[1] PRA was originally established as a training school for the employees of the North Western State Railway in Lyallpur (now Faisalabad) in January 1925.

Walton, who was the general manager of the North-Western State Railway at the time.

In 1954, the United Nations Regional Railway Training Centre was established by ECAFE (now ESCAP) at PRA.

In 1983, the school was renamed Directorate of Research & Training by merging several institutions.

The academy spreads over 31.16 hectares (77.0 acres) of land, including, 4.45 hectares (11.0 acres) area which houses 35 classrooms, 12 model rooms and labs, auditorium, library and 9 hostels.