Howrah: The Rail Museum near Howrah station has got a makeover over the past four months, making it one of the must-go places in the city.

From a 129-year-old steam loco to a coach of one of the first Metro rakes, all the exhibits have got a facelift.

The open-air museum, spread across five acres off the Foreshore Road connector, less than a kilometre from the station, was opened in 2006. The museum has 19th-century steam locomotives, carriages, salon cars and other vintage exhibits that show how the railways have evolved over the years.

All the exhibits have got a fresh coat of paint. Some of them had broken parts or missing components, which have been replaced. A layer of grass has been laid on the ground and LED lights have been installed.

During the renovation, four items were found lying unkempt. A lathe machine powered by steam engine, more than 100 years old, was one of them. “These items are priceless. Many of them are worthy of a Sotheby’s auction,” a railway official said.

“We plan to turn it into an interactive museum, one that is entertaining, engaging and educational. Our main target will be children. If they come, they will bring adults along,” said Manu Goel, the divisional railway manager of Howrah, who supervised the revamp.
The museum is open from 10.30am to 5.30pm every day, barring Thursday. The authorities plan to extend the closing time.

Pictures by Bishwarup Dutta