PR to preserve cultural heritage , says Minister
By Ali Imran

ISLAMABAD—Pakistan Railways has embarked on a modest programme of preservation and display of Golra Railway heritage, which is losing its beauty and importance due to lack of attention by the authorities concerned. The Golra Sharif railway station, at 1994 feet above sea level, is situated in the south east of the Margalla Hills.
The station is ten minutes drive from the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi and lies at a distance of 17 kilometres, east, of the ancient City of Taxila, the cradle of Ghandahara civilization. A majority of the items displayed at the museum belong to the North West Railways, as Pakistan Railways was called before independence, dating back to year 1890.
The attempt is to preserve and display vintage items and artifacts related to the history of railways at the Heritage Point. Items on display outside the museum include a hand pump of 1901, and a ‘Heritage Special Train’, driven by an ancient steam engine accompanied by passenger coaches.
In the museum hall, there are rare items on display including watches, pendulums, kerosene tilly-lamps, gate signal lamps, crockery, fans, arms and ammunition, surgical items used at railway hospitals, a 1904 hand pump, long armed chairs used in waiting rooms and Dak bungalows, a Railway time table of 1943 and historic photographs. The 110-year old narrow gauge steam locomotive, steam cranes, 100-year-old hand crane, saloons, passenger and freight coaches. The saloon was said to belong to the Viceroy-e-Hind but no name was mentioned on it.
An interesting fact about the 110-year-old steam engine is that, it was in regular use, as early as 1990 and was still in running condition. The narrow gauge steam engine was run on the less frequent lines. A display model of the lane changing and up and down signal had also been installed. Different kinds of hand railway carts were also put on display and would offer a unique photo-moment to picnickers.
Golra Junction Railway Museum wonderfully chronicles the history of rail travel in our part of the world. The logic for establishing a Heritage Museum at Golra Railway Station was attributed as a first step towards establishing a full fledged railway station in Islamabad. A steam safari ride to the major tourist attraction, the ancient city of Taxila on alternate days is also on cards in near future.
Golra Sharif is the eternal abode of Pir Mehr Ali Shah, a renowned Muslim saint, who preached equality, brotherhood and fraternity. Mehar Express, train named after him, continues to run through the junction. The stations was established when the 73km line from Rawalpindi to Lawrencepur was opened in 1881. The junction station was established in 1882, connecting Taxila and Peshawar, on one side and Mianwali, and Multan on the other with Rawalpindi.