history

National Rail Museum,
Chanakyapuri,
New Delhi-110 021.
India.
Tel: +91 11-2688 1816/0939
Fax: +91 11-2688 0804

The famous Patiala State Monorail steams up at the National Railway Museum in New Delhi. Every Sunday, this oddball half train, half whatever takes visitors on a joyride around the grounds of the museum.

Two monsters from the steam era make their presence felt at the NRM. The 2-8-2 XE class loco (left) built by Vulcan Foundry weighing a just  200 tonnes is dwarfed by the big fat beast on the right which weighs a measly 237 tonnes !!! The Bengal Nagpur Railways’ 4-8-0+0-8-4 Garrat, is by far the biggest locomotive ever to have ever steamed in this country.

The next step in the evolution of Indian Railways, was the introduction of electric traction. The first electric locomotive to enter commercial service in India was the GIPR’s (now CR) EF/1 ‘Crocodile’ (WCG1) locomotive (left). Next were the EA/1 & EA/2 ( WCP1 and WCP2) locomotives (middle) which had an unusual 1-Co-2 wheel layout. These too were deployed on the GIPR network. 3 MG DC locos ran on the Madras - Tambaram section before it was converted to the mainstream 25 kV AC. These locos (right) were classified as YCG1 and the first of these (#21900) is preserved in the NRM lawns.

The first mainline diesel locomotives on IR’s MG network were the Northern British built YDM1 class locomotives. One such locomotive has been recently restored at the NRM and stands apart with its bright orange paint. Other notable diesels in the NRM are the now defunct WDM1 and WDM4 locos (right), which are waiting proper restoration before they acquire their place under the sun in the hallowed lawns of the museum.

The WAM1 was the first mainline electric locomotive to run on the 25 kV AC system. The first of its class (#20202) designed by SNCF and  named ‘Jagjivan Ram’ was based at Kanpur shed, and is now housed at the NRM. Plaques fixed to the sides of the loco read out the historical significance of this pioneering machine.

IR got its first dedicated 25 kV AC freight locomotive in the shape of the WAG1 in 1963. Built on tried on tested European designs, these sturdy locomotives did regular service till the mid 1990s after which they were withdrawn. One unit sporting Vijaywada colors is now preserved at the NRM.

Children and adults are treated alike by this tiny little faux steam train which runs around the museum grounds, offering a quick overview of the wares displayed.