Joshi's Museum of Miniature Railway
Even during his childhood, Bhau used to build “Killas” with a lot of movements, like a fire engine which used to actually put out a fire, moving cars on roads etc. These were controlled by strings. The houses etc. were made of cardboard. There used to be long queues to see these Killas, which were famous in his neighbourhood. In the 1980’s he started work on a layout which, he visualised, could be taken from town to town like a circus or fair. This layout, which was the result of a 40 year obsession, was first displayed in Pune at the “Gokhale Hall” in 1982 and was a huge success. In 1984 the layout was displayed in Bombay and in 1986, in Pune at ” Dastur High School “. From these three experiences it was found that to make it a mobile layout, required too much man power and expenditure, to the detriment of regular activity at Soudamini Instruments. The permissions etc. required at each location were very frustrating. Thus he took the decision of creating a permanent Museum of Miniature Railways . Once this decision was taken the entire concept of the layout changed. Since it was no longer necessary to dismantle the layout, much more detailed work could be done. The hall was constructed in 1991 and the present layout was created, which was opened to the public on 1 st April 1998 . The work and dedication behind this layout can be appreciated by fellow rail modellers. There are nearly 1000 wires coming out of the control panel, adding to a length of 5 km. There are 65 signals, fences, lampposts, flyovers etc. which have been manufactured by hand, using chemical etching techniques. The control panel has been designed so that the entire layout can be operated manually or can be computer controlled. All this has been achieved due to the single minded devotion and hard work of one man, Bhau Joshi.
What is the purpose of exhibiting this layout?
Even though the factory, Soudamini Instruments, has been in existence for more than 30 years, while the museum has just been completed, the fact is that the concept of the factory has arisen from the dream of the museum. Before Soudamini was started Bhau Joshi was considering the manufacture of model trains, but he realised that the market was non existent. So he started Soudamini. It was his interest in model trains that led him to become an expert in all things mechanical, which was the base of the factory.
It is this concept that he wished to emphasize, through the propagation of railway modelling as a hobby, among the budding engineers and scientists of the new generation. This is the only hobby which spans varied branches of science. Architecture, civil engineering, electrical engineering, computer engineering, physics, chemistry, mathematics, statistics even accounting and photography find some link with this hobby. Thus cultivating this hobby brings about an understanding of all these subjects, creating a multidisciplinary personality.
This is not a hobby for children, but is in fact an adult hobby.
At the Museum we would like to see children accompanied by adults, rather than children coming alone. It is the new generation of college going adults who should cultivate this hobby, which will be immensely useful to them in real life.
Visiting Hours:
Monday 9.30 am to 5.00 pm
Tuesday 9.30 am to 5.00 pm
Wednesday 9.30 am to 5.00 pm
Thursday 9.30 am to 1.00 pm
Friday 9.30 am to 5.00 pm
Saturday 9.30 am to 4.00 pm
Closed on:
Sunday and Public Holidays
Entry Fees:
Rs. 80/- Per Head
How To Reach:
17/1 B/2 G.A. Kulkarni Road, Next to Sangam Press,
Kothrud, Pune – 411038.
