RailEnquiry

BIKANER: The "Bikana Heritage Rail Museum" openedy for public on Thursday. The rail museum displays equipments, items and documents pertaining to the operation and maintenance of the railways.

Speaking on the occasion divisonal railways manager (DRM), North Westren Railways (NWR) S S Gupta said that the museum was set up for providing information tothe common man as to how and what equipments and items were in use in railway department since last 200 years. He said, "depiction of various items relating to commercial, operation, engineering, electric, electronics (carriage and wagon), signaling departments important for the functioning of the rail network in the country. Setting up of the museum makes for memorable and valuable display of the developmental aspects in the Indian Railways. An example of the development process of the railways can be understood from a painting entitled "Janana Station Bikaner" which depicts Bikaner railway station as ladies station in the year 1920.

At present around 350 items have been displayed in the museum relating to Bikaner and Jodhpur State Railway era, and some of these items were imported from England, US and other countries during State era. Another important item on display is a 'Crane' made in England in the year 1889 which was used for supply of coal in the engine. Similarly a Crew-Rest Van made in the year 1940 has been displayed.

Besides, other items like hand-pumps, water lifting pump, drill machine, ground-light fittings, weighing machine, telecommunication equipments, tool box and hand-held signaling equipments have also been displayed in the museum.