Maharajas Express Train

Washington - India's famed Maharajas' Express is making select stops on the US West Coast to showcase its luxurious amenities to North American travellers who want to experience Incredible India by stepping back into time.

The Indian Railways Catering Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), which owns and operates the luxury train is hosting special events in Los Angeles (Nov 26), San Francisco (Nov 30), and Las Vegas to showcase Maharajas' Express, according to a media release.

Awarded 'Best Luxury Train' by CNBC Travel in 2010 and named 1st runner up in the Readers Choice Award for Conde Nast Traveler in 2011, the train offers a range of five incredible itineraries between the months of September and April.

"The train is designed to transport guests into a more gracious age of train travelling," said Rakesh Kumar Tandon, managing director, IRCTC.

"Interiors suffused with nostalgia, state−of−the−art amenities, a tastefully−crafted itinerary, and impeccable hospitality enable Maharajas' Express to present India in a way never seen before."

Each train carries 14 guest carriages, including one truly classic presidential suite that stretches the length of an entire carriage. Every cabin has large windows, designed so that guests can savour every bit of magnificent India.

All passenger cars come with independent, cabin−controlled air conditioning, online water filtration systems, environmentally−friendly toilets, pneumatic suspension, live television, Wi−Fi Internet, CCTV cameras, hair dryers, electronic safe deposit boxes, bath tubs in suites and the presidential suite − almost everything one could imagine to travel in luxury.

The Maharajas' Express features two fine−dining restaurants that each seat 42 people, and everyone on board dines together. For added zest, there is an exotic Safari bar and Rajah Club, with the choicest collection of complimentary, house brand spirits. Each train comfortably fits a total of 88 passengers.

Source: http://india.nydailynews.com/

Deccan Odyssey

The Deccan Odyssey luxury train service, operated by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation, resumed operations in a new look today.

The Tourism Minister, Mr Chhagan Bhujbal, joined passengers on the maiden journey of the renovated luxury train from the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus here.

The train was launched in January 2004 and travelled mostly within the State, catering mainly to foreign tourists. However, after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks in 2008, the bookings dwindled.

“After the terror attacks, we had around 1,000 to 1,200 bookings cancelled,” the MTDC Joint Managing Director, Mr Avinash Dhakne, told PTI. Today, it carried about 80 passengers, including tourists from the US, Britain, Switzerland, Holland and Australia.

The train today embarked on a week-long journey to New Delhi, where another batch of tourists will board the train for the return journey.

The MTDC decided to fully renovate the train and re-launch it on a pan-India basis.

The train boasts regal interiors, the best of food and drinks, conference rooms, televisions in each suite, dining rooms, lounges, a fully-equipped gym with massage and spa, a library, and the full range of executive services.

Besides the Mumbai-New Delhi-Mumbai trip, which would take a fortnight, the train will also ply within the State.

“We are eyeing destinations such as Shirdi and are planning a special package for it,” Mr Dhakne said.

Source-http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/