The Fairy Queen – A Peerless Travel Experience

Built about a century and a half ago in 1855, the Fairy Queen has the reputation of being the oldest working steam locomotive in the world. The Guinness Book of World Records gave its stamp of approval for this title in 1998. The train is one of the oldest trains in India and runs between New Delhi and Delhi NCR Alwar.

The train with an amazing history behind it was developed in Leeds, England, and then taken to Calcutta where it was given the name Fairy Queen. In its initial trips, the train traveled only between Howrah and Raniganj in Calcutta. It was later taken to Bihar where it served people for more than five decades up to 1909. For the next three decades and a half the train remained at Howrah Railway Station from where it was taken to the Railway Zonal Training School at Chandausi in 1943.

It was accorded the status of a heritage and national treasure in 1972. It occupied pride of place in the National Rail Museum, New Delhi. After the tremendous success of the iconic Palace of Wheels, the Fairy Queen was again commissioned to run as a deluxe train in the year 2004. It is one of the key sources of tourist attraction in India today. A two-day journey on the train offers an amazing, once-in-a lifetime travel experience for both domestic and international tourists.

History

The Fairy Queen was built by Kitson, Thompson, and Hewitson for the British owned East India Railway. The 5 feet 6 inches (1,676 mm) gauge locomotive was initially used to lug mail coaches and covered a distance of 121 miles from Howrah to Raniganj. The train carried troops during 1987 rebellion. The locomotive was assigned to other duties in Bihar later. It was stationed here till 1909. India’s oldest working steam locomotive was christened as the Fairy Queen in 1985.

For the next 34 long years, a pedestal outside the Howrah railway station was home to the Fairy Queen from where it was resurrected for participation in the first National Rail Museum exhibition in 1971. The locomotive underwent massive repairs and restoration in 1996 in the Integral Coach Factory, Perumbur, and was overhauled completely into a running condition.

A chair car and a service car were added along with a powerful generator and compressor in 1997. The locomotive hit the tracks again with gusto on July 18, 1997, while making its debut commercial trip on the Delhi-Alwar route. The Flying Queen made it to the record books on January 13, 1998, when it was certified as the world’s oldest working locomotive by the Guinness Book of World Records. It was also decorated with the National Tourism Award for the most innovative and unique tourism project on January 25, 1999.

Coaches

• One chair car luxury coach that accommodates 50 passengers
• One pantry car for on-board catering

The Fairy Queen has only two coaches attached to it. One of these is a specially designed air-conditioned car with fifty reclining, plush, and highly comfortable seats. There is also a sophisticated pantry car for on-board catering. The lounge in the front of the passenger coach with its extra large windows offering a stunning view of the countryside is another major attraction.

Facilities

A special 50-seater brilliantly designed luxury air-conditioned coach awaits travelers on this iconic steam locomotive. Plush, regal chair cars make the journey seem heavenly and absolutely blissful. Wide-screen clear glass windows allow travelers to absorb the stunning scenery along the route while a marvelous lounge in the front offers some of the best visuals one can ever enjoy while traveling. The well-stocked pantry provides passengers with a variety of the finest cuisines and delicacies to add to their unique travel experience.

Accommodation

The Fairy Queen has one 5-seater reclining luxury chair seat coach for passengers and a well-stocked pantry car that caters to the culinary needs of passengers on-board.

Restaurants

There is no restaurant on-board but a full-fledged pantry car is available to take care of the on-board catering needs of passengers. All meals provided on-board are in designated hotels.

Bar

There are no bar facilities on board.

Business Center

The Fairy Queen is a luxury train that caters to all the travel and entertainment needs of passengers. It does not have a business center facility.

Lounge

The unique, specially designed lounge at the front of the locomotive is one of the key attractions of the Fairy Queen. The large windows offer an unrestricted and clear view of the beautiful landscapes along the countryside of Rajasthan.

Other Amenities

All transportation including pick-up and drop-off is done by luxury air-conditioned coaches. Twin sharing accommodation is arranged for passengers on a bed and breakfast basis in premium grade resorts or lodges. An English speaking guide is available for all sightseeing purposes.

Schedule

The historic train takes you through one night and two days of unmatched travel experience through some of the most important tourist destinations in Rajasthan. The trips are scheduled on every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month from October to March.

Destination

The fairy queen runs between Delhi and Alwar. From Alwar, tourists are taken by a luxury coach to the world famous Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary, the popular and much-visited tiger reserve.

Booking Procedure

25 per cent of the ticket cost to be paid at the time of booking, 25 per cent to be paid 60 days before the journey, and the balance 50 per cent to be paid 40 days before the journey. Payments can be made through credit cards, cheques, drafts, and wire transfers or e-transfers.