raj.

 

The largest loco. to serve in India. A Beyer-Peacock Garratt No. 815-N.



The initials BNR on the water tank stands for 'Bengal & Nagpur Railway', a very prominent railway of it's time.



( 'The Burning Train', a Bollywood movie that premiered in 1980 has some of its starting scenes shot in the museum. This loco was standing in this very spot in the movie suggesting that it has never moved since then. The reason for the tracks underneath bending is due to it's weight. )

 

Loco. EA-1 'Sir Roger Lumley' later numbered 4006 was among the first electric locos. in India.
It pulled the first passenger train on what is now known as The Mumbai-Suburban Railway ( Mumbai local )

 

Steam loco. F-734.
The first locomotive built in India

 

A 'Sentinel' locomotive, a steam loco. with chain drive system.
Highly recommended to visit this link

 

This is Bombay, Baroda & Central India Railway ( B.B. & C.I. ) No. 162 'Duchess of York'.



Notice the ( apparent ) lack of valve gear.
Reason - It's the only loco. in India with a 'Joy' gear ( inside cylinders )