Baba Bhalku Rail Museum
The Ambala Division of Northern Railway set up a museum at Shimla to preserve the rich heritage of the Kalka - Shimla Railway line.
Balku Ram
Shimla's rail museum has an interesting story behind it. It is named after a local saint by the name of Bhalku Ram (Baba Bhalku to many) who, it is believed, possessed supernatural engineering skills and helped the Britishers in laying down the Kalka - Shimla rail track. As a tribute, the Indian Railway named the museum after him in dedication to his services. This museum depicts the way of life of the Kalka - Shimla Railway line through a collection of extremely rare artefacts accumulated over the decades.
Shimla Railway Station (2018-03-24)Kalka Shimla Railway
The museum was inaugurated on July 2011. A statue of Baba Bhalku is placed at the entrance of the museum.
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Apart from the rare artefacts, the museum also houses old wooden benches and chairs which were put in the restrooms at various stations. The wall clocks that are displayed in the museum were made in England.
Shimla Railway Station (2018-03-24)Kalka Shimla Railway
Several items and parts used in the trains, dating back to early 20th century, are on display. A collection of vintage silver cutlery and fine glassware, including wine glasses and vases are also showcased at the museum.
Shimla Railway Station (2018-03-24)Kalka Shimla Railway
Vintage floral and patterned crockery finds a special spot in the museum.
Shimla Railway Station (2018-03-24)Kalka Shimla Railway
The museum has some interesting excerpts from a lost property register, dated back to 1930. The register has details of the lost properties like bags, umbrellas, caps and coats left in the waiting rooms of the station or the train.
In one interesting lost property mention, there is a letter written by Mumtaz Begum, whose letterhead described her as the 'songstress of Punjab'. She made a request to the Station Master that the Turkish cap of her father that she left behind may kindly be parcelled to her address in Amritsar. The handwritten letter is dated back to August 8, 1930.
Old railway manuals are also preserved at the museum.
Shimla Railway Station (2018-03-24)Kalka Shimla Railway
The museum has a wide collection of seals and labels worn by porters and other staff of the railway. There are also steam locomotive headlights, brass lamps, lanterns and ticket punching machines on display. A rail liner used on the track, dated 1899, is amongst the oldest objects in the museum.
Shimla Railway Station (2018-03-24)Kalka Shimla Railway
Numerous silver spoons, folks and knives are kept at the museum. Looking at the various articles on display, one can get a faint idea of the luxurious and comfortable travel that the elite had the privilege to enjoy during those days on the Kalka - Shimla Railway line.
Shimla Railway Station (2018-03-24)Kalka Shimla Railway
Old cash boxes are kept on display at the museum.
Shimla Railway Station (2018-03-24)Kalka Shimla Railway
A railway official's hat is perched up on the stand with a 'Northern Railway' seal on it.
Shimla Railway Station (2018-03-24)Kalka Shimla Railway
Another main feature of the museum is the Shivalik Palace. Shivalik Palace is a premium express train; like luxury on wheels. It has a deluxe hotel room and a kitchenette. The fare includes meals on board and two retiring rooms. A family or a group of people can book this coach for the onward journey from Kalka to Shimla. There are no stops along the way.
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The Shivalik Palace is meant for a group of six people. The fare is Rs. 8,285 ($124 approximately), for both ways.
Shimla Railway Station (2018-03-24)Kalka Shimla Railway
It has tastefully decorated interiors, folding beds, dining and dressing tables, cushioned chairs, wall clock, temperature-cum-time indicator, fans, fridge, kitchenware, cutlery, crockery, cooking range, music channel, cordless bell, and much more. Indoor games and reading material are also provided.
Hence, the Shivalik Palace is the ultimate luxurious way to travel on wheels, when in Shimla.
