Government of India Ministry of Railways

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), affectionately known as the "Toy Train," is a narrow-gauge railway that connects New Jalpaiguri with Darjeeling in West Bengal, India.

The museum was inaugurated and opened for public on 1st February, 1977 by the then Hon’ble Minister of Railways Shri Kamlapathi Tripathi. The museum was renamed as National Rail Museum in October 1995. The museum is spread over 11 acres and is having 91 real size exhibits like different types of steam, diesel & electric locomotives, Royal Saloons, Vintage Cranes, Wagons fireless steam locomotive and John Morris fire engine (1914) with solid rubber tyres in fully road worthy condition. Museum boasts of having the world’s oldest working steam locomotive “Fairy Queen” featuring in Guinnes Book of World Records.(currently homed at Rewari Steam Heritage Centre). National Rail Museum takes pride in having the world’s first steam mono rail using “Ewing System” in fully working condition. About 85% of the exhibits are dated between 1853 - 1950. The indoor gallery has a rich collection of coat of arms, records, miniatures models, badges, old rail tickets, photographs and historical documents promising the visitors an exciting journey into the rich historical heritage of Indian Railways and its contribution to the industrial & economic progress of the country.

PNR Status refers to the current booking status of a train ticket in Indian Railways. Every ticket booked through IRCTC or railway counters is assigned a unique 10-digit Passenger Name Record (PNR) number, which stores passenger and journey details. By checking the PNR status online (via IRCTC website/app, SMS, or other railway portals), passengers can know whether their ticket is Confirmed (CNF), Waitlisted (WL), or RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation). Since seat availability changes with cancellations, checking PNR status helps passengers stay updated about their journey confirmation before travel.

IRCTC eCatering is an online food ordering platform provided by Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) that allows train passengers in India to order meals from restaurants and have them delivered directly to their train seat at selected railway stations during their journey.

Retiring Rooms are lodging facilities provided by Indian Railways at major railway stations for passengers who need short-term rest either before departure or after arrival of their trains. These rooms can be booked online through IRCTC or at station counters, and are available in single, double, or dormitory types with both AC and non-AC options. Passengers with a valid PNR can book them for a minimum of a few hours up to 48 hours, making them a convenient and affordable stay option during travel breaks or layovers.

Train Arrival/Departure service helps passengers track the real-time running status of trains at any station. By entering the train number or station name on the IRCTC website, app, or other railway portals, travelers can know the expected arrival and departure timings, platform number, and any delays or reschedules. This feature is especially useful for planning station pickups, avoiding long waiting times, and staying updated about train movement. It ensures passengers get accurate, live updates before and during their journey.

Rail One is a digital platform developed by the Centre for Railway Information Systems for Indian Railways that provides multiple railway passenger services in one place. It allows users to book tickets, check PNR status, track live train locations, order food, and access grievance services through a single interface.

Kalka Shimla is a historic narrow-gauge railway that connects the town of Kalka with the hill station Shimla. Built in 1903, the route passes through scenic mountains, tunnels, and bridges, offering one of the most beautiful train journeys in India. It is also recognized as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Mountain Railways of India.