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Train Travel
Train Travel The story of the Indian Railways (IR) is not just a saga of mundane statistics and miles of rolling stock. It is the glorious tale of a pioneering institution that has blazed a trail for nearly a century and a half, making inroads into far-flung territory and providing a means of communication.
Till the eighties, that is, when the Indian Railways and Rajasthan Tourism got together to resurrect some of these forgotten symbols of its historic heritage. Thirteen carriages from different princely states were brought together and refurbished, and the Palace on Wheels was launched. A superb train that evoked the past with modern facilities and created a journey that was on offer to people around the world-wannabe princes who could be royals for their week of the journey. Fascinated by the ethereal beauty of the Kanchenjunga, Franklin Prestage, the agent of the Eastern Bengal Railway formulated the plan for Darjeeling Railway in 1878. Construction of the railway line up to Darjeeling was completed by July 1881 and the earliest locomotive came from Atlas Works in Manchester. The Darjeeling Steam Tramway Company, which was formed later, became the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Company in September 1881. 1855.The year when the majestic fairy queen rolled out for the East Indian railway. The engine is probably the oldest working engine in the world. After over 142 years, the fairy queen rolled again on feb.1st 1997 from Delhi. Finding its pride of place in "The Guinness book of world records" and also the national tourism award winner this prestigious pristine beauty, that graces the national rail museum, New Delhi, is running again. The queen with the privileged ones aboard reaches the picturesque town of Alwar in Rajasthan the same day, from where the guests will be taken to Sariska tiger reserve for an overnight stay. The hill railways of India with the narrow tracks zigzagging on what might have once been cart tracks are certainly romantic. An antique steam engine hauls up the train slowly, huffing and puffing all the way. Within a few hours, the train reaches a colorful hill station surrounded by snow-capped peaks, waiting to be conquered. |
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Indian Railway is one of India's most effective networks that keep together the social, economical, political and cultural fabric of the country intact. Be it cold, mountainous terrain or the long stretches through the Rajasthan desert, Indian Railways cover the vast expanse of the country from north to south, east to west and all in between.