A Visit to Smaranika Tram Museum in Kolkata

It was a beautiful Sunny Sunday Morning and we were supposed to go to China Town for breakfast, but having woke up late, we missed a visit there. But not wanting to waste such a perfect day, we decided to make a visit to the heart of the City of Joy to see "The Tram Museum" I had heard about.

Smaranika (the name of the Tram) in Bengali means memorabilia and it's this very tram that houses the Museum of The Calcutta Tramways Corporation, or CTC and showcases 140 odd years of it's heritage in the form of Models, pictures and various parts and items used by and in the trams over the years.

As most of you know Kolkata remains the only city in India with an operational tram service and it's vast network is disappearing at an alarming rate.

The first tram service in the city was on the 24th of February of 1873, with a horse drawn tram running between Sealdah and Armenian Ghat Street.

The Smaranika tramcar, officially designated CTC-142, was built in 1938, and has been renovated and modified to accommodate a cafeteria in the 1st class compartment, and a tram museum in the rear, 2nd class compartment.

If you're planning a visit, Sunday is the perfect day and you can also park your car in the Parking opposite K.C. Das. Others ways to reach there would be Taxi, Bus or the Metro (Esplanade Metro Station).

This museum is open to the public from 1.00 pm to 8.00 pm on all days except Thursdays with an Entry Fee of Rs. 10/- only.

Recovery Van of the CTC

A Couple of Recovery Vans of the CTC