Vistadome Railway Coaches, India

 On par with the Executive Coaches in the various Indian Railway Trains, or better to call it an upgrade of the EC, Vistadome Coaches are the latest state - of - the - art additions in a few of the most scenic and popular zones of the Railways. 

The Indian Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that "The routes for running trains using the Vistadome coaches in the composition of trains are selected on the basis of the natural scenic beauty of the areas through which the trains pass,"  in a reply in Rajya Sabha.

These coaches are the ultimate in luxury that adds to the thrilling experience of traveling by long distance trains across the length and breadth of the country. The routes chosen for the time being include places that have extremely natural beautiful landscape, be it the Konkan, the Dooars, the Himalayan ranges, coastal palm lined plains and the stunning locales of North East India. 

Date of Commencement - 11th February 2022

Number of Trains with Vistadome Coaches - 45

Proposed Total Number of Trains - 90

Manufactured By - Integral Coach Factory in Chennai on the LHB (Linke-Hofmann Busch platform/technology). 

Features of the See - Through Vistadome Coach

1. Transparent plexiglass glass roofs

2. Seating capacity of 36

3. Rotating Seats with a cup holder, back pocket, armrests, push button to recline, individual charging sockets for mobile phones and laptops 

4. Pusback Chairs. 

5. AC 

6. Cushioned wooden interiors

7. Modified windows

8. Designer LED lights 

9. An observation lounge offering a panoramic 360° view

10. 44 seats in each coach

    
    
    

Base Fare of Executive Vistadome Coaches 

1. 1 to 50 kms - ₹ 425

2. 991 to 1000 kms - ₹ 2677

List of Some of the Trains with Vistadome Coaches 

1. Western Railway Zone

• Ahmedabad - Kevadiya Express; Train

Number 20947/48 • 

• Ahmedabad - Kevadiya Express; Train

Number 20949/50

• Mhow - Patalpani - Kalakund (MG); Train Number 52965/66

• Bilimora - Waghai (NG); Train Number -09501/02, 09071/72

• Mumbai Central - Gandhinagar Capital Shatabdi Express; Train Number - 12009/10

2. Central Railway Zone

• Mumbai - Pune Deccan Express; Train Number: 11007/08, 02123

• Pune - Mumbai Deccan Express, Train Number : 02124

• Mumbai Madgaon / Janshatabdi Express; Train - Number: 12051/52

• Deccan Queen Express; Train Number: 12123/24

3. Northeast Frontier Railway Zone

• Alipurduar - New Jalpaiguri Express; Train

No.: 15777/78

• Guwahati - Badarpur Express; Train No.:

15887/88

• Tinsukia - Naharlagun Express; Train No.: 15907/08

• Train Numbers 52593/95/98/44, 52541, 52540, 52556

• Naharlagun-Guwahati Shatabdi Express; ,Train Number 12087/88 

4. East Coast Railway Zone

Visakhapatnam - Kirandul Express; Train Number: 18551/52

5. Northern Railway Zone

Kalka - Shimla Express; Train Number 52453/54 and 52459/60

6. South Western Railway Zone

• Yesvantpur - Mangalore Express; Train Number 16539/40, 06211/06212, 06575/06576 

• Yesvantpur - Karwar Express; Train Number 16515/16

• Yesvantpur - Mangalore Express; Train Number 16575/76

• Yesvantpur Shivamogga Express; Train Number 16579/80

 

7. North Eastern Railway Zone

Mailani Bichia Special (MG); Train - Number 05319/20

8. South Coastal Zone 

Visakhapatnam - Araku, Train Number 58501-58502 

Places To See Via VistaDomes

1. Madgaon, Goa

2. Araku Valley

3. Mangaluru, Karnataka

4. Tinsukia, Assam

5. Pune, Maharashtra

6. Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

7. Naharlagun, Arunachal Pradesh.  

8. Alipurdaur, West Bengal

As it is, a long distance train journey via the Indian Railways is always a thrilling, memorable and enjoyable time for most people. On top of that, these upgraded Vistadome Coaches provide the traveller with a unique opportunity to experience the train journey to exotic locations of the country in a totally unique style. The coaches enhance and elevate it to an another level altogether. 

Images - www.indiatimes.com

Link shared here 

Information Source - www.irctchelp.in

Maharaja Express Luxury by itself from IRCTC and Cox Kings India Ltd.

Maharaja Express, is a train that lives up to the word. In a joint venture between IRCTC and Cox and Kings India Ltd., the Royale Indian Rail Tours Ltd., was set up. The Maharajas Express is the proud tour package train of the same.

Maharajas were born into royalty and this train is a royal one in terms of luxury by itself. For the commoners luxury in once in a while, for the Maharajas, life itself is a luxury and here in this train, one can experience the luxuries that the Maharajas enjoyed. All the carriages are equipped with all modern facilities and amenities and comforts that are created by science. The Maharajas Express is a world class luxury train with Large LCD screens, environmental friendly washrooms and lots more. The entire ride in this train shows a different experience, and a different face of India.

There are 3 tour packages available.
1. Princely India : (8 days and 7 nights)Mumbai - Vadodara - Udaipur - Jodhpur - Bikaner - Jaipur - Ranthambore - Agra - Delhi.

      A spectacular journey through Western India, that also combines the Taj Mahal. This 8 day journey takes one through the royal forts and palaces along with the Royal hunting ground of the Rajputs (Ranthambore, which is now a National Tiger Reserve) and also the Taj Mahal.

2. Royal India : (8 days and 7 nights)Delhi - Agra - Ranthambore - Jaipur - Bikaner - Jodhpur - Udaipur - Vadodara - Mumbai
       The reverse of princely India tour which starts with the spectacular Taj Mahal and goes through the state of Rajasthan and reaches Mumbai. One can participate in the Elephant Polo match and also view the tigers at close proximity.

3. Classical India : (7 days and 6 nights)Delhi - Agra - Gwalior - Khajuraho - Bandhavgarh - Varanasi - Lucknow - Delhi
        Starts at Delhi followed by a spectacular view of Tajmahal, the guests on board get to visit the princely state of Gwalior, and go on a cruise in the river Ganges at Varanasi. 

Shivalik Palace - The Luxury Coach

Shivalik Palace, a special tourist coach, which is a 6 seater one, which can be classified into a deluxe hotel room. This can be attached with any train that runs between Kalka and Shimla so that a good view of the valleys, mountains and lot more.
The journey in this coach is absolutely elite class one. It have a kitchen with kitchen ware which can be used by the tourists themselves. It have two rooms and is suitable for a family of 6. The entire coach is nicely decorated with lights, music system, a load of indoor games, books and magazines to get entertained if at all the view outside is boring, though which is not to happen at any time.

The rooms have folding cushion beds. The kitchen have a dining table and refrigerator. The bathrooms are fitted with modern amenities.

The total fare is Rs. 8,225.00 (both ways), and for the up direction - Rs. 4,790.00 and for down direction Rs. 3,495.00. A complimentary retiring room for two at Shimla  comes with the fare.

Shivalik Queen - Tourist Coach for Honey mooners

A luxury tourist coach launched in the year 1998, especially for the honey moon couples. There are two sections in each coach which is designed elegantly from wall to wall and the windows are curtained beautifully. There is a bell to communicate with the driver and microphone to communicate with the guard. Magazines and newspapers are provided for free. The fare for a couple is approximately around Rs. 750 per couple in which meals are also included. This coach can be attached along with any mail or express from Kalka-Shimla.

Palace on Wheels - Experience the life of Maharajas

Palace on Wheels was first started in the year 1982 as a means to promote Rajasthan Tourism. The entire train had coaches that were used in the British period and this train was regarded as a special Heritage Tourist Train. The main aim of the Palace on Wheels train was to provide an unique experience for the tourists of Rajasthan. 


The first train of the Palace on Wheels which run using steam engine started running from October 1982. 
 
 

In the year 2009, Indian Railways started running the new luxury train Palace on Wheels or Royal Rajasthan on Wheels train which covers a circuit of Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, Chittorgarh Hill Fort, Udaipur, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary and Tajmahal of Agra. 

The entire tour circuit trip is for seven nights and eight days though there is an option to book for minimum of 4 nights journey from Jaipur to Udaipur.

Palace on Wheels is a splendid and enchating royal journey in train. The train itself gives the feel of the era of the Maharajas. The Palace on Wheels have luxurious cabins, wall to wall carpeting, a well stocked bar, two dining cars and all these comes with personalized services. 


The train Palace on Wheels have 14 carriages and all the carriages are well designed and decorated with the Rajput style. 


The coaches named after the princely states of Rajputs are decorated with Rajasthani style. 


All the saloons in the coaches have channel music, intercom facilities, attached toilets with 24 hours supply of cold and water shower. 

The names of the 14 coaches are:
1. Alwar
2. Bharatpur
3. Bikaner
4. Bundi
5. Dholpur
6. Dungargarh
7. Jaisalmer
8. Jaipur
9. Jhalwar
10. Jodhpur
11. Kishangarh
12. Kota

13. Sirohi
14. Udaipur


Each saloon have a mini pantry and a lounge. One can get hot and cold beverages and refreshments and a place to relax. 


The bar in the Palace on Wheels is well stocked with Indian and International brands.

Facilities in Palace of Wheels: 
There are individual and Common Facilities available in the Palace on Wheels


Individual Facilities
All the 14 coaches are airconditioned deluxe salons, and have 4 twin bedded chambers. 


The luggage is placed in the respective salons and the passengers can board just as it is enjoying the royal welcome.


Every guest is provided with a welcome kit on arrival which have stationery items, brochures, cards and anything more needed can be asked for from the Khidmatgar. A complimentary beer or wine is also provided to the guests. 

A personal attendant - Khidmatgar is always at the service of the passengers and they take care of every need of the passengers.

Safety measures and other arrangements are made to safely secure the personal belongings in the train.

The guests are provided with toiletries. Soaps, shampoos and moisturizers are provided in the train. 

Special assistance is provided to needy in the form of wheel chairs, creches and special personal assistant. 

The two restaurants in the Palace on Wheels are named as Maharaja Restaurant and Maharani Restaurnat.  guests can choose from the Continental, Chinese, Indian and Rajasthani cuisines on board Palace on Wheels. Mineral water is served to all the guests on board


Every morning the guests are given newspapers and dailies along with a hot cup of tea or coffee or any beverages of choice. A large collection of magazines are also available to choose from.



Common Facilities
Guests can play Indoor games like Chess, Playing cards, Chinese Checkers, Carom Board and Crossword Puzzles.

The lounge in every coach provides a great place for relaxing and interacting with other guests.

To post mail, a mail box is provided on board.


Medical aid is provided in the train. First aid is available immediatly and in case of need a doctor can be arranged in the nearest station.


Guests can choose from a vareity of handicrafts from Rajasthan from the Emporium inside the Palace on Wheels which is owned by the state. 


The entire train is a no smoking train.

Charter Train from Pathankot to Palampur

One can avail of a one way charter train journey for family and friends. The journey can be availed from any station to any station between the Pathankot-Joginder Nagar toy train. The total cost of the exclusive train is Rs. 22206/= (source IRCTC website). The charter train feature is as follows:

There are 4 First Class coaches with a seating capacity of 18 each and also a SLR Guard Van. The train departs from Patankot at 8.30 am and reaches Palampur at 1.15 pm with just 3 stops in between. On the return journey the train departs from Palampur at 1.30pm and reaches Pathankot at 7.00pm.

For bookings and enquiries one can contact:
Deputy GM(Tourism)-IRCTC-New Delhi
Ph no. (011) 23235264
Fax no. (011) 23210321

email: tourismz@irctc.com