The Golra Sharif Railway Museum, also known as the Pakistan Railways Heritage Museum, is a railway museum located near Sector F-13 of Islamabad, Pakistan. It is located at the Golra Sharif railway station, a junction station in the Rawalpindi Division of Pakistan Railways, located at 1,994 feet above sea level, in the southeast of the Margalla Hills and east of the cradle of Gandhara civilization, the ancient city of Taxila.
The museum was established in 2003 and renovated in 2018. It consists of two galleries housing the relics and memorabilia associated with more than 150 years of rail heritage dating back to the days of the British Raj.
The museum has a collection of four old locomotives and coaches, two of which are narrow gauge steam engines, while the other two are broad engines. These locomotives and coaches were used on the railways of Pakistan for many years and provide a glimpse into the history of rail travel in the country.
Narrow gauge steam engine
The narrow gauge steam engine is a 0-4-2T locomotive that was built in 1894 by the Hunslet Engine Company of Leeds, England. It was used on the North Western Railway of India, which was the forerunner of Pakistan Railways. The locomotive was retired from service in 1965 and was donated to the museum in 1998.
Broad gauge steam engine
The broad gauge steam engine is a 4-6-0 locomotive that was built in 1920 by the North British Locomotive Company of Glasgow, Scotland. It was used on the North Western Railway of India and Pakistan Railways. The locomotive was retired from service in 1970 and was donated to the museum in 2003.
Coaches
The museum also has a collection of two coaches, one of which is a first class saloon coach and the other is a third class coach. The first class saloon coach was built in 1925 by the North British Locomotive Company of Glasgow, Scotland. It was used on the North Western Railway of India and Pakistan Railways. The coach was retired from service in 1970 and was donated to the museum in 2003.
The third class coach was built in 1930 by the Birmingham Railway Carriage and Wagon Company of Birmingham, England. It was used on the North Western Railway of India and Pakistan Railways. The coach was retired from service in 1975 and was donated to the museum in 2003.
Other exhibits
In addition to the locomotives and coaches, the museum also has a collection of other exhibits, including:
- Signalling equipment
- Photographs and documents
- Railway artifacts such as uniforms, tools, and other items that were used by railway workers
The museum also has an outdoor yard where visitors can see a number of other railway relics, including old locomotives, coaches, cranes, trolleys, and saloons.
The Golra Sharif Railway Museum is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the history of the railways of Pakistan. It is a great place to learn about the people who built and operated the railways, the technology that was used, and the impact that the railways have had on the country.
Visiting the museum
The Golra Sharif Railway Museum is open from 9am to 5pm from Monday to Sunday. The entrance fee is Rs. 50 for adults and Rs. 25 for children.
The museum is located about 10 kilometers from Islamabad and can be reached by taxi or bus. The nearest bus stop is about 500 meters from the museum.
The museum is a great place to visit for families, groups, and individuals of all ages. It is an educational and informative experience that provides a glimpse into the history of the railways of Pakistan.
Here, given below, is a collection of pics of this museum:
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