Chennai Rail Museum-Worthy visit!

For long, I didn't even know that Chennai had a rail museum. It is located in other part of town, not very close to any popular sites and doesn't appear in any list of must do/must visit things in Chennai, so not many people are aware of this museum. I came to know about this only few months ago and managed a visit during one of the weekends in December.

This post shares photos, details and visitor information about Chennai Rail Museum, so that you can plan your visit.

First thing I noticed is the gate-designed like a rail coach- very creative!

What to expect at Chennai Rail Museum?
Art and creative works:
Museum showcases various creative stuff related to railways, made by artists. Also paintings made by children of ICF (Indian Coach Factory) staff is displayed.

Art gallery
Art Gallery has a separate ticket (Rs 20) and displays various paint work and models related to trains.

History
Lots of interesting historical information about Indian railways, major incidents, miniature models of important trains/coaches, engines etc are on the exhibits inside, spread over 2 floors. Did you know that Indian Railway exported coaches to various countries including Vietnam? I had a train journey in Vietnam last year- feels good to know that some of those coaches are made in India

Engine Block of a diesel engine

Did you know that there were double-decker compartments way back in 1953?

Coach of Chennai Express!

What I have shown is just a sample. If the topic interests you, do visit and experience in detail

External Exhibits
Several old engines, systems are shown in an open area
Below is a track with additional gear in the centre- can you guess where this kind of system is applicable? Yes, on mountain tracks, to prevent gravity from pulling the train down

 Old steam engine- This Fowler Steam ploughing engine, made in England in 1985

 Old crane

 
Old locomotive

A miniature train world, with a toy engine that moves around the track.

Watch a video of the toy train set in action [Or watch on Youtube]

 Engine models and real coaches on display- Few of them are open- you can go inside and take a look

Toy Train ride: There's a toy train that operates at fixed timings- one ride is included in the ticket fare. It goes around the yard 2 rounds, total ride lasts about 10 minutes

Watch a video of toy train ride below [Or watch on Youtube]

A cup of tea is also included in the ticket price. A canteen is available where bare minimum items are sold. Couldn't spot any good restaurants nearby.

Overall it was a worthy visit. We'd also visited Train museum in Mysuru while returning from Evolve Back Kabini last year. Yet to write about that.

Visitor information:
Timing: 10 AM till 9 PM (You can visit earlier, say by 9.30 and start exploring exhibits in the open area)
Address: New Avadi Road, ICF Furnishing division, Lakshmipuram (near Villivakam) Chennai 38 [Google Maps link]
Ticket Fare: Rs 40 for adults, includes a cup of tea and toy train ride
Time to spend: 2 hours approx, depending on interest.
Lots of restrooms available, free and in good condition.

More museum posts; Sea Shell Museum, Mahabalipuram * Gandhi Museum,Madurai * GeeDee car museum, Coimbatore * Wax Museum, Kodai Kanal * Devil's museum, Kaunas * Grand Prix Museum, Macau * Heritage Transport Museum, Delhi *

More Train related posts: Jaipur Delhi double decker experience * Japan Bullet train experience * KL Monorail * Chennai local train early morning photos * Swiss Mountain Railway* Nilgiris Mountain Railway *

Check this post for other things to do/weekend destinations from Chennai 

Also check Vistadome coaches launched by Indian Railways