Recount #008 : Stay aboard Heritage Tracks Chapter 1

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!!!

The Royal Bengal Tige

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.

Siliserh Lake

I hope this virtual miniature actually enthrall you to travel and unravel yourself this amazing trip on none other than *The Fairy Queen*

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. 

Recount #002 *amazing facts : part I*

Hello people! Thank you all for encouraging and appreciating the blog !

Today, I am posting up some interesting facts about the Indian railways.

Fact 01 : The first official passenger train was inaugurated on
16th April 1853. India railways celebrated its 160 years on the same date(obviously ;p) in 2013. The locomotive covered 21 miles from Bombay( now called Mumbai) to Thane. And, the bridge shown in the photograph known as the Dapoorie Viaduct was the first railway bridge to be constructed for the same route .

Fact 02 :     

One of the interesting travel memories specially for children and for the couples too(;p), include the time when the train moves through a tunnel. I am sure, all of you would have had some or the other tunnel story ! What I have mostly observed is that as the train reaches the starting of the tunnel, the excitement gets processed into a long howling woooohhhh!!! sound. **Its good to have fun, right !**

The first railway tunnel to be made was Parsik Tunnel situated near Thane. Parsik is the old persian form of Parsi( a zoroastrian community).

Fact 03: 

The first underground railway to be constructed is Kolkata Metro Railways. From generation of the idea and necessity (1949) to laying of foundation brick by the then prime minister, Smt. Indira Gandhi(1972) to extending networks till 2010. The Kolkata Metro Railways have a come a long way and aids to daily commuters immensely. One can actually call them as the valves joining the kolkata in the same way they do in connecting heart chambers.  

Fact 04:

One of the application of advancements in technology took place in 1986 when the first computerized reservation was installed in Delhi(capital of India). According to me, it is

actually among the greatest application in the era of computers. It has actually helped immensely in managing the  huge population with high rates of daily commuting. Brilliant ! Bravo ! 

Though, the pic shows a cancellation ticket still ....the electronic ticket.

Fact 05:

Another interesting fact is the starting of electric trains. Most trains don' t employ

electricity. The western Mumbai railway route employs around 1500V DC; Kolkata Metro - 750V DC and Delhi Metro - 25kV AC.

Still, the first electric train launched on 3rd february, 1925 which ran from Bombay VT and kurla.

I hope you all enjoyed reading few of the many facts..........I will bring up more the next time.........:) :) :)

And, one more thing....

Last but not the least - Loh Path Gamini - a Hindi word in which- loh stands for : iron; Path- track and Gamini- travelling machine.

:D.

Keep travelling
Rise and shine !!!!!!

Recount #001

Hello people......

Today, I am starting with my new blog........and its about TRAINS...........

Yesssss... Its simply not just a mode of transportation BUT, plays an essential and emotional role in uniting and binding the rich culture of India.                                                         

  

       

India is among the top 4 countries with highest railway length. Truly, majestic.... isn't it !

Being among the fast developing nations , the Government is pre-occupied with other national level priorities so The Indian Railways has a slow rate of reforms but YES changes are happening and will definitely grow up and maintain.
Vivid and variety people......compartments always full......tea/coffee in kullad (cups made from clay)....people sharing food.....the serene view from the window......gossips.......and many more things....adventures and memories !!!!!
WHICH I AM SURELY GONNA SHARE.......

Till then....keep travelling......in this amazing world !!!!

Love all...rise and shine