Once again the steam tourist train
consisting of two coaches hauled by vintage steam engine, named ‘Akbar’ is all
set to commence its package tour between Delhi and Alwar in current season from
11th October, 2014. The 49 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, a factory of Indian
Railways The loco has been named after the great Mughal
emperor of the same name. This Pacific class of Broad Gauge loco is capable of
speed up to 110 kmph and used to haul prestigious express trains in
the past. 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 and restarted hauling this package
tourist train in 2013. Rewari Steam Locomotive heritage shed of the
Northern Railway is the home of this Loco.
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 has been in news with its use in the famous film
‘Bhag Milkha Bhag’ – a film portraying famous Indian runner, Shri Milkha Singh.
A 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. This
Akbar tourist steam train starts from Delhi Cantonment Station of the national 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, 2014 to April, 2015
on every second and fourth Saturdays, starting from 11th October
2014 as per the following schedule. (Similar trips will continue in the
subsequent years 2015 & 2016 also)
Day
1 Dep Delhi Cantt 0950
hrs.
Arr. Alwar 1545
hrs.
Day 2
Dep
Alwar 1300hrs.
Arr. Delhi Cantt.
1845 hrs.
cont…..2/
….2….
Departure Dates for
Steam Express Train* in current season and in the next season is given as
under:
|
Months
|
Year 2014
|
Year 2015
|
Year 2016
|
|
January
|
|
10, 24
|
9, 23
|
|
February
|
|
14, 28
|
13,27
|
|
March
|
|
14, 28
|
12, 26
|
|
April
|
|
11, 25
|
9.23
|
|
October
|
11, 25
|
10, 24
|
|
|
November
|
8, 22
|
14, 28
|
|
|
December
|
13, 27
|
12. 26
|
|
*Subject to availability
of loco
The Indian Railways
provides comprehensive package for this tourist train with many options to the
tourists as per the details along with the tariff given below.
|
Options
|
Adult
|
Child
|
|
|
Rs.
|
Rs.
|
|
Full Package
|
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 www.railtourismindia.com. For query
related to tourism package, please contact IRCTC on 1800110139.
AKS/HK/KD/RV