Indian Luxury Trains Adds 'Fairy Queen' to its Portfolio

By Nikhil Chandra on Dec 21, 2012

Steam Express Fair Queen Train - India’s oldest running steam locomotive

Indian Luxury Trains (ILT), India’s first luxury train portal, is all set to add the Fairy Queen train, India’s oldest running steam locomotive, to its portfolio. The Fairy Queen train was jolted down last year following the vandalizing & stealing of the brass parts of this locomotive. However, it made a comeback on wheels in February 2012 and ILT takes pride in adding it to its fleet of 6 luxury trains.

The brass parts of this 156 year old locomotive, which are extremely rare, were vandalized and stolen last year. At the time of this incident, this locomotive was parked in a railway shed. The brass parts of this locomotive were reconstructed at Perambur loco workshop in Chennai.

Operational between December to March, the Fairy Queen train offers 1 nights and 2 days tour package covering Delhi, Alwar and Rewari. Constructed in Leeds, England in 1855, the Fairy Queen embarked on its maiden voyage on 15th August, 1855 between Howrah and Raniganj. The train was given the number 22 by its former owner, The East Indian Railways. Later, it was relegated to line construction duty in Bihar until it was retired in 1909.

88 years later, on July 18, 1997, the steam locomotive was restored to life marking its return to the commercial service. The train embarked on its first mainline journey from New Delhi to Alwar to the Sariska Tiger Reserve with a total passenger capacity of 38 people.

By Nikhil Chandra

A savvy traveler and a part of Indian Luxury Trains (ILT) for last 2 years, Nikhil Chandra offers travel advice on a range of issues like when, where and how to travel along with advice on finding best deals and places for a perfect holiday. He is also the luxury travel feature writer for Indian Luxury Trais (ILT).

Posted on Dec 21, 2012