Smaranika Tram Museum, Howrah | Timings, Entry Fee, How to Reach

Smaranika Tram Museum, Howrah Overview

The Smaranika Tram Museum, located in Kolkata, is the first of its kind tram museum cum cafe in India. It was inaugurated in 2014 in the Esplanade area to integrate the tram culture of Kolkata with the masses. A two-coach tram has been converted into a museum and an air-conditioned cafe. The Museum was built to celebrate Kolkata’s Tram culture, and it provides archives of the earliest trams and things associated with them. There is a cafe to enjoy some snacks and coffee with the unique experience of sitting in a tram coach.

Inside the Museum

The Tram Museum showcases the century-old tram system of Kolkata and preserves its heritage. There are replicas of old trams like horse-drawn wagons, omnibus and watering trams. Vintage items like old tram tickets passes, coins, Coin-changer machine and conductor caps are at display. One of the tram models, numbered #567 is of the year 1931, redesigned to be featured in the 2013 Bollywood movie ‘Byomkesh Bakshi’.

The Museum also has newspaper clippings of various festivals celebrating tram culture across the globe. There is also a documentary film to enjoy the rich heritage of Kolkata trams. Through this museum, an attempt is made to highlight the importance of trams in Kolkata literature.

Tips for Visitors

Photography and videography are allowed inside the museum.
Other facilities available are drinking water, air-conditioned cafeteria and guided tours to walk you through the history of trams in Kolkata.

History of Trams in Kolkata

Trams have a historical significance in the city of Kolkata and are a major part of the city’s culture. A 1938 tram car was renovated and opened up to the public as a museum and an in-house café to glorify Kolkata’s rich heritage since it’s the only Indian city to have an operating tram system.

Kolkata was introduced to trams as a mode of transport by the British in the 1870s when the first tram to be used was Horse-drawn carriage tram. Later, the tram system was mechanized through the use of steam engines and became a popular mode of transportation.

The first electric tram service was started in Asia in 1902 and the tram was run from Esplanade Tram Depot which makes the location of the museum a special one. Throughout the 20th century, the tram network was expanded first by British then later by the state government of West Bengal.

Today, the CTC (Calcutta Tram Company) operates around 125 tram vehicles spread across the city. In 2013, air-conditioned coaches were introduced. The Smaranika Tram Museum captures this lifeline of the tram system in Kolkata through its exhibits.

Read More on Trams in Kolkata

How To Reach Smaranika Tram Museum

Located in the Esplanade area of Kolkata, at Sido Kanhu Dahar, Maidan, the Tram Museum can be reached by metro or trams. The nearest metro station is Esplanade Metro Station and the nearest tram station is Esplanade Tram Depot.

The nearest airport is Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata which is located at a distance of 25 kms from the tram museum. Local transport like taxi, tram or buses is available to take you to the destination.

The nearest railway station is Howrah, located at a distance of 4 km. It will take you around 15 mins to reach the destination. Taxis and auto rickshaws are easily available.