The Fairy Queen is the oldest running vintage steam locomotive in the world and was built in the year 1855 by the British firm Kitson, Thompson & Hewitson for the British firm East India Railways. From 1855 (the year it first started) till the year 1908, the Fairy Queen Train connected Howrah and Raniganj. After it’s decommissioning, it was proudly showcased for many years as a National Treasure in the Indian Railways Museum in Delhi.
A Guinness Book of World Records holder and winner of the National Tourism Award, this pristine beauty rolled again on 1st February 1997 from Delhi, after a gap of 142 years.
Today, the Fairy Queen Train is a popular luxury heritage Indian train and travelers can enjoy an exclusive tour from Delhi to Alwar in the heritage locomotive. The steam engine attached with the train carries a single coach with a capacity of 50 people. The coach is completely air-conditioned and has a huge glass window in the front that allows viewing the heritage locomotive as it whistles and runs on the tracks. An attached pantry car is well equipped with luxurious and royal meals for the passengers and the staff appointed is courteous and well mannered.
The Fairy Queen Train tour begins from Delhi, the capital of India, where a traveler can visit various monuments of historical importance, relish various kinds of street foods or visit any modern eating joint offering cuisines from all over the world. The train journey from Delhi to Alwar is filled with beautiful scenery of the rocky landscape of the Aravallis, quaint villages and lots of nostalgia as the Fairy Queen puffs away and steams across the countryside on its way to Alwar. When the train reaches Alwar, the guests are welcomed in a traditional Rajasthani style by cheerful and colorfully dressed local women with flower garlands.
From Alwar, the guests are taken on a car ride to Sariska. At Siliserh, there is a pre-arranged cultural event at the Lake Palace featuring Rajasthani folk music and dance. A traditional puppet show and old folk dramas are also organized for the guests in the evening.
At Sariska, guests are again welcomed with hospitality and again short cultural events await them besides a trip to the wildlife Sanctuary. Indian Railways offers a unique two days all-inclusive package combining thrill, romance, wildlife and old world charm of steam engine train ride on the Fairy Queen.
The famous Fairy Queen leaves Delhi Cantonment Railway station on every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the months between October to March. During rest of the year it is halted for engine and coaches renovation and also because of hot summer.
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