National Rail Museum

Eccentric is truly the word to use. This museum houses enormous steam engines, vintage monorails, regal locomotives, and royal coaches. Centrally located in Chanakyapuri, the National Rail Museum's open-air galleries practically bleed history, with a hundred life-size, quirky exhibits ranging from carriages and salons to wagons and special-purpose vehicles. Indoors, the galleries showcase artefacts, signalling systems, track models, photographs, and toolkits, alongside audiovisual shows and interactive displays.

Why go to the National Rail Museum?

The star attractions are the Fairy Queen (the world's oldest working steam locomotive!) and the Patiala State Monorail Trainways locomotive. Don't miss the Joy Train ride that loops around the museum grounds; it’s more appealing to adults than you think. Visitors can peek through vintage windows and climb inside bogies dating from the 19th and 20th centuries, or catch a ride at the charmingly designed 'Museum Junction'. Round it off at the IRCTC cafeteria, the perfect feather in a cap for a wholesome day out.

Time Out tip: The museum wraps up earlier than most others in the city, so plan for the day.