Kacheguda Rail Museum draws visitors with glimpse into Nizam-era railway legacy

The Kacheguda Rail Museum continues to draw visitors by showcasing the evolution of Indian Railways during the Nizam era, featuring rare artefacts, a 1907 steam locomotive, heritage coaches and interactive audio-visual exhibits within the historic Kacheguda station premises.

Hyderabad: The Rail Museum in Kacheguda continues to attract children, history enthusiasts and railway lovers by offering a detailed look into the evolution of Indian Railways, particularly during the Nizam’s rule.

Established in 2015 and managed by the South Central Railway (SCR), the museum operates under the supervision of the Divisional Railway Manager, Hyderabad. It was redeveloped and more attractions were added in 2024 and reopened again.

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Located within the heritage-rich Kacheguda Railway Station premises, the museum highlights the station’s historical importance as the former headquarters of the Nizam’s Guaranteed State Railway. The station itself was constructed in 1916 during the rule of Mir Osman Ali Khan, the seventh Nizam of Hyderabad.

The museum displays a wide collection of archival photographs, vintage signaling equipment, early locomotive and coach models, old railway tickets, and other colonial-era artefacts that trace the growth of the rail network in the region.

One of its key attractions is the ‘Sir Alec’ steam locomotive, manufactured in 1907 by Kitson & Co of Leeds, which stands as a reminder of early railway engineering.

Visitors can also experience an air-conditioned audio-visual lounge that explains the development of railways, focusing on safety systems, security measures and infrastructure such as bridges, pertaining to the history and growth of railways and other short films on various aspects connected to railway.

Enhancing the visitor experience, two air-conditioned metre gauge coaches which were once part of the ‘Heritage on Wheels’ service in Rajasthan, have been placed near the reservation complex.

Surrounded by landscaped greenery and seating areas, the coaches are expected to be converted into a themed dine-in facility soon.

The museum, administered by the Central Government, is open to the public with free entry for passengers holding valid railway tickets, while others can visit for a nominal fee.

The average visit lasts about one to two hours, with mornings being relatively less crowded.