The Rail Museum at Kacheguda, Hyderabad, run by the South-Central Railway spans over 250 sq m and was opened in 2015 to showcase the origin and growth of the railways in India. It functions under the charge of the Divisional Railway Manager of Hyderabad. Kacheguda was chosen as the location of the Museum because of the heritage value of this Railway Station, built in 1916 by Mir Osman Ali Khan, the seventh Nizam as the then headquarters of Nizam’s Guaranteed State Railway.

The Museum has photographs of the growth of the rail network dating all the way back to the Nizam’s rule, the inauguration of Kacheguda station and exhibits from the colonial era, including signalling equipment, prototypes of locomotives and coaches, tickets and working models. A highlight of the Museum is an exclusive air-conditioned lounge with audio-visuals on the history and growth of railways and other related aspects that includes security, safety, bridges and the like. A special attraction at the museum is the ‘Sir Alec’ Steam Locomotive built in 1907 by Kitson & Co, Leeds, apart from several brass emblems and frames from railway history.

In addition to the Rail Museum, two air-conditioned metre gauge coaches which were used to run the ’Heritage on Wheels’ trains in Rajasthan have been set up abutting the reservation complex at Kacheguda. Amidst a green expanse, seating areas with canopies have been set up and the coaches are soon to be repurposed as a dine-in restaurant. Entry to the Museum is free for passengers with railway tickets, while there is a nominal entry free for other visitors.