Golra station offers glimpse of subcontinent’s rail history

Heritage museum home to 150-year-old locomotives

RAWALPINDI:

Nestled in the midst of banyan trees that are over a hundred years old, the historic railway station at Golra is a reminder of the rich heritage of subcontinental railways. This architectural marvel situated on the outskirts of Islamabad is now home to a railway museum that depicts the remarkable journey of Pakistan's rail system, preserving artefacts dating back to its inception.

Originally known as the Great Indian Peninsula Railway Station, as it was called during the British Raj, was constructed in 1881. The imposing Victorian architecture, fashioned from lovely yellow stone, captivates visitors even to this day.

Although it currently serves as a vital junction for Pakistan Railways' Peshawar, Kohat, Havelian, and Multan routes, it once played a pivotal role in transporting British military equipment during the colonial era.

It was renamed the Golra Sharif railway station after Pir Meher Ali Shah of Golra Sharif, who was said to have taken his evening walks there.

Today, the station is popular for the heritage museum that was established in 2003. The brainchild of the former divisional superintendent, Ashfaq Khattak, the museum houses an extensive collection of artefacts and historical resources that paint a vivid picture of the railway industry's growth.

For history enthusiasts, the museum's treasures offer a delightful experience. Visitors can marvel at sculptures, including railway lifeboats and security guard uniforms, which bear witness to the passage of time.

Among the most cherished exhibits are the saloons once used by prominent figures like Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father, and Lord Louis Mountbatten, the last viceroy of the subcontinent.

As visitors explore the museum's corridors, they encounter the extraordinary Saloon Number 38, a masterpiece crafted by a distinguished British manufacturer and once utilized by viceroy.

Its interior reveals a glimpse into the opulence of the past, complete with a kitchen, conference room, drying room, and lavatory – all meticulously preserved.

The saloon associated with Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah remains untouched, preserving its original state. It offers an intimate look into the life of the great leader, featuring his personal effects, such as his bed, chair, bathroom, and old-style fans.

The museum is a treasure trove of railway history, boasting early messaging telephones, tele-printers, kerosene lamps for station illumination, vintage engine spare parts, and models of the first coach engines.

Notably, it also showcases the railway guard's security firearms dating back to 1863 and the tools from the historic railroad hospital.

Since its inauguration, the museum has attracted tourists from all corners of the country, including diplomats and students on educational excursions. Shehryar, an assistant at the museum gallery, proudly shares that visitors leave with a profound understanding of the railway's journey – from its inception to its current state of development.

As you step into the Golra station museum, you embark on a captivating journey through time, experiencing 150 years of railway history in all its glory.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, July 24^th, 2023.