For many years now I have been wanting to visit this Railway Museum inside the ICF (Integral Coach Factory) Perambur in Chennai. This small museum recently celebrated its 12th anniversary too and I managed to go to it today only.
What’s the occasion you might be asking?
As parents many of us complaint that our kids are watching TV or with Tablet Devices all the time, not spending time outside or have total lack of interest on history or science. Mostly we complain and not do anything about it. I decided I will make a change with me. Today and Tomorrow I took leave from work and decided to take my son around the city. Day 1 the stop was Railway Museum. As a child I always enjoyed train sets and whenever I travel abroad I don’t miss a chance to travel in trains there – as they are always better maintained than India. I still have fond memories of my first visit abroad in 1998 and it was to world-famous York Railway Museum in UK – the largest railway museum in the world.
The Regional Railway Museum near Villivakkam in New Avadi Road, Chennai is small. The museum is open six days a week except Mondays, from 10AM to 6PM. Entrance ticket is Rs.10 per person and Rs.100 for Video camera (they consider DSLR to be video camera based on size), I didn’t complain as I was happy to spend time with my son showing a Rail museum in our own city.
Regional Rail Museum, Chennai – Ticket Counter
Layout of Regional Rail Museum, ICF, Chennai
Indian Railways Regional Rail Museum – Chennai
The campus houses several old discarded coaches in the open garden, models of engines and spare parts on display in the inside building. There is a small toy train ride for kids fun, which costs Rs.20 per head, what the heck I went for it too.
Engine Spares
Sleepers
Coaches on display
Electric Locomotive
Engine Room
Apart from coaches and engines there was in display old ledgers and other artefacts used by railway in olden days. Interesting.
Service Register
Mountain train coach
We spent nearly two hours in the museum including the toy train ride, killing our time by even watching the video show. Generally you can cover the whole museum in less than a hour and that won’t be rushing. Just like any other place in Chennai during summer carry plenty of water bottles with you.