The Museum was formally opened for the public on 1st Feb 1977. It functions under the Ministry of Railways, Government of India. The National Rail Museum is the 1st Rail Transport Museum of India. This museum is dedicated to the glorious history of 160 years of the Indian Railways. The foundation stone of the museum was laid by then President of India Late Shri. V.V. Giri. in 1971. This museum was the brainchild of the railway officials, who believed the history of Railways, must be narrated & displayed to the future generation. The museum is in two parts: Indoor gallery and Outdoor Gallery. Indoor Gallery is in hexagonal shape displaying miniatures, original loco parts, wooden furniture, and crockery etc. Currently this gallery is closed for renovation and reorganization.

About the collection: The museum houses 90 life size real exhibits of steam, diesel & electric locomotives, saloons, wagons, coaches, cranes, scale-models saloons, wagons, coaches, cranes, scale models and equipment related to the Railways. This unique museum has a fascinating and exotic collection of over 100 real size exhibits of Indian Railways. Static and working models, signaling equipment, antique furniture, historical photographs and related literature. The line-up of old coaches includes the Prince of Wales Saloon, built in 1875, the Maharaja of Mysore’s Saloon built in 1899 with its brocade covered chairs and an elegant rosewood bed.

The major attraction here is the Fairy Queen, built in 1855 and considered to be one of the best preserved steam locomotive engines of her age. With a stature of the National Rail museum, it has the PSMT, John Morris fire engine which is still in working condition. With its unique and one of a kind collections in the world, the mention of DHR 777B,O&RR saloon model (scale) becomes inevitable