NARROW GAUGE RAIL MUSEUM, NAINPUR
Nagpur Division of South East Central Railway once had
the unique distinction of maintaining the largest Narrow Gauge
Railway system in Indian Railways with a network of more than
1005 km known as Satpura Railway. After closure of major
sections in Oct’15 and Dec’15, only 100 kms.
In order to preserve the history of Narrow Gauge Railway
system, then Hon’ble GM Shri Satyendra Kumar advised to set
up a Narrow Gauge Rail Museum at Nainpur after closure of NG
sections for gauge conversion work. Nainpur was the ideal
choice for the museum as it was divisional HQ of Satpura
Railway once.
The museum area is spread over an area of about 10.52
Acre (4.26 Hectare).
Narrow Gauge Rail Museum has following main attraction
for visitors.
Two heritage buildings and one new building have various
thematic galleries based on working of different
department of Railways in Narrow Gauge system.
Running Train (Satpura Express) with one diesel loco and
2 coaches having facility to accommodate 20 persons in
each coach in cushioned push back chair.
AC restaurant Coach with seating capacity for 14 persons.
Air cooled Auditorium with seating capacity for 50 persons
to show short films about Narrow Gauge Railway system
and public awareness related information.
Display of 09 heritage rolling stock including one steam
engine.
Play items for amusement of children like swings, slides,
and see-saw have been provided. An Amphitheatre has
also been provided for cultural activities.
1. Entrance
The main entrance gate of the museum is located on western side. The magnificent arc type
granite tiled structure with LED glow sign gives the museum a beautiful look. A ZE class
steam locomotive near the entrance attracts the attention of the visitors. A cabin for
security guard and spacious parking lot for vehicles has also been provided.
2. Steam Loco 8ZE
This ZE class steam locomotive was built in 1954 by M/s Krauss-Maffei in Munich ,
Germany. It has wheel configuration of 2-8-2 and total weight including tender is 64.37 tons.
This locomotive was based primarily at Nainpur steam loco shed and used mostly in
passenger train services in Howbagh-Nainpur- Gondia- Nainpur- Chhindwara- Mandla
section. It was in service till 1990.
3. New Building
The new two storied building of the museum is located on the eastern side of the museum
was constructed for accommodating more exhibits. The Ground floor displays the history of
‘Satpura lines’ in the form of posters, canvas paintings of five steam loco sheds, steam loco
models, steam loco cab model, working models of Walschaert valve gear and CC class steam
locomotive, different types of old machines, signaling model, heritage drawings, old
documents and manuals, steam loco shed and belt driven machines. A beautiful mural of
steam loco and a scale model of Nainpur settlement area is the highlight among the
exhibits.
4. Nainpur Station & Railway Settlement Model
1. The Nainpur station and railway settlement scale model is kept in the centre of
ground floor of new building. Nainpur railway station with its complete infra
structure, Rest house, Steam loco shed with turn-table, Railway Institute, Railway
school, Old museum building, railway quarters and Offices, Water filter house etc.
have been depicted.
Working model of Signal with Level Crossing gate operation.
6. Canvas Paintings of Steam Loco Sheds
Steam Loco Sheds of Nagpur division are depicted in the form of beautiful Canvas paintings.
7. Steam Loco Cab Model
This is a full scale Driver cab model of CC Class steam locomotive. The cab model depicts
main components and control valves used by the driver while driving the loco. Visitors get a
feel of real loco cab when they hear steam loco whistle by pulling the whistle wire and see
the mock flames of fire inside the firebox. They can also put fake coal pieces in the firebox
with a shovel which get collected in a hidden tray at the bottom.
8. Heritage Machine Gallery
The heritage machine gallery is located on ground floor of new building. It has six different
types of old machines such as Lathe machine, Grinding machine, Circular Saw machine,
Hand Drilling machine, Saw Shaping machine & Belt driven Drilling machine which were
used in the machine shop of Sr. Section Engineer(Bridge), Nainpur. All these machines were
built in between 1880 to 1905.
9. Old Drawings
Old and rare drawings of steam locomotives, wagons and their components collected from
Motibagh Workshop are well preserved.
10.Steam Loco Models
A scale model of each class viz. BS,BC,CC& ZE Class of steam locomotive which were used in
Nagpur Division bring back the memories of steam era.
11. Old Letters
Old and rare correspondence letters of workshop and headquarters at Garden Reach,
Kolkata, challans, and appointment letters of pre-independence era are preserved.
12. Auditorium
The air-conditioned auditorium is located on the ground floor of new building.
Documentaries related to railways are shown to the visitors. It can seat up to 50 persons in
comfortable cushioned chairs. It is also ideal for conducting seminars, meeting for a small
gathering.
13. First Floor New Building
The first floor of new building has scale model layouts of Motibagh workshop, Diesel Shed
Motibagh and Carriage & Wagon Depot, Motibagh. These layouts display the entire set up
of these establishments. Different sections, shops and activities carried in these units are
exhibited in miniature form. The photographs related to the activities are also displayed in
background. These help the visitor in gaining lots of information about working of different
departments of railways.
A view of Mechanical Gallery
Diesel Loco Shed Motibagh LayoutModel
Carriage & Wagon Depot Layout model
Builder Plates of Coaches & wagons
Motibagh Work Shop layout Model
14. Bungalow No. 53
This building built in 1920 was once a residential bungalow. This building has Steam loco
gallery, Signal gallery, Telecom gallery, Diesel Loco gallery and Electrical gallery. The working
of these departments have been explained in the forms of tools, gauges, equipments,
models and photographs.
15. Steam Loco Gallery
The steam loco gallery in Bungalow no. 53 has steam loco model, components of steam
loco, maintenance tools and spanners. Different activities carried out in steam loco sheds
are displayed through photographs.
16. Signal & Telecom Gallery
The Signal and Telecom gallery in Bungalow no. 53hasdifferent Semaphore type signaling
systems, signal levers. Old telephone instruments and communication equipment are also
displayed.
17. Engineering Gallery
The Engineering gallery in Bungalow no. 53hastools and equipment such as shovel, pick axe,
signal lamps used by engineering staff are put on display. A push trolley for carrying heavy
material, rails, fish plates, rail fastenings of different types are available.
18. Carriage & Wagon Gallery (B. No. 53)
The carriage and wagon gallery has on display tools such as hammers, chisel, axe and parts
of coach and wagons such as axle box housing, pins of sizes, laminated springs, coil springs,
coupling and buffing gears etc. The maintenance activities of staff like under gear repairs in
pit line and sick line, watering, gauging lifting etc. have been displayed in the form of
photographs. Heritage photographs of old and rare rolling stocks, special and unique trains
provide interesting information.
19. Diesel Loco Gallery (B. No. 53)
Different components of Diesel Power pack, Transmission and loco cab gauges are
displayed. A working cut model of diesel engine shows its working.
20. Electrical Gallery (B. No. 53)
Old and new type of coach illumination parts such as bulbs, tube rods are kept along with
fans of different types. Electricity generating parts such dynamo, rectifiers and pulleys are
displayed. Evolution in coach lighting is explained through photograhs.
21. Bungalow No. 73
This building built in 1920 was once a residential bungalow. The history of narrow gauge
railways in India and the world have been displayed in form of posters. A collection of
postage stamps on railways from India and other countries provides interesting piece of
information about locomotives and coaches. The heritage items such as bath tub of Sr.
DMO’s bungalow, distill water plant, dressing table of first class waiting hall of Nainpur
stationThe sectional beauty, bridges and important establishment buildings and offices of
narrow gauge section are displayed in the form of photographs. It also has Museum
Managers office and VIP visitors lounge.
22 Heritage Gallery B. No. 73
This gallery has exhibits which are related to Nainpur and adjoining section. Postage stamp
on railways are showcased. Heritage items such as bath tub of Sr. DMO’s bungalow, billiards
stand of railway institute, distill water plant, dressing table of first class waiting hall of
Nainpur station, Photographs of important buildings like Steam Loco Shed, C&W Office,
Railway Station, Water Filter House etc.of Nainpur are displayed.
23. Wheel Lathe
This huge Wheel Lathe machine was built in 1954 by M/s Craven Brothers, Manchester,
England. It measures 8.5 meters in length, 2.9 meters in width, 2.8 meters in height and
weighs about 35 tons. It was located in machine shop of Nainpur steam loco shed. It was
driven by an overhead flat belt drive for profiling of wheels of locomotives, coaches and
wagons.
24. Inspection Carriage RB2
This wooden bodied saloon, built in 1963 by M/s K.T. Steel Industries, Ambernath was based
at Nainpur. It had an Inspection room, Drawing Room, Attendant room with kitchen. Four
berths have been provided in drawing room. It was used by the officers for sectional
inspection and was in service till Oct’15.
25. Tourist Train
The Tourist train consists of actual narrow gauge diesel loco and coaches. The train takes
the visitors on ride inside the museum premises on track length of about 540 metres. The
train has been painted with a beautiful dark brown and cream livery and has been named as
‘Satpura Express’. The coaches have been refurbished and provided with luxurious push-
back type chairs for the passengers. Each coach can seat up to a maximum of 20 passengers.
26. Restaurant Car
One narrow gauge sleeper coach has been tastefully refurbished and converted in to an air
conditioned Restaurant car. It has three big and one small wooden framed glass top tables
with antique look wooden chairs to seat up to 14 persons. One counter for the manager has
also been provided. The interior walls have been beautifully decorated with wooden carved
design patterns. Decorative lamps with a vintage look and vitrified floor tiles gives one a
feeling of enjoying food in luxury train.
27. Rolling Stock
The different types of coaches and wagons which were used in narrow gauge are kept for
display. Coaches such as Guard cum second class cum luggage (GSLR), Inspection Carriage
(RB-2), Sleeper Coach (GSCW) and wagons such as Tank wagon (BTP), Timber wagon (BFT),
Covered wagon (BC), Guard Goods Brake Van (PRS), 4 Wheeler open wagon (KC) are
mounted on pedestal. Information with drawings of these rolling stocks have also been
displayed alongside.
13. Play Items for Children
The outside area of building has beautifully landscaped lush green garden. The children have
a great time in amusement area with items such as swings, slides, see-saw etc. which keep
them busy.
