RAIL TOURISM (LUXURY TRAIN JOURNEY)

RAIL TOURISM (LUXURY TRAIN JOURNEY)

Dr Gour Kanjilal 
[ Author And Tourism Represtitive Government Of India ]

Indian Railways, the largest of its kind in the world, with a workforce of about 1.6 million employees, is regarded as the lifeline of India and its fast-growing economy. Daily, about 13 million passengers benefit directly from this huge network of 62,800 route kms. The last two years have witnessed considerable improvements in various areas, including passenger amenities, the number of luxury trains, extension of services, and indigenous technology.

A strong tourism strategy with more use of ICT will soon find its place in the system through dedicated tourist trains, rail coaches, and regular trains on sectors developed by tour operators and agencies. As part of its long-term strategy towards organizational reforms and restructuring, Indian Railways (IR) has made serious attempts to induct professionalism into its stream and diversify its peripheral areas of operation connected to its core business of transport.

The Ministry of Railways has taken several important initiatives for the promotion of tourism. These include plans for the introduction of new tourist train services on popular tourist circuits in different regions of the country to offer one-week, fully packaged rail travel itineraries inclusive of travel accommodation, catering on board and on the ground, and conducted sightseeing tours at the destination.

Three tourist trains have already been introduced – “The Royal Orient” in Gujarat from 1st February 1995, “The Palace on Wheels” in Rajasthan from 13th September 1995, and “The Deccan Odyssey” in Maharashtra from 16th January 2014. These trains are being operated in collaboration with the Tourism Development Corporation of the concerned states.

PALACE ON WHEELS

Palace on Wheels, a luxury train that carries with it an ambience of the Rajputana era and an exciting fairytale journey, takes the visitor to the imperial cities of Rajasthan every single day. The coaches also carry an image of the Rajput states with beautiful interiors. “Royal Treats” for the passengers on board include saloons, bar lounges and libraries in every coach, as well as restaurants and organized shopping facilities. The train is fully vestibule, centrally air-conditioned, completely self-sufficient, and comprises 14 saloons.

FAIRY QUEEN

Fairy Queen comes out of the treasure chest of Indian Railways. Built in the year 1855, this 148-year-old locomotive is the oldest working steam locomotive in the world. The Fairy Queen takes tourists on an unforgettable two-day weekend trip from Delhi to Alwar on selected days. The train consists of just one first-class chair car and a pantry car, all majestically hauled by the fabled Fairy Queen. The chair car can accommodate 60 passengers.

The two-day trip includes departure from Delhi Cantt. Railway Station at 10.00 hrs. on Day 1, reaching Alwar at 16.00 hrs. on the same day. The night stay is at Tiger Den Hotel (near Alwar), from where the tourists are taken around the tiger sanctuary the next morning.

The Fairy Queen has been featured in the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest running steam engine.

SHIVALIK DELUX

Introduced on the lines of Shatabdi Express, this train has only one stop at Barog. The journey time is about 4 hrs. 45 mins. The amenity fittings match modern times – wall-to-wall carpet, wide glass windows, reversible cushioned chairs, improved toilet facilities, a cabin for couples, tables for meals, tube lights, a music system, and microphones for communication with the guard.

With a seating capacity of 120, it connects the Howrah-Kalka Mail. The fare is Rs. 280/- per ticket either way between Kalka and Shimla. Breakfast is served in the up direction and dinner in the down direction.

MAHARAJA'S EXPRESS

The Maharaja's Express was launched in 2012 by Indian Railways and is among the most expensive luxury trains in Rajasthan. Although built recently, it has won a number of awards due to the excellent onboard accommodation and services, along with the off-train excursions.

The Maharaja's Express was voted “The World's Leading Luxury Train” at the World Travel Awards 2012 and had bagged the runner-up position in the Specialists Train Operator Category during the Condé Nast Traveller's Readers' Choice Travel Award in 2011.

It was also named among the top twenty-five trains by the Society of International Railway Travellers in 2011. This fascinating express train covers five routes in North-Western and Central India. The journey is usually concentrated on Rajasthan and takes place every year from October to April.

ROYAL RAJASTHAN ON WHEELS

The Royal Rajasthan on Wheels is a Rajasthan luxury train and is modelled on the Palace on Wheels train. The Royal Rajasthan on Wheels was launched in January 2009, after the Palace on Wheels became a huge success.

The train follows the same route as the Palace on Wheels and takes tourists to several tourist, heritage, and wildlife destinations in Rajasthan.

Like the Palace on Wheels, this train too has exquisite interiors, great meals, excellent wines, and fabulous service by uniformed Khidmatgars. The Royal Rajasthan on Wheels follows a very interesting route through Rajasthan, and the journey begins and ends in New Delhi.

THE INDIAN MAHARAJA – DECCAN ODYSSEY

The Indian Maharaja – Deccan Odyssey is a special luxury train that is run by Indian Railways and the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation. This train is based on the Palace on Wheels and covers the Konkan route.

It undertakes a week-long journey every Wednesday from Mumbai and covers destinations such as Aurangabad, Udaipur, Sawai Madhopur, Jaipur, Agra, and Delhi.

The Indian Maharaja is a more luxurious version of the Deccan Odyssey and passes through Rajasthan on its way from Mumbai to Delhi.

ROYAL ORIENT

Travel with the Spirit of Royalty and Indian history. A journey through two of India's most bewitching states, Gujarat and Rajasthan – states rich with dynastic and cultural history. The region has seen some of the most ferocious battles and courageous kings in Indian history. It offers travellers a close encounter with the oriental mystique. Now discontinued.

HILL TRAINS

The hill trains offer comforts and luxury unmatched by conventional trains. The popular trains in India are: Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, the Kangra Valley Railway, Kalka-Shimla Railway, Nilgiri Mountain Railway, and Matheran Light Railway.

The World Heritage Listings-Sites in India have approved the 82-kilometre-long Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) in West Bengal as a World Heritage Railway.

The Ministry of Railways has accorded priority to restoring and preserving the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) for the promotion of Heritage Rail Tourism in India. The General Manager, Northeast Frontier Railway, Guwahati, has been directed to take immediate action for better maintenance of track, coaches, and station buildings, and operations of the Darjeeling Hill Railway in keeping with international standards.

The General Manager has also been asked to set up a computerized passenger reservation counter at Darjeeling. DHR is part of this railway.

The Darjeeling Hill Railway was the first Hill Railway built in India. It took two years to build the 82-kilometre, two-foot-track narrow-gauge line. This railway line was completed in 1881. It zigzags over deep ravines and precipices, taking sharp curves and rising over steep inclines. It reaches a height of 7,000 feet.

The unique feature of this railway is that there is no tunnel on this railway. The need for tunnels was completely obviated by means of loops and reverses. Thousands of tourists regularly travel on this railway, particularly during the summer months.

TOY TRAINS

Toy trains are another attraction for tourists. The popular toy trains in India, mainly operated by hill train companies, are: the Shimla Toy Train, the Darjeeling Toy Train, the Nilgiri Toy Train, and the Matheran Toy Train.

RAIL MOTOR CAR

The Deluxe Rail Motor Car provides an exciting journey between Kalka and Shimla in 4 hrs. 25 mins. The fare of Rs. 360/- includes onboard catering.

TORCH BEARERS

The Rajdhani, Shatabdi, and Konkan Railways are the face of Indian Railways.

INDIA RAIL TOURS

• North India Tours by Rail
• Rajasthan Tour by Train
• Rajasthan with Nepal on Train
• Delhi-Jaipur-Agra Tour by Train
• Taj Mahal with Khajuraho on Train
• Train Trip to North-West India
• Golden Triangle Tours by Rail
• Kerala Tour by Train
• India Nepal Tour by Rail
• Rajasthan Train Tour
• South India Rail Tour
• Rajasthan Rail Vacation
• West India Rail Tour
• West India Train Tour
• Aurangabad Caves by Train
• Goa Tours by Train
• Central India Tours by Rail
• India Train Tour
• West India Travel by Train
• West India Tours by Rail
• Golden Triangle India by Train
• South-West India Travel by Train

INDRAIL PASSES

To explore the splendour of multi-faceted India, Indrail passes provide excellent value for money and enhance the charm of holidays for visitors from abroad. Indianrail passes (IRP) offer visitors on a budget the facility of travelling as they like over the entire Indian Railways system, without any route restrictions within the period of validity of the pass.

These passes can only be purchased by foreign nationals and NRIs on payment in US dollars, pounds sterling, and other convertible foreign currencies.

The pass holder is not required to pay any reservation fee, superfast charge, or surcharge for the journey. The Indrail passes have now been made more attractive for transit and short-stay visitors. The passes are now available for half a day, two days, and four days also, for the convenience of visitors arriving by international flights and visiting only one or two connecting destinations.

Indrail passes are sold through General Sales Agents abroad in Australia, Bangladesh, Finland, Germany, Malaysia, Oman, South Africa, UAE, UK, Maldives, Thailand, and Nepal.

Indian Airlines also sell Indrail passes through their overseas outlets at Bahrain, Kuwait, and Colombo. Air India has also been authorized as the General Sales Agent for the sale of Indrail Passes through their overseas outlets.

In India, Indrail Passes are available for sale at tourist bureaus at major railway stations. Certain recognized travel agents are also authorized to sell these passes in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai.

Dr Gour Kanjilal 
[ Author And Tourism Represtitive Government Of India ]