A Lovely Journey

The weather here in India has taken on that mildly summer touch. Winter is far back into the past. We call this time ‘spring’. And I am only repeating well known facts. So I will not linger upon them any further. What I really wanted to say is that this is one of the two great times of the year to go out on a holiday. It isn’t too cold and yet not too hot. This is also the best time to go for a quiet steam ride. The few of the steam locomotive operated trains mentioned in the former articles are well running this time of the year. The great thing is that one wouldn’t need heated or air-conditioned coaches at this time. The mild weather is just perfect for an outing. In most steam loco powered trains, since they are rather expensive (ticket wise), the coaches are all air-conditioned. But that simply takes away the fun of steam travel. But it is a necessity nevertheless for the deathly chill of winter and burning heat of summer does not stop to think about anyone. Come to India at this time of the year, or try the last week of September onwards. These are the best times of the year to come. In the meantime I am wondering if the government really has any plans to begin operating steam trains geared at the middle class joy riders. I really can’t feel good about that fact that what is considered to be the backbone of the Indian economy – the middle class – is left out of this experience. I agree that steam locomotives are in reality garnered towards the foreign tourists. But hey apna dil bhi to karta hai.

There's More!

Blue carraiges of The deccan Odyssey.


Luxourious interiors of The Deccan Odyssey.

I have just come across yet another heritage train ride, this time in the Deccan region of India. It's called the Deccan Odyssey. I am not very certain if it runs on Steam Locomotive power but hoping it does, and even otherwise, I do plan to do a feature on it. It has medium blue coloured carriages which are named after famous forts of the Deccan region. And yes it is bloody luxurious and almost always packed. More about it when I have done my research.

Heritage on Wheels

I have just come to know of a new steam railway line that is scheduled to begin operations on the 17th of February 2006. It's called the 'Heritage on Wheels' and is supposed to cover the Bikaner-Shekhawati region of Rajasthan, known for its exquisitely beautiful 'havelis'(big ornate houses). The service will run on meter gauge lines unlike the Palace on Wheels that runs on broad guage. The train will bring tourists face-to-face with the rich heritage of Bikaner, Gajner, Nawalgarh, Mandawa and Ramgarh. 'Heritage on Wheels' will have a bi-weekly service from Jaipur. And though it is brought up on the lines of the exclusive Palace on Wheels, the prices will be a lot cheaper than its famed cousin. Good for us here in India. We can go steam locomotive hopping more often and with a less dent on the wallet. Cheers to the Indian Railway Guys, and thanks a ton.