North Karnataka gets first railway museum

Dharwad, Aug 10: The famous Hubballi junction now has a new tourist attraction. The railway museum inaugurated on Sunday will serve a treat of Railway Heritage items of yesteryears.

The Museum, first of its kind in North Karnataka is the second in South Western Railway after the historic Mysuru Rail Museum at Mysuru. 

Minister of Railways and Commerce & Industry, Piyush Goyal and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Coal & Mines, Pralhad Joshi dedicated the museum through video conferencing on Sunday. The event was presided over by Minister of State of Railways, Suresh C. Angadi.

The museum aims at preserving and portraying the glorious heritage of various branches of Railways and displays the gradual evolution of advanced systems in all spheres of Railway working.  

At Hubballi Museum, the artifacts are broadly arranged in three sections i.e., at the two cottages named Malaprabha and Ghataprabha and the outdoor section.

 Highlights of the Museum:

•           Galaxy of Rolling Stock

•           Malaprabha and Ghataprabha cottages

•           Theatre  Coach

•           Suruchi Cafeteria

•           Toy Train

•           Memorabilia  Shop

•           Ticket Printing Machine

•           Model train run

•           Children’s Activity Room

Embellished with emblems of forerunners of South Western Railway, that served this region which is Southern Mahratta Railway, Mysore and Southern Mahratta Railway, etc., the welcome arch beckons visitors to explore the world of Railways.

Outdoor landscape: Two narrow gauge locomotives (train engines) are the prime attraction in the Museum.  All the exhibits that run on the track and are related to track such as Rolling Stock (engines), Coach, wagon, tanker, Permanent way material like Rails, sleepers, Level crossing gate, signals, etc are provided in the galleries set up amidst soothing greenery of the Museum.

A narrow-gauge coach that depicts “Unity in diversity” with life-size statues of passengers from various parts of the country is an added attraction for the visitors.

Two beautiful cottages constructed in 1907, are converted to two parts of the museum named as Malaprabha and Ghataprabha after the two rivers of the region.

Ghataprabha cottage: The cottages define quintessential old-age charm, house collection of indoor artefacts.  Ghataprabha cottage features a model room with a running train, signal instruments, etc.  History of Locomotives, Wagons, coaches are presented along with antique Books and Plants.  Glimpses of working of railways in Medical and security fronts can be seen.  A colorful children activity room with fun facts is also part of Ghatprabha.  A memorabilia counter where souvenirs can be bought and a history corner where the history of Railway companies is covered in the cottage.

Malaprabha Cottage: A series of beautiful charcoal sketches constitute the art gallery at the entrance of Malaprabha. Booking office with the ticket counter, printed tickets, iron cash chests reflect reminiscences of the ticketing of a few decades back.  A station master room is simulated with Panel, all the apparatus, registers, furniture, and even life-size statues of the station master and Points man. The adjacent room is designed on theme of the waiting room with antique furniture. A parcel office setup is also recreated with a 150-year-old parcel weighing machine.

The evolution and progress on of Permanent way, rails, sleepers, track fitting, telecommunication, electrical items along with time in tune with technology, is illustrated in the museum.

Platform with Theatres & Restaurant Coaches: A majestic platform with ornate pillars provides access to restaurant car & Theatre Car.  Short Movies and videos that are both entertaining and educative are planned to be played at fixed show hours in the coach Theatre.

Ride in a Toy Train: Colourful carriages steered by the steam engine are sure to amuse children and elders alike. A toy train is manufactured by the Hubballi workshop.  Boarding and taking a short trip in this toy train that is equipped with sound and steam effects will transport visitors to vintage era and awaken the child in us.

Given the precautions to be taken in wake of COVID pandemic, entry for visitors to the museum is restricted to only 30 members at a time. Visitors will be requested to sanitize their hands frequently using Sanitizer dispensers provided, compulsorily wear a face mask, and maintain social distancing when visiting the Museum.  The theatre coach will remain closed until complete relaxation lockdown and return of normalcy.

The regular working hours for the Museum from 11th Aug 2020 are :

•           Normal Days (Tuesday to Friday) 12 noon to 7 pm

•           Weekends & Public Holidays 12 noon to 8 pm

•           Every Monday is a Holiday

Entry Ticket Charges

•           Adult (above 12 Years) INR 20/-

•           Child (5-12 Years)      INR 10/-

•           Less than 5 Years        Free

Theatre Coach

•           Show timings (every one hour starting from 12.00 pm 1 pm,  2  pm,  3 pm,  4 pm, 5 pm)

•           In Group of 10 members each ticket  INR 10/-

•           Show Time      15 mts

Toy Train Ticket (one trip)

•           Each Ticket     INR 10/-

* Three rounds of to and fro constitutes one trip.