Tashkent Museum of Railway Equipment, Tashkent

The Tashkent Museum of Railway Equipment, also known as the Museum of Steam Locomotives, is a one-of-a-kind destination in Uzbekistan, located near the Tashkent Northern Railway Station. Opened on August 4, 1989, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first railway in Central Asia, the museum stands as a tribute to the region's rich railway heritage.

This open-air museum, stretching about one kilometer, displays 13 steam engines, 18 diesel, and 3 electric locomotives, along with freight and passenger carriages, repair tools, and construction equipment. The exhibits, made in Russia, Czechoslovakia, Germany, Poland, and the USA, reflect international railway engineering collaboration.

Highlights include the OV Engine 1534 ("The Lamb"), a 1914 steam engine with 700 horsepower and a top speed of 55 km/h, the powerful 3,000-horsepower P 36 ("Victory"), and various railway artifacts like signals, semaphores, radios, badges, and machinist uniforms showcasing railway history.

The museum also houses several carriages converted into mini-museums, featuring detailed exhibits on the Central Asian railway's history, maps of historical rail routes, communication devices, and railway worker memorabilia. Visitors are encouraged to interact with the exhibits by climbing into driver’s cabs, pressing buttons, and exploring the controls.

For a unique experience, guests can enjoy a ride on one of the oldest trains along a 1-kilometer track through the museum's beautifully landscaped grounds. Guided tours provide an in-depth narrative of the technological evolution of railway transport, making the museum an engaging destination for enthusiasts and casual visitors alike.

The Tashkent Museum of Railway Equipment is not only a historical archive but also a celebration of engineering ingenuity, making it a must-visit for those seeking to delve into the fascinating legacy of Uzbekistan's railways.