The
National Rail Museum is a must visit for those who love locomotives. The
various models of train engines and coaches including the model of
India's very first train, a steam engine that made its journey from
Mumbai to Thane in 1853 and the locomotives displayed in the open are
simply lovable. The museum sprawling across 10 acres of land is a
storehouse of information on the 150-yr old history of railways in
India. Children love the ride in the toy train on the miniature rail
track around the museum. The highlight of the museum is the Fairy Queen
built in 1855, which is undoubtedly the best-preserved locomotive of its
times.Some of the prized possessions of the museum are the vintage displays including the still-working oldest locomotive in the world. Besides it, there is the Viceregal Dining Car that was built in 1889, the lavish royal coaches of the past such as the Prince of Wales Saloon built in 1875, Maharaja of Mysore's Saloon built in 1899 and the Maharaja of Baroda's Saloon built in 1886. These saloons that were built specially for the imperial personages display elaborate interior design befitting the grandeur of the sovereigns. However, one has to but tickets to enter them.
