Shri Pralhad Joshi, Hon’ble Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Coal & Mines and Shri Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Union Minister of Railways dedicated the Railway Museum at Hubballi to the nation through video link today( 09.08.2020). Shri Suresh Angadi, Hon’ble Union Minister of State of Railways presided over the function. Shri Abbayya Prasad, Hon’ble MLA of Hubballi-Dharwad East; Shri Arvind Bellad, Hon’ble MLA of Hubballi-Dharwad West; Shri Pradeep Shettar, Hon’ble MLC and other dignitaries graced the occasion.
Welcoming the dignitaries, Shri Ajay Kumar Singh, GM/SWR said that the railway museum at Hubballi is the first of its kind in North Karnataka and second in SWR after the Rail Museum at Mysuru. This Museum will enthrall visitors narrating the story of Railways in India in the past 167 years. The Museum is spread over an area of 4,150 sqm. The museum has a fascinating collection of Rolling stock, a wide range of artefacts beautified by aesthetic lighting.
He said that since Shri Piyush Goyal ji has taken over as Minister of Railways, the functioning of railways has transformed and revolutionized. He thanked Shri Pralhad Joshi for extending constant support for railways by giving valuable inputs. He said that after Shri Suresh Angadi has taken over as Hon’ble MoSR, SWR has been able to complete pending infrastructure projects by regular coordination with the State Government.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Piyush Goyal said, “Railways has an emotional connect with all of us. Railways have played an important role in our lives and have been witness to our personal journeys of life in different phases. He referred to Mahatma Gandhi and said that Gandhi Ji also preferred to understand India through trains. Railways have itself gone through great transformations. Story of the evolution of Railways from the steam era to the modern bullet trains era is truly remarkable. Museum is a monument of tribute to that extraordinary change. Moving into a post Covid era would also see many changes. The museum will help in sensitizing society about shared history and culture. It will tell us about our roots and our foundations. We must preserve memories and legacy. We are now making Railways fully electrified and 100 % green. It will be a world class passenger and freight services organization. Railways will continue to change and transform. Legacy will continue to be great and would require to be constantly preserved.
Shri Suresh Angadi said that it’s a great day for Hubballi and north Karnataka. After Mysuru, a second museum is set up here. He appreciated the work by railways in transporting migrant workers ensuring safety and also providing food.
Shri Pralhad Joshi appreciated SWR for running 266 Shramik trains carrying 3.90 lakh passengers to their native places. He also appreciated SWR for converting 320 coaches as isolation coaches. He asked to complete the Hubballi-Belagavi-Bengaluru double line and electrification work expeditiously and speed up the trains to reach Bengaluru in 6 hrs.
The Highlights of the Museum:
Galaxy of Rolling Stock
Malaprabha and Ghataprabha cottages
Theatre Coach
Suruchi Cafeteria
Toy Train
Memorabilia Shop
Ticket Printing Machine
Model train run
Children’s Activity Room
A grand arch at the entrance welcomes one to the bygone era. Embellished with emblems of forerunners of South Western Railway, that served this region which is Southern Mahratta Railway, Mysore and Southern Mahratta Railway etc., The welcome arch beckons visitors to explore the world of Railways.
Outdoor landscape: Two narrow gauge locomotives (train Engines) are the prime attraction in the Museum. All the exhibits that run on track and are related to track such as Rolling Stock (engines), Coach, wagon, tanker, Permanent way material like Rails, sleepers, Level crossing gate, signals etc are provided in the galleries setup amidst soothing greenery of the Museum.
A narrow gauge coach which depicts “Unity in diversity with life size statues of passengers from various parts of the country is an added attraction for the visitors.
Two beautiful cottages constructed in 1907, are converted to two parts of the museum named as Malaprabha and Ghataprabha after the two rivers of the region.
Ghataprabha cottage: The cottages define quintessential old age charm, house collection of indoor artifacts. Ghataprabha cottage features a model room with running train, signal instruments etc. History of Locomotives, wagons, coaches is presented along with antique Books and Plants. Glimpses of working of Railway in Medical and security fronts can be seen. A colourful children activity room with fun facts is also part of Ghatprabha. A memorabilia counter where souvenirs can be bought and a history corner where history of Railway companies is covered in the cottage.
Malaprabha Cottage: A series of beautiful charcoal sketches constitute an art gallery at the entrance of Malaprabha. Booking offices with ticket counters, printed tickets, iron cash chests reflect reminiscences of the ticketing of a few decades back. A station master room is simulated with Panel, all the apparatus, registers, furniture and even life size statues of station master and Points man. The adjacent room is designed on a theme of a waiting room with antique furniture. A parcel office setup is also recreated with a 150 year old parcel weighing machine.
The evolution and progress of Permanent way, rails, sleepers, track fitting, telecommunication, electrical.
The regular working Hours for the Museum from 11th Aug 2020 are as below:
Normal Days (Tuesday to Friday) 12 noon to 7 pm
Weekends & Public Holidays 12 noon to 8 pm
Every Monday is a Holiday
Entry Ticket Charges
Adult (above 12 Years) INR 20/-
Child (5-12 Years) INR 10/-
Less than 5 Years Free
Theatre Coach
Show timings (every one hour starting from 12.00 pm 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm, 4 pm, 5 pm)
In Group of 10 members each ticket INR 10/-
Show Time 15 mts
Toy Train Ticket (one trip)
Each Ticket INR 10/-
* Three rounds of to and fro constitutes one trip.
