History of Palace on Wheels 
It
was in the eighties when Indian Railway and Rajasthan Tourism decided to work
together on a project 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.
For, along with the restored carriages-some still
glowing with their original teakwood panels intact-came liveried attendants, royal
repasts from the attached kitchen, a lounge, and a dining car. The Palace on Wheels
had become so popular and there is and would always be resistance to any move
to discontinue it.
The result was a spanking new train that faithfully
recreated the old one, but much more comfortable, and intended to provide a smoother
ride. However, this too was on the meter gauge being used for yet another exotic
journey in the form of the Royal Orient Express that travels from Delhi to parts
of Rajasthan, but is used primarily to discover the neighboring state of Gujarat.
The Palace
On Wheels started as a unique holiday train hauled by a steam engine with its
inaugural trip on 26th January, 1982. It started to roll on its regular operations
from October 1982.
The
Palace on Wheels, on broad gauge, is clearly the pride of the Indian Railways.
It is luxurious, and it is modern. The coaches have different names derived from
the former princely states and that provides the link for the coat of arms and
the decor inside.
Within each carriage are comfortable of showers, built-in
wardrobes with full-length mirrors, overhead and night-lights, piped music, service
bells and public address system. The rooms and corridors are carpeted, the furniture
inlaid and upholstered especially for the train. Blinds drape large windows, which
frame views across the desert and the passing arid landscape. At the end of each
coach is a lounge.
··»
Palace
on Wheels —› History
of Palace on Wheels —›
Facilities of Palace on Wheels
—› Schedule
& Tariff —› Day
Wise Itinerary
··»
Luxury Trains in
India —› Palace on
Wheels —› Royal
Orient —› Fairy
Queen —› Deccan
Odyessey —› Konkan
Train
