The
foundation of the first Transport Museum (Now National Rail Museum) in India
was laid on 7th October, 1971 by then President of India, Shri V.V.
Giri, with the objective to explain to the public at large the historical
development of the Railways, their achievements in a clear, lucid and
scientific manner so that the public in general evince interest in the
Railways. The NRM was inaugurated by then Rail Minister Sh. Kamlapati Tripathi
on 1st February, 1977. The museum is located in over 10 acres of
land & has both indoor and outdoor exhibits. In all there are 88 outdoor
exhibits, some of them are about 150 years old namely “Ram Gooty Steam Engine”.
Museum boasts of having Steam Engines of
the various gauges, fireless Steam Engine, mono rail train, working Fire Engine
of Nizam (Morris Fire Engine), Various, saloon, belonging to erstwhile rulers
& British viceroys, coaches & Vans plying on different gauges for
transporting public & animals, self-propelled Rail cars, Break down Cranes, Military Vans
etc. All these exhibits has a story to be told.
NRM
alongwith RITES Ltd. has taken a step in this direction by procuring Audio
Guide System in which the historical significance of these exhibits has been
recorded in a story telling format. The equipment alongwith story for this
project has been supplied by M/s Integrated Digital Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
On
implementation of Audio Guide system, it will overtake the role of a Human
Guide. It will enhance the overall experience of visiting and learning about
collections of the museum. This will also ease the overcrowding of visitors at
a particular place of exhibit as the peak Footfall per day registered is as
high as 5500 and average Footfall is 1700-1800 visitors. The system has been
designed in both English & Hindi languages and also for the children
separately to suit the interest of public of all generations.
Patiala
State Mono Rail TRAMWAYS (PSMT):-
PSMT
was a unique rail guided, partially road-borne railways systems running in
Patiala in the state of Punjab from 1907 to 1927. It is the only operational
locomotive – hauled Railway system built using the Ewing system in the world
i.e. monorails using a balancing wheel for balancing the train. Maharaja Sir
Bhupinder Singh ji of Patiala got this unique railway system constructed under
supervision of Col Bowles to facilitate movement of people and goods in his
state. Four locomotives for PSMT were built and delivered by Orenstein &
Koppel of Germany (O&K) in 1909 at a cost of £500 to £600 (about Rs.
7,000/-) each. Out of these 4 locos:-
a) Loco no.
O&K 3359 is preserved at Amritsar workshop.
b) Two other
locos now does not exist.
c) Loco O&K
3358 and the saloon are preserved at NRM, New Delhi.
The
coach under frame at NRM belongs to inspection coach of Col Bowles, on which
the present coach body had been reproduced.
National
Rail Museum, New Delhi took the initiative to get the PSMT loco and saloon revived
& restored. With the help of Amritsar workshop, Rewari Steam Shed staff and
NRM staff the loco has been brought back into operational condition.
The
saloon has been revived and restored with the help of M/s Heritage
Conservators, Chandigarh. Now both loco & coach are in fully operational
condition.
On
the occasion of 37th Museum Foundation Day Chairman Railway Board, Sh. Vinay Mittal will inaugurate
PSMT after restoration, Audio Guide System and dedicate it to public.
Comments
Post a Comment