Vintage Steam Express Train Hauling by Akbar Loco is set to Chug again in Current Season from October 2014

Once again the steam tourist train consisting of two coaches hauled by vintage steam engine, named ‘Akbar’ is all set to commence its package tour between Delhi and Alwar in current season from 11^th October, 2014. The 49 year-old steam engine ‘Akbar’ which will haul this train is one of the last surviving vintage steam locomotives and was manufactured at Chittranjan Locomotive Works, a factory of Indian Railways   The loco has been named after the great Mughal emperor of the same name. This Pacific class of Broad Gauge loco is capable of speed up to 110 kmph and used to haul prestigious express trains in the past.  After remaining many years out of service, ‘Akbar’ Loco was restored, overhauled and reclaimed in full working condition at the Amritsar workshop of Northern Railway in October 2012 and restarted hauling this package tourist train in 2013. Rewari Steam Locomotive heritage shed of the Northern Railway is the home of this Loco. 

 Amritsar Workshop has acquired unique distinction of being the only workshop of Indian Railway which is rehabilitating ‘steam’ locos and carrying out Periodic Overhaul of these locos. 

        The engine has been in news with its use in the famous film ‘Bhag Milkha Bhag’ – a film portraying famous Indian runner, Shri Milkha Singh. A steam engine hauled train takes us to nostalgic scenario of rhythmic chugging and whistling in the form of quintessential chhuk-chhuk and synchronised throw of black smoke from steam loco.         This Akbar tourist steam train starts from Delhi Cantonment Station of the national  capital and travels to Alwar (138 kms) in Rajasthan via Rewari on a tour package which includes a visit to the Sariska National Park near Alwar. This will give opportunity to the tourists for tiger sighting at Sariska. The train in its current season will travel between October, 2014 to April, 2015 on every second and fourth Saturdays, starting from 11^th October 2014 as per the following schedule. (Similar trips will continue in the subsequent years  2015 & 2016 also)

Day 1              Dep                 Delhi Cantt                             0950 hrs.

                        Arr.                 Alwar                                     1545 hrs.

        Day 2            Dep                  Alwar                                      1300hrs.

                       Arr.                 Delhi Cantt.                             1845 hrs.

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Departure Dates for Steam Express Train* in current season and in the next season is given as under:

Months	Year 2014	Year 2015	Year 2016
January		10, 24	9, 23
February		14, 28	13,27
March		14, 28	12, 26
April		11, 25	9.23
October	11, 25	10, 24
November	8, 22	14, 28
December	13, 27	12. 26

*Subject to availability of loco

 The Indian Railways provides comprehensive package for this tourist train with many options to the tourists as per the details along with the tariff given below.

Options	Adult	Child
	Rs.	Rs.
Full Package	12375	6325
One-way train journey between Delhi Cantt & Alwar + sightseeing/stay at Sariska	8965	4620
One-way train journey between Delhi Cantt & Alwar only	3795	2035
One-way train journeys between Delhi Cantt & Alwar & back	7315	3795
One-way train journey between Delhi Cantt &Rewari	2245	1260
One way train journey between Rewari & Alwar	2275	1275

(The above charges are exclusive of service tax)

 The package has been prepared with a tie-up with the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) for off board hospitality and IRCTC for on-board hospitality. Booking can be done on IRCTC’s website www.railtourismindia.com. For query related to tourism package, please contact IRCTC on 1800110139.