On 15th February 2018, the students of class I visited the National Rail Museum located in Chanakyapuri. The museum is home to specimens of the rail heritage of India.
It was a pleasant afternoon and the children were excited. An outdoor visit with classmates always has a special appeal! The children were attentive, excited and asked many questions during the visit.
The objective of visiting the Rail Museum was to show first hand, the aspects of transportation taught in class. Here the children got a graphic idea of how the rail system works and how it helps the country.
The Rail Museum is a unique collection of over 100 life size exhibits of train models used over the generations by the Indian Railways. We also saw working models of landmark stations such as the Lucknow Junction and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Junction, among others. This was a new addition to the museum and the highlight of the excursion, as the children were enthralled to view fast and slow moving miniature trains traversing a network of tracks. Several miniature models of the Kalka Mail, the Shimla Rail, the Matheran Express and saloon carriages used by the Prince of Wales fascinated the students. They curiously observed the different engines and carriages on display. They also viewed the different types of engines-steam, diesel and electric.
[gallery link="none" ids="14107,14108,14109"]After the models, the children were enthralled by the sight of the toy train! They could not contain their excitement as they boarded the train for a joy ride.
All aboard and close the doors. Whistle blows and engine roars. Spinning wheels beginning to grip. These are the sounds as we start our trip! Reminding everyone of the lines from the popular cartoon Thomas and Friends, the toy train, its engine and coaches chuffed through a tunnel as the jubilant students cheered with excitement.
During the excursion, the teachers explained the benefits of rail in our country, chiefly that it is the main form of transport that economically connects the many remote areas of India with all the major towns.
After the joy ride, students explored the Indoor Museum. We walked around the galleries of the museum to view the exhibits. The children closely observed the interiors of vintage carriages. We also got a chance to see specimens of the signal system, new communication techniques, steam engines, etc and finally some specimens of modern gadgetry used in 21st century trains.
Museums offer rich resources for supplementing classroom learning and this excursion was proof of this.
Ms. Neelima Oberoi.
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