Hilton Station Railway Museum
AVAILABLE: Family Friendly | Coffee Shop | Vintage Ice-Cream Shop | OPEN: Monday – Sunday | MORE INFO: Museum Website | Facebook Page | Phone +27 (0)83 278 1490
Introduction
Nestled north of Pietermaritzburg on the original N G R mainline, the Hilton Station Railway Museum is a must-visit for railway enthusiasts and history buffs alike. This historical station, built in 1888, is the only one of its kind left on the original mainline, and it houses a fascinating museum that showcases the rich history of railways in South Africa.
About the Museum
The Hilton Station Railway Museum consists of the main station building and goods sheds. The station has a slightly curved platform, which adds to its charm.
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The main building houses the museum, which is filled with interesting artifacts, exhibits, and information about the history of railways in South Africa. Visitors can see and learn about locomotives, coaches, and other railway equipment from a bygone era.
Station Stop Coffee Shop
Visitors can take a break from exploring the museum and enjoy a delicious cup of coffee and a range of tasty treats at the Station Stop Coffee Shop. In addition to their amazing coffee, the coffee shop serves up mouth-watering food items like muffins, cakes, and toasted sandwiches on ciabatta and sourdough. The coffee shop’s outdoor seating area provides a peaceful and safe environment for parents and grandparents to relax and enjoy, while the giant steam locomotives serve as jungle gyms for children to play and imagine on.
Moo-Moos Ice Cream
The station’s old storeroom has been converted into Moo-Moos Ice Cream shop. This vintage ice-cream shop serves a variety of artisanal ice-creams with flavors like Fudge Yum, Cookie Crush, Honey Comb and Nougat, Chocolate Mousse, and Candied Almonds, to name a few, that will taunt the tastebuds of children of every age! Visitors can also order their favorite Flake 99 or another soft-serve treat of their choice. Milkshakes are also available.
Fat Pig Smokehouse
For those who love meat, the Fat Pig Smokehouse is also a must-visit. They use old school techniques to make the best sausages possible. Visitors can sit down and enjoy the difference in taste and quality of their products, which include sausages, cured meats, cold meats, cured sausage, and more.
Interesting Facts
- Hilton Station was once home to locomotives nos. 15F 3052 – 19D 2269 – S2 3778- GF 2380.
- However, all that remains are locos No 329 + 314 H2’s – NBT ERPM No. 6, 696 19AR – 1402 19B – 1963 15AR – 1276 1 Class plus 36Ton Cowan Sheldon crane.
- The station yard consists of the mainline and 2 loops, plus a couple of dead end lines.
- There is still 2 kilometers of mainline remaining towards Sweetwater’s and in the opposite direction towards Cedara, a distance of five and a half kilometers, where the line joins the current main Durban to Johannesburg line.
Photo Gallery
Physical Location
Tourist Experiences
Make a trip of it and visit some of the other recommended museums, tourist attractions and experiences in the area.
Conclusion
The Hilton Station Railway Museum is a fascinating and educational experience for the whole family. Visitors can learn about the history of railways in South Africa, enjoy delicious food and drinks, and even indulge in some artisanal sausages and meats. With its rich history and unique charm, the Hilton Station Railway Museum is a must-visit for anyone interested in South Africa's railway heritage.