Hello all fabulous people. First of all, thank you so so so much for an amazing response and appreciating my writing. I hope to keep up all of you with amazing and exiting incidents about The Majestic Indian Railways..........
Its my 8th post and I am going to initiate four inclusive chapters forming *The Heritage Tracks of India* Its the magnificent, royal and elegant beauties of Indian Railways which will leave you flabbergasted and astound to the pinnacle. Okay...fine........ I might sound a bit stretchy and exaggerating but honestly these trains are mesmerizing and definitely accessorize India.
So, here I start with the post : **Stay aboard Heritage Tracks Chapter 1**
STEAM EXPRESS: THE FAIRY QUEEN
The Fairy Queen is aptly placed at the top rank of heritage train. The reason being that it is the oldest rolling locomotive of the world certified by Guinness Book of World Records ! Pretty amazed **What say !**
It was first put on the track in 1855 by East India Company. It served till 1908 and made a comeback on 1st of February,1997. Since then, it commutes from Delhi to Alwar (Rajasthan).
Indian Railways has brilliantly used this elegant locomotive by providing tourists to reach the picturesque town of Alwar the same day, from where the guests are taken to Sariska Tiger Reserve for an overnight stay. Its a unique two days all-inclusive package combining thrill, romance, wildlife and steam heritage on the Fairy Queen. Isn't it brilliant. It's definitely part of my wishlist. What about you ????? Though, the engine is time to time replaced with a 1965 built steam engine so as to keep in maintenance.
The tour package is undertaken by Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC). The train departs every 2nd and 4th Saturday morning from New Delhi. This 60 seater Air-Conditioned Chair Car Saloon Car is hauled by a steam engine & vows to take you back 50 years in time for once-in-a lifetime experience.
You are met by the guide on arrival at Alwar Railway Station in the afternoon and transferred to Sariska by Deluxe Buses for overnight stay in RTDC Tiger Den Forest Lodge or any of the other guest houses.
I should definitely tell you that Sariska is a Wildlife Sanctuary and home the Royal Bengal Tigers among the other wildlife preserved species like leopard, jungle cat, caracal, striped hyena, golden jackal, chital, sambhar, nilgai, chinkara, four-horned antelope 'chousingha' , wild boar, hare, hanuman langur, Rhesus monkeys, and plenty of bird species and reptiles with lush green vegetation. Just Wow!!!
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| The Royal Bengal Tige |
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| Alwar Museum entran |
En route one gets to see the serene Siliserh Lake.You can see yourself from the pic below.
The tour carries on with evening enjoy cultural program at Sariska. On Sunday early morning proceed for Canter Excursion to Sariska Tiger Reserve. Later one visits museum in Alwar town which secures belongings of the royal families to culture to history which is captive. Followed by boarding the train by noon and arrive back in New Delhi on Sunday evening.
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| Siliserh Lake |
So, just google....plan up.......and aboard this trip which will surely give you a magical experience. It is a Fairy Queen.
Till then keep travelling.
Rise and Shine.
