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[[Indian Railways]] (IR) and the [[Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation]] (IRCTC) provide a variety of luxury rail travel in [[India]]. Eight [[luxury train]]s are owned and operated by IR, which have decided to introduce luxury Anubhuti coaches on regular trains. The coaches would be similar to those on the ''[[Maharajas' Express]]'' and the ''[[Palace on Wheels]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Indian Railways to introduce Luxurious Anubhuti Coaches|url=http://news.biharprabha.com/2013/02/indian-railways-to-introduce-luxurious-anubhuti-coaches/}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Name
! Image
! Constructed
! In service
! Notes
! Ref
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| [[Fairy Queen (locomotive)|Fairy Queen]]
| [[File:Rewari_Railway_Heritage_Museum.JPG|110px]]
| 1855
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| A steam locomotive which runs between the Indian capital, [[New Delhi]], and [[Alwar]] in Rajasthan. It was certified by the Guinness Book of Records in 1998 as the world's oldest locomotive in regular operation after its restoration to haul a luxury train to increase tourism in [[Rajasthan]]. In 1999, the ''Fairy Queen'' received a National Tourism Award.{{cn|date=March 2018}}
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|-
| [[Deccan Odyssey]]
| [[File:Deccan_Odyssey_-_Full_train.jpg|110px]]
|
|
| Based on the ''[[Palace on Wheels]]'' to boost tourism on IR's [[Maharashtra]] route. The route begins in [[Mumbai]] and travels to [[Ratnagiri]], [[Sindhudurg]], [[Goa]], [[Kolhapur]], [[Belgaon]], [[Solapur]], [[Aurangabad, Maharashtra|Aurangabad]], [[Ajanta Caves|Ajanta]]-[[Ellora]] [[Nasik]] and [[Pune]] before returning to Mumbai.
| <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thedeccanodyssey.com/|title=The Best Luxury Train in India to Travel}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/business/slide-show/slide-show-1-worlds-top-25-luxury-trains/20101203.htm |title=The world's top 25 luxury trains - Rediff.com Business |work=Rediff.com |access-date=2010-12-04}}</ref><ref>[https://www.deccan-odyssey-india.com/ The Deccan Odyssey Train]</ref>
|-
| [[Golden Chariot]]
|
|
| March 10, 2008<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-02-28/india/27743828_1_golden-chariot-ktdc-19-coach-train|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024131051/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-02-28/india/27743828_1_golden-chariot-ktdc-19-coach-train|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-10-24|title=Golden Chariot train's first commercial run on March 10|date=2008-02-28|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=2009-04-21}}</ref>
| Connects major tourist areas in states of [[Karnataka]], [[Kerala]], [[Goa]], [[Tamil Nadu]] and [[Puducherry (union territory)|Puducherry]] weekly. It is named after the [[:File:Hampi8.JPG|stone chariot]] at [[Hampi]]'s [[Hampi#Vitthala temple and market complex|Vitthala temple]].<ref name="Intro">{{cite web|url=https://www.the-golden-chariot.com/the-train.html|title=The Golden Chariot : Introduction |publisher=The Golden Chariot: Official website|access-date=2009-04-21}}</ref> The train's 19 purple-and-gold coaches bear the logo of a mythological animal with the head of an elephant and the body of a lion. Like the ''Deccan Odyssey'', its amenities are based on the ''Palace on Wheels''. The ''Golden Chariot'' is operated by the [[Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation]] and marketed by Luxury Trains, with hospitality by the Mapple Group.<ref name = Wired/><ref name = Rajavilas/> The train has 44 cabins in 11 coaches named after dynasties which ruled the region: [[Kadamba Dynasty|Kadamba]], [[Hoysala]], [[Rashtrakuta]], [[Western Ganga Dynasty|Ganga]], [[Chalukya]], [[Bahamani]], [[Adil Shahi]], [[Sangama Dynasty|Sangama]], [[Satavahana]], [[Yadukula]] and [[Vijayanagara Empire|Vijayanagar]]. It has two restaurants, a lounge, conference, gym and spa facilities<ref name = Rajavilas>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/life/2008/09/26/stories/2008092650010100.htm|title=Rajavilas on rails |last=Somashekar |first=G.R.N.|date=2008-09-06|work=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=2009-04-21}}</ref><ref name="Facilities">{{cite web|url=https://www.the-golden-chariot.com/facilities.html|title=Golden Chariot: Facilities|publisher=Golden Chariot: Official website|access-date=2009-04-21}}</ref> and satellite television, and is India's only train with onboard [[Wi-Fi]] connectivity.<ref name = Wired>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/02/01/stories/2008020154680700.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080209115446/http://www.hindu.com/2008/02/01/stories/2008020154680700.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2008-02-09|title=The Golden Chariot is a totally wired train|date=2008-02-01|work=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=2009-04-21|location=Chennai, India}}</ref>
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| [[Mahaparinirvan Express]]
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|
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| Travels to Buddhist sites in [[North India]].
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| [[Maharajas' Express]]
| [[File:Maharajas%27_Express.jpg|110px|alt=]]
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| 2010<ref>{{cite news|title=A carriage through India|first=Sandra|last=Boler|work=[[The Independent]]|date=2010-04-03}}</ref>
| The train had been a joint venture between the Cox and Kings travel company and the IRCTC.<ref>{{cite web|title=Supreme Court Dismisses plea against Maharaja Express|url=http://news.biharprabha.com/2012/07/supreme-court-dismisses-plea-against-maharaja-express/|access-date=31 August 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url= http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-03-19/kolkata/28127817_1_maharajas-express-luxury-train-deluxe-cabin|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110811055521/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-03-19/kolkata/28127817_1_maharajas-express-luxury-train-deluxe-cabin|url-status= dead|archive-date= 2011-08-11|title= 1 lakh a night on Maharajas' Express|last=Gupta|first=Jayanta|date=2010-03-19|work= [[The Times of India]]|access-date=2010-04-06}}</ref><ref name="maharajatoi">{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-10-05/india/28096053_1_maharaja-express-costliest-train-new-delhi|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105070041/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-10-05/india/28096053_1_maharaja-express-costliest-train-new-delhi|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 November 2012|title=For Rs 1 lakh a day, travel like a maharaja|last=Ghosh|first=Dwaipayan|date=5 October 2009|access-date=2009-10-06|work=[[The Times of India]]|location=India}}</ref><ref name="Verdict">[http://delhicourts.nic.in/SEP11/COX%20AND%20KINGS%20INDIA%20LTD%20VS%20INDIAN%20RAILWAYS%20CATERING%20AND%20TOURISM%20CORP.pdf India's Maharajas' Express rail journey],</ref> The train offers five itineraries,<ref>{{cite web|title=Maharaja Express Train Tour, Luxury Train Travel, Online Ticket Booking, Fare, Route, Maharaja's Timings, Schedule, Departure Dates, Images|url=http://www.railmaharajasexpress.com/|website=Maharajas' Express by Yatra|access-date=22 July 2016}}</ref> all of which begin or end in [[Delhi]] and include a visit to [[Agra]]'s Taj Mahal. It arrives at a different station each morning for off-rail excursions, including shopping and visits to monuments, heritage sites, palaces, forts and hotels.<ref name="TheN">{{cite web|url=https://www.maharajas-express-india.com/|title=Maharajas' Express Train}}</ref> New itineraries include three pan-Indian journeys and two golden-triangle tours of Delhi, [[Jaipur]] and Agra. The ''Maharajas' Express'' is India's most expensive train.<ref name="Costliest in Asia">{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-04-03/india/28135373_1_luxury-train-mumbai-vadodara-udaipur-jodhpur-bikaner-jaipur-ranthambore-agra-delhi-cox-and-kings|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202222012/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-04-03/india/28135373_1_luxury-train-mumbai-vadodara-udaipur-jodhpur-bikaner-jaipur-ranthambore-agra-delhi-cox-and-kings|url-status=dead|archive-date=2014-02-02|title=Billed as Asia's costliest luxury train|access-date=April 3, 2010|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=2010-04-03}}</ref>
|
|-
| [[Palace on Wheels]]
| [[File:Palace_on_Wheels_Jaipur.jpg|110px]]
|colspan=2| August 2009 (refurbished)<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-08-02/jaipur/28194777_1_luxury-train-rajasthan-tourism-development-corporation-hrs|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811062032/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-08-02/jaipur/28194777_1_luxury-train-rajasthan-tourism-development-corporation-hrs|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 11, 2011|work=[[The Times of India]]|title=New-look Palace on Wheels set to chug off on Aug 5|date=August 2, 2009}}</ref>
| Introduced by Indian Railways to promote tourism in Rajasthan. The train was refurbished and reintroduced in August 2009 with new decor, itinerary and cuisine. The palace-on-wheels concept derives from the royal background of the coaches, which were intended to be the personal railway coaches of the former rulers of the princely states of [[Rajputana]], [[Gujarat]], the [[Nizam]] of [[Hyderabad, India|Hyderabad]] and the [[British Viceroy|Viceroy of British India]]. Each coach has four cabins (known as chambers or saloons) with twin beds,<ref>[https://www.palacesonwheels.com/photogallery.html See the "chambers"]</ref> wall-to-wall carpeting, air-conditioning, [[satellite television]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/money/report_watch-dish-tv-on-palace-on-wheels_1374083|title=Watch Dish TV on Palace on Wheels|publisher=DNA}}</ref> an intercom, toilets, hot and cold running water and personal attendants.<ref>Though the word ''खिदमतगार'' - ''khiḍhmatgār'' (servant, steward) is used by the company, it is there to evoke a luxurious past.</ref>
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|-
| [[Royal Orient]]
|
|
| 1994-95
| Runs between [[Gujarat]] and [[Rajasthan]], covering important tourist locations in the two states, modelled on the [[Palace on Wheels]].
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| [[Royal Rajasthan on Wheels]]
|
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| January 2009<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-08-26/jaipur/27928596_1_royal-rajasthan-super-luxury-train-monuments|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024044029/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-08-26/jaipur/27928596_1_royal-rajasthan-super-luxury-train-monuments|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 October 2012|work=[[The Times of India]]|title=Royal Rajasthan on Wheels to be launched in Dec|date=26 August 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.livemint.com/2008/08/26100932/Railways-to-launch-Royal-Rajas.html|title=Railways to launch Royal Rajasthan on Wheels|publisher=HT Mint}}</ref>
| Operated by Indian Railways, is modelled on the ''Palace on Wheels'' and follows a similar route through Rajasthan. The train visits several major tourist, wildlife and heritage sites across the state,<ref>{{cite news| url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/et-cetera/Super-luxury-train-Royal-Rajasthan-on-Wheels-flagged-off-from-New-Delhi/articleshow/6505235.cms | work=The Times Of India | title=News By Industry | date=6 September 2010}}</ref> Attractions visited are the [[Hawa Mahal]] (Palace of Winds), [[Moti Mahal (Bharatpur)|Moti Mahal]], [[Sheesh Mahal Lahore|Sheesh Mahal]], [[Ranthambhor National Park]], [[Chittaurgarh Fort]], [[Jag Niwas]] (Lake Palace), [[Keoladeo Ghana National Park]], [[Agra Fort]] and the [[Taj Mahal]].
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|}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==

* [https://www.indiasluxurytrains.com/ List of luxury tourist trains] at Indian Railways website
* [http://news.biharprabha.com/2013/03/a-travelers-experience-with-maharaja-express/ A Traveler’s Experience with the Maharajas' Express]

{{Indian Luxury Trains}}
{{Indian Railways}}
{{Tourism in India}}

[[Category:Hospitality industry in India]]
[[Category:Luxury trains in India| ]]

Luxury rail trains in India - Revision history

CleanupBot II at 10:10, 14 August 2023