Luxury Trains of India are uniquely designed trains which play a significant role in the economy of the country as they are an important segment of the tourism industry. The luxury train travel in India is controlled by Indian Railways along with the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation. Such trains serve the purpose of intimating the passengers with the regal lifestyle of the Indian rulers, the history and the oriental charm of India. These luxury trains offer a wide array of opulence like exquisite bedrooms and dining rooms, richly carved drawing rooms, dimly-lighted antechamber and crystallized bathrooms. Each and every item is looked into meticulously to provide ultimate satisfaction to the travelers. Luxury trains like the Palace on Wheels, Shivalik Deluxe, Shivalik Palace, Fairy Queen and Royal Orient, cover many fascinating historical cities and quaint towns of India.
Palace on Wheels
Palace on Wheels is a train that starts from New Delhi and travels to places like Rajasthan, with special halts at Jodhpur, Jaipur, Sawai Madhopur, Jaisalmer, Chittaurgarh, Udaipur, Bharatpur and Agra.
Ranthambhore National Park, Hawa Mahal (the Palace of Winds), Jag Niwas (Lake Palace), Jag Mandir, City Palace, Keoladeo National Park and Taj Mahal are incorporated in the week-long tour of the train. It offers a spectacular ambience of a royal palace along with modern day amenities. This royal odyssey helps the passengers in staying in the midst of regality, reminiscing the days of Maharajas of Rajasthan. Facilities inside the train are central air conditioning, individual pantry and lounge in every coach, cozy coupes with attached bathrooms, well furnished bar, a special coach exclusively for reading and relaxation, restaurants and interconnected telephone system inside the train.
Shivalik Deluxe
Shivalik Deluxe has also earned repute of being one of the luxury trains of India. It has only one halt at Barog, lying midway between Delhi and Shimla. The train provides all the amenities that are at par with modern day requirements. These include special cabins for couple, reversible chairs with soft cushions, wall carpets, huge glass windows, good toilet facilities, music systems, micro phones for talking and many more. It has a sitting capacity of approximately120.
Shivalik Palace
Shivalik Palace falls in the category of heritage trains of India. Special features include folding beds, large dinning tables with beautiful cushioned chairs, well-decorated lighting system, cordless bell music system, nicely furnished bathrooms, artificial decorative plants, and many more. The train also has arrangements of kitchenware for cooking sumptuous meals. Reading magazines and books at ease and also playing indoor games are possible during the train journey.
Fairy Queen
Fairy Queen is considered to be a prized possession of Indian Railways. It was built in 1855 and is the oldest working steam locomotive in the whole world. It was made functional after being preserved in the National Rail Museum for a couple of years. Thus, it began its journey for a second time. It runs from Delhi to Alwar on selected days. Only about 50 passengers can go on a two-day trip in this train. The train consists of 1st class chair cars and pantry cars.
Royal Orient
Royal Orient was started by the Indian Railways along with Tourist Corporation of Gujarat Limited. The train has 13 coaches and saloons. Multi cuisine restaurant and a bar named "Watering Hole" are the sources of food for the passengers. Exclusive services like 24hr facility of hot and cold water, airy bathrooms and well-furnished cabins, cater well to the passengers needs.
Other Luxury Trains of India
Four other Luxury Trains of India are Deccan Odyssey, Golden Chariot, Maharajas Express and Royal Rajasthan on Wheels.