Trains
Mountain Railways of India
A locomotive engine trails up vertical mountains as it carries its trainload of passengers to over 2000 meters uphill. This is no magic, but the ingenious engineering solutions of the Mountain Railways of India. Still operational today, these hill passenger railways crossing regions of great beauty were designed and developed to eradicate the problem of establishing an effective rail link through rugged, mountainous terrains. The Railway lines have served as in social-economic development of the region other than being just another transport medium. Spread across various parts of India the Mountain Railways include:
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway – The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway opened in 1881 and since has been the fastest way uphill to this scenic holiday destination right from the British colonial rule. Nicknamed as the “Toy Train”, it is a 2 ft (610 mm) gauge narrow-gauge railway from Siliguri to Darjeeling in West Bengal . The trip up to Darjeeling on the Himalayan Railway has changed little since that time, and continues to delight travellers and rail enthusiasts.
Nilgiri Mountain Railway – The Nilgiri Mountain Railway, though proposed in 1854, was begun in 1891 and completed in 1908 due to the difficulty of the mountainous location which scales an elevation of 326m to 2,203m. Connecting the town of Mettupalayam with the hill station of Udagamandalam, in the Nilgiri Hills of southern India the Mountain Railway line is the oldest. And it is one of the fewest steam dependent locomotives throughout the world.
Kalka-Shimla Railway – Travel around a mountainous route from Kalka to Shimla with ease. The Kalka-Shimla Railway line gives you the liberty to laze through the scenic landscape as you climb uphill. The train runs through 102 tunnels, and the longest tunnel being Barog. And that’s not all! It runs over 864 bridges, one of which is 60 feet.
Steep Matheran Hill Railway – When Abdul Hussein Adamjee Peerbhoy had a vested interest in building a railway route connecting Neral to Matheran (in the Western Ghats hills near Mumbai), it costed him Rs.16,00,000. Still running on 2 ft (610 mm) narrow gauge the Railway line is the busiest of them all. It makes the perfect escape mode for stressed or solace-seeking urbanites from their mundane schedules. The next time you are in Mumbai do not forget to take a trip up to Matheran and be one with the lush green hill tops.
Luxury Trains of India
Some of the best luxury trains in the world can be found in India. Presenting a variety of lifestyles and heritage, these luxury trains provide a great way to see the landscape:
The Deccan Odyssey
The train showcases the tourism assets of Maharashtra, the grandeur of Konkan coast, the art, culture, the heritage of Maharashtra as well as local arts, crafts and cuisine of the state during the journey. It takes 80 passengers on a tour of the Konkan region, including Goa, and northwestern Maharashtra. It halts at Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Goa, Pune, Aurangabad, (for Ajanta and Ellora) and Nashik. On the itinerary are visits to forts, other historical places, museums, beaches and boat rides in the backwaters.
As the wind whispers through the halo of legends crowning the land of the mighty Marathas, a lone majestic whistle blows its salutation of honour as it gracefully traverses this land of fantastic fantasy. Welcome to the mesmerizing Maharashtra experience aboard the luxurious Deccan Odyssey. The weeklong Deccan Odyssey tour includes several exotic destinations covering the vast expanse of Maharashtra and a pinch of Goa. Experience the finest and the best of train journeys of the world. The Deccan Odyssey is much more than a mere luxury train cruise. It’s a ‘classical odyssey’ of time beyond the realms of the present. Welcome aboard!
Coaches
The Deccan Odyssey has 21 coaches out of which 11 are passenger cars with 4 coupes each. There are 2 Presidential Suite Cars with 2 coupes each car. The train also has two restaurant cars. There is also a lounge/bar car and one surprising addition is a Spa Car.
Tour Highlights
The Deccan Odyssey starts every Wednesday from October till April. The train includes a boat trip to Jaigadh Jetty, Goa, and visit to Ajanta and Ellora caves.
The Golden Chariot
This train named after the famous Stone Chariot in Hampi, a world heritage site, in Southern India will travel through timeless Historical Heritage Sites, Resplendent Palaces, Wildlife and Golden Beaches. It’s 7 Nights / 8 Days colorful journey begins every Monday from Bangalore and traverses through Mysore, visiting Srirangapatna, Mysore Palace; the Nagarhole National Park (Kabini) and continuing to the historical sites of Shravanabelagola, Belur-the 11th century cradle of Hoysala architecture and a world heritage site, Halebidu, Hampi and thereafter entering into the triangular heritage site of Badami, Pattadakal, Aihole, and finally the Golden Beaches of Goa before ending in Bangalore.
Coaches
The Golden Chariot has eleven fully air-conditioned passenger cars. Each Coach of the “The Golden Chariot” has been named after the dynasties that ruled Karnataka – Kadamba, Hoysala, Rastrakota, Ganga, Chalukya, Bhahamani, Adhilshahi, Sangama, Shathavashna, Yudukula and Vijayanagar. The train offers 26 twin beds, 17 double bed cabins and 1 cabin for the physically challenged. Every cabin is equipped with Wi-Fi, LCD television, DVD with 6 satellite channels, wardrobe, vanity/writing desk and private bathroom with luxurious amenities and accessories.
The Golden Chariot also has two restaurants and a lounge bar for onboard dining.
Tour Highlights
The train includes visits to Bangalore, Mysore, Kabini wildlife nature park, temples in Belur and Halebid, World Heritage Sites of Hampi and Badami and Goa.
The Palace on Wheels
The name “Palace-on-Wheels” (POW) was derived from its royal back-ground of the coaches. The passenger coaches which were originally meant to be the personal railway coaches of the erstwhile rulers of princely states of Rajputana, Gujarat, the Nizam of Hyderabad and the Viceroy of British India. These coaches were not being used by the Indian Railways after independence in normal passenger trains on account of very rich and traditional interiors.
A new meter gauge air conditioned Palace-on-Wheels was introduced in 1984 & had 13 Saloons, 2 Restaurant cum Kitchen car, one Bar cum Lounge and 4 Service Cars. A new broad gauge Palace-on-Wheels has been constructed & has been running since 1996. It’s 14 Saloons are inter-connected, the interiors of the saloons reflect the aesthetics of the former Royal states of Rajasthan. The exquisite and exclusive Palace on Wheels has luxurious Cabins, wall to wall carpeting, a well stocked bar, two dining cars (The Maharaja and Maharani) and a very personalized service… in fact, almost everything that could comprise of heaven on earth for seven days !
Tour Highlights
The Palace on Wheels starts its journey every Wednesday from September till April. The train includes sightseeing in Jaisalmer, Udaipur and a visit to the magnificent Taj Mahal.
Heritage on Wheels
The Heritage on Wheels is a luxury tourist train on meter gauge enroute to the unexplored regions of Bikaner and Shekhawati, famous beholders of the Heritage of Rajasthan. No other region in India, or perhaps, even in the world, has such a large concentration of high quality frescoes as the region of Shekhawati. No school of painting thrived till history and circumstances took up this colorless page and made it blossom with art for almost two centuries – from 1750 to 1930. Today, this region is commonly called this ‘open-air art gallery of Rajasthan’.
Coaches
The Heritage on wheels comprises of 14 coaches including one restaurant and a bar lounge. The train is fully air-conditioned. However, there would be no facility of attached toilets in the cabin. In every coach there are two toilets shared by four cabins occupants.
Tour Highlights
The train includes a visit to Jaipur, Gajner Palace Sanctuary and visits to the Shekhawati region.
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