Chennai Rail Museum, Railway museum in Perambur, India
The Chennai Rail Museum is a railway museum set across 6.25 acres displaying around 40 train models and historical railway equipment. The collection features steam engines, diesel locomotives, and coaches representing different periods of India's railway development.
The museum was founded in 2002 and is located within the Integral Coach Factory premises, preserving locomotives from the British colonial era. The collection includes models from North British Locomotive Company, documenting the railways during colonial times.
The museum displays railway coaches once used by Mahatma Gandhi during his travels, linking India's railway system to the independence movement. This connection reflects how central the railways were to the nation's political awakening.
The museum opens Tuesday through Sunday and closes on Mondays, with entry ending before final closing time. Plan enough time to walk through the outdoor displays and indoor galleries at a comfortable pace.
The museum features a themed restaurant called Chennai Express designed like a railway platform, offering an immersive experience with indoor galleries and digital screenings. This addition transforms the visit beyond a typical exhibition of historic trains.
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