Tucked away in the heart of Kothrud, Pune, lies a treasure trove that captures the charm of locomotives on a miniature scale — Joshi’s Museum of Miniature Railways. This one-of-a-kind museum, the only one of its kind in India, stands as a living legacy of one man’s unwavering dream: Mr. B. S. Joshi, affectionately known as Bhau Joshi.
For thousands of visitors who have marveled at the tiny trains gliding through elaborate landscapes, the museum is nothing short of magical. But beyond the flickering signals and winding tracks lies a story of passion, innovation, and three generations carrying forward a legacy built on love for the railways.
Bhau Joshi’s fascination with trains began early in childhood — an era when collecting model trains was more than just a hobby; it was a window into distant worlds. In the 1980s, driven by this lifelong passion, Bhau began crafting a model railway layout he could take “on tour,” much like a traveling circus or fair. He envisioned showcasing the marvels of miniature railways across Indian towns and cities.
But transporting and operating such a setup proved far more complex than imagined. The logistics, manpower, and costs were unsustainable. Instead of letting the dream fade, Bhau made a bold decision: to build a permanent museum in Pune where the magic could be preserved for generations. In 1991, the museum layout found its forever home inside a specially constructed hall within the premises of Soudamini Instruments, the company Bhau had founded decades earlier.
This marked the beginning of a quiet revolution in Indian railway modeling.
Every inch of the layout inside Joshi’s Museum is a testament to meticulous craftsmanship. Hundreds of wires snake out from a custom-designed control panel, giving life to over 65 signals, operational flyovers, lampposts, and etched fences. Much of the equipment was built using chemical etching techniques, an uncommon approach in hobby modeling.
The system can be run both manually and via computer control — a feature rarely seen even in international exhibitions. For visitors, watching the trains move through carefully designed towns, bridges, and tunnels is mesmerizing. But for the Joshi family, it is also an intricate orchestration of mechanical, electrical, and artistic excellence.
Over the years, the museum has welcomed more than 30,000 visitors annually, becoming a staple in Pune’s tourism scene. What began as a childhood obsession became a source of wonder for children, students, and railway lovers across India.
To Bhau Joshi, this was never just about model trains. He believed that railway modeling could shape minds — that it was a gateway into the sciences, engineering, architecture, and beyond. The discipline of building and running a miniature railway demands a knowledge of civil and electrical engineering, physics, mathematics, statistics, accounting, and even photography.
It is this multidisciplinary nature of the hobby that Bhau hoped to instill in India’s youth. The museum wasn’t only for showcasing; it was for inspiring.
This educational philosophy continues to define the mission of the museum today — a mission beautifully described in a previous article commemorating its 27th anniversary, where the journey of the museum was explored through its milestones and moments of joy.
While the museum attracts attention, it is Soudamini Instruments, founded in 1962 by Bhau himself, that provided the technical and infrastructural backbone for this grand vision. Under his leadership, the company built not just equipment, but a culture of precision and creativity that supported his love for modeling.
Today, Soudamini Instruments has grown far beyond its initial scope — producing custom model trains, industrial layouts, and supplying not only the Indian Railways and local hobby markets but also exporting to Switzerland and Australia.
After Bhau’s passing, the dream did not end. In fact, it evolved. His son, Dr. Ravi Joshi, inherited more than just a business — he inherited a purpose.
With a scientist’s mind and an artist’s sensibility, Dr. Ravi expanded the model-making operations of Soudamini Instruments into a thriving business, delivering training models to Indian Railways and creating interactive traffic model rooms in Goa and Karnataka. He also designed a new railway museum at the Mapro Food Court in Wai, a state-of-the-art attraction that blends education with entertainment.
Where Bhau laid the tracks, Dr. Ravi built new destinations.
The legacy now flows into a third generation. Dr. Ravi’s son, Devavrat Joshi, has formally joined the Soudamini team, bringing with him both an engineering degree and a year-long internship with PIKO GmbH, a renowned German manufacturer of model trains.
His entry signals a new era of growth and innovation. Under Devavrat’s initiative, Soudamini has become an authorized PIKO service center in India, and plans are already underway to manufacture accurate, India-specific railway models using cutting-edge 3D printing technologies.
For the Joshi family, what started as a childhood passion is now a multi-generational legacy, blending tradition with technology, nostalgia with new frontiers.
In a rapidly digitizing world, hands-on hobbies like model railroading may seem quaint or even old-fashioned. But the story of Bhau Joshi and his museum reminds us of something essential — that great dreams don’t always start with capital or commercial intent. Sometimes, they begin with a small engine, a strip of track, and a child’s curiosity.
His work proves that passion, when nurtured with patience and purpose, becomes legacy.
Moreover, in India — a country with one of the largest railway networks in the world — Bhau Joshi created a miniature universe that honors that heritage, that machinery, that rhythm of movement which has connected people and places for generations.
Whether you’re a train lover, a hobbyist, a student of engineering, or a family looking for something unique in Pune, Joshi’s Museum of Miniature Railways offers an unforgettable experience. From the moment the lights dim and the show begins, you’re transported into a world where time slows down, and childhood wonder takes over.
In today’s fast-moving world, places like this are not just attractions — they are sanctuaries. Sanctuaries where stories are told, imaginations are sparked, and legacies are passed on.
As the museum looks toward the future — through new museums, international collaborations, and a rising third generation — one thing is clear: Bhau Joshi’s dream still runs on time.
To learn more, visit the official website at minirailways.com and plan your visit to this miniature marvel nestled in Pune’s vibrant Kothrud.
All aboard the legacy of a man who made miniature railways a mighty dream.
