History of Palace on Wheels
It
was in the eighties when Indian Railway and Rajasthan Tourism decided to work
together on a project to resurrect some of these forgotten symbols of its historic
heritage. Thirteen carriages from different princely states were brought together
and refurbished, and the Palace on Wheels was launched.
A superb train that evoked the past with modern facilities and created a journey
that was on offer to people around the world-wannabe princes who could be royals
for their week of the journey.
For, along with the restored carriages-some still glowing with their original
teakwood panels intact-came liveried attendants, royal repasts from the attached
kitchen, a lounge, and a dining car. The Palace on Wheels had become so popular
and there is and would always be resistance to any move to discontinue it.
The result was a spanking new train that faithfully recreated the old one, but
much more comfortable, and intended to provide a smoother ride. However, this
too was on the meter gauge being used for yet another exotic journey in the
form of the Royal Orient Express that travels from Delhi to parts of Rajasthan,
but is used primarily to discover the neighboring state of Gujarat.
The Palace On Wheels started as a unique holiday train hauled by a steam engine
with its inaugural trip on 26th January, 1982. It started to roll on its regular
operations from October 1982.
The Palace on Wheels, on broad gauge, is clearly the pride of the Indian Railways.
It is luxurious, and it is modern. The coaches have different names derived
from the former princely states and that provides the link for the coat of arms
and the decor inside.
Within each carriage are comfortable of showers, built-in wardrobes with full-length
mirrors, overhead and night-lights, piped music, service bells and public address
system. The rooms and corridors are carpeted, the furniture inlaid and upholstered
especially for the train. Blinds drape large windows, which frame views across
the desert and the passing arid landscape. At the end of each coach is a lounge.
