Indian Railways Vintage Steam Express Train is Set to Chug Again to Ferry Tourists to Tiger-City of Alwar

Once again the steam tourist train consisting of two coaches hauled by steam engine, named ‘Akbar’ is all set to commence its package tour between Delhi and Alwar in current season from tomorrow i.e. 26^th October, 2013. The 48 year-old steam engine ‘Akbar’ which will haul this train is one of the last surviving vintage steam locomotives and was manufactured at Chittranjan Locomotive Works.   The loco has been named after the great Mughal emperor of the same name. This Pacific class of Broad Gauge loco is capable of speeds up to 110 kmph and used to haul prestigious express trains.  After remaining many years out of service, ‘Akbar’ Loco was restored, overhauled and reclaimed in full working condition at the Amritsar workshop of Northern Railway in October 2012.  Amritsar Workshop has acquired unique distinction of being the only workshop of Indian Railway which is rehabilitating ‘steam’ locos and carrying out Periodic Overhaul of these locos. 

            The engine was recently in news with its use in the famous film ‘Bhag MilkhaBhag’ – A film portraying famous Indian runner, Shri Milkha Singh. The steam engine hauled train takes us to nostalgic scenario of rhythmic chugging and whistling in the form of quintessential chhuk-chhuk and synchronised throw of black smoke from steam loco. RewariSteam Locomotive heritage shed of the Northern Railway is the home of this Loco. 

            This tourist steam train starts from Delhi Cantonment Station of the capital and travels to Alwar (138 kms) in Rajasthan via Rewari on a tour package which includes a visit to the Sariska National Park near Alwar. This will give opportunity to the tourists for tiger sighting at Sariska. The train in its current season will travel between October, 2013 to April, 2014 on every second and fourth Saturdays, starting from 26^th October 2013 as per the following schedule. (Similar trips will continue in the subsequent years also)

            Day 1              Dep                 Delhi Cantt                             0950 hrs.

                                    Arr.                 Rewari                                    1145 hrs.

                                    Dep.                Rewari                                    1210 hrs.

                                    Arr.                 Alwar                                      1545 hrs.

            Day 2              Dep                 Alwar                                      1300hrs.

                                    Arr.                 Rewari                                    1540 hrs.

                                    Dep.                Rewari                                    1610 hrs.

                                    Arr.                 Delhi Cantt.                            1845 hrs.

Departure Dates for Steam Express Train*

Months	Year 2013	Year 2014	Year 2015	Year 2016
January		11, 25	10, 24	9, 23
February		8, 22	14, 28	13, 27
March		8, 22	14, 28	12, 26
April		12, 26	12, 26	10, 24
October	26	11, 25	10, 24
November	9, 23	8, 22	14, 28
December	14, 28	13, 21	12, 26

*Subject to availability of loco

2.         The Indian Railways provides comprehensive package with many options to the tourists as per the details along with the tariff given below.

Options	Adult	Child
	Rs.	Rs.
Full Package includes round trip journey between Delhi Cantt and Alwar+ stay at Sariska/sightseeing	12375	6325
One-way train journey between Delhi Cantt & Alwar + sightseeing/stay at Sariska	8965	4620
One-way train journey between Delhi Cantt & Alwar only	3795	2035
One-way train journeys between Delhi Cantt & Alwar & back	7315	3795
One-way train journey between Delhi Cantt &Rewari	2245	1260
One way train journey between Rewari & Alwar	2275	1275

(The above charges are exclusive of service tax)

            The package has been prepared with a tie-up with the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) for off board hospitality and IRCTC for on-board hospitality. Booking can be done on IRCTC’s website http://www.railtourismindia.com.  For enquiries, contact 9717645632 (10.00 – 17.00 hours on weekdays) or email topkjha6468@irctc.com.