Palace On Wheels
Launched on January 26, 1982, the Palace on Wheels is India’s first luxury tourist train, created by Indian Railways and the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) to promote tourism by offering a royal experience. It reimagined the historic, unused personal carriages of former Maharajas, Nizams, and Viceroys, blending heritage with modern luxury to travel across Rajasthan’s royal cities.
Key Historical Milestones:
- Inception (1982): The train made its inaugural journey with a steam engine, utilizing restored, historic royal carriages.
- Metre Gauge Era (1980s): Originally, it operated on a metre-gauge track using the original carriages of former Rajasthan princes.
- Broad Gauge Shift (1996): To meet modern demands and comfort, the train was converted to a broad gauge, featuring new, luxury carriages with attached, modern bathrooms.
- Refurbishments (2017-Present): The train has been refurbished multiple times to include Super Deluxe carriages (2017) and presidential suites (2024), now offering modern amenities like Wi-Fi, lounges, and spas, while retaining its traditional décor.
Operational Changes:
- Partnership: It was initially operated by Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation and Indian Railways.
- Privatization (2022-2023): In the 2022-23 season, operations shifted to private parties, Easy Toll & Cube Construction, bringing new upgrades to the carriages and guest experiences.
The Experience:
- Route: The 7-night/8-day journey departs from New Delhi (Sab Darjang station), covering heritage sites including Jaipur, Ranthambore, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bharatpur, and Agra.
- Significance: Known as the "mother of luxury trains" in India, it offers a glimpse into the opulent Rajputana lifestyle with carriages named after former princely states.
