Railway museum

A beautiful museum located in Hubli, Dharwad in Karnataka, the Railway Museum is a treasure trove of the legacy of railways in India and displays an impressive collection pertaining to railways and the recreated model rooms that reminisces the old ways of railway operations.

About the Museum

Railways have played a significant role in the growth and development of the nation since the British era and the railway museums set up in various cities of the country have served to impart information about the advancement in railways to the general public by displaying objects of heritage value. The Railway Museum at Hubballi, Dharwad, is a first of its kind in North Karnataka and is situated alongside the entry of Hubballi Railway Station.

Established on 31st July 2020, the museum captivates the visitors with its stunning surroundings and treats them with the heritage of railways from the yesteryears. The museum aims at collecting, preserving, and portraying the legacy of the several branches of the railway along with its advancement. The exhibits are displayed in three sections that consist of two cottages named Malaprabha and Ghataprabha and the outdoor section. Upon entering the museum, the visitors are taken to the bygone era and are presented with the outdoor exhibits that include two narrow-gauge train engines, Rolling Stock (engines), coach, wagon, tanker, rails, sleeper, level crossing gate, signals, etc. amidst the lush green landscape.

The Ghataprabha cottage features a model room with a running train, signal instruments, etc., along with the history of locomotives, coaches, and wagons with old books and plants. A creative and colorful children’s activity room with fun facts enhances the look of the Ghatprabha cottage. In the Malaprabha cottage beautiful charcoal drawings adorn the entry of the art gallery, and models of booking tickets, iron cash chests reflect the memoirs of the ticketing some decades ago. A model of the station master room is also set up with panels, apparatus, registers, furniture, and even life-size statues of the station master which fascinates the visitors. A parcel office is also recreated with a 150-year-old parcel weighing machine. The premises of the museum also has a Toy Train which offers the visitors a complete tour of the museum and is one of the best highlights of the museum.