Kolkata Tram Museum is a permanent exhibition centre cum cafeteria run by the Government of West Bengal, Calcutta Tramways Corporation and the City Development Authority of Kolkata.
Calcutta Tramways Corporation has initiated the history of tram operation and history of Kolkata showcasing the 140 years old history of tram and 300 years history of the city in just two coaches, with a cafeteria. This tram car is positioned in the midst of the din and bustle city called Esplanade and the Raj Bhavan.
Location of Kolkata Tram Museum
Kolkata Tram Museum is a tram museum housed inside an actual tram, stationed at the Esplanade Tram Depot. Although tram services were introduced in Mumbai, Madras, Nashik City, Delhi, Patna and Kanpur, Kolkata, but Kolkata is the only city having an operational tram services.
History of Tram in Kolkata
The first tram service in Kolkata was on the 24th of February of 1873, with a horse drawn tram running between Sealdah and Armenian Ghat Street. Madras was the first city to have electric trams, in May of 1895, and the electric tram made its debut in the streets of Kolkata, 5 years later.
Smaranika- The Tram Museum
Smaranika tramcar, which is officially designated as CTC-142, was built in the year 1938 has been renovated and modified to accommodate a museum and cafeteria in the 1st class compartment and the 2nd Class compartment. Smaranika tramcar is completely air conditioned for the tourists with no class divisions. This tram car is a great place for a long, relaxed "adda" in the midst of history. The tram museum housed in the back compartment of Smaranika is cute and fascinating in equal measure. On display are interesting equipment used by the then Calcutta Tramways Corporation and the modern Tram Corporation. One can also find a Coin Exchanger with Punch and Ticket Pockets used during the 1950s by Conductor for giving change of correct denominations to passengers. There are a number of tram models such as the Byomkesh Bakshi Tram Car. A double-bogie wooden tram car of the year 1931 was specially modified at CTC Nonapukur Workshop in the year 2013 for shooting of the Bollywood film.
