Palace on Wheels

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The Palace on Wheels is a luxury tourist train in India operated jointly by Indian Railways and the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC). It was launched on 26 January 1982 with the aim of promoting tourism in Rajasthan by offering rail journeys modeled after the personal trains of former Indian princely states.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }} </ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }} </ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

HistoryEdit

The concept of the train was inspired by the personal carriages of the rulers of princely states such as Rajputana, Vadodara, and the Nizam of Hyderabad. These royal coaches were not used after independence and gauge conversions. The Palace on Wheels was introduced using newly built coaches reflecting the historical style.

The train underwent refurbishments in 1991, 1995, and 2009, the last of which included interior redesign and upgrades to services and dining options.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Operations were temporarily suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2022. The train resumed services in October 2022.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

RouteEdit

The train follows a seven-night, eight-day itinerary operating between September and April. The route includes the following destinations:

Day 1 – Departure from New Delhi
Day 2 – Jaipur
Day 3 – Sawai Madhopur and Chittorgarh
Day 4 – Udaipur
Day 5 – Jaisalmer
Day 6 – Jodhpur
Day 7 – Bharatpur and Agra
Day 8 – Return to New Delhi<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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CoachesEdit

The train consists of 14 coaches, each named after a former princely state of Rajasthan.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> These include Alwar, Bharatpur, Bikaner, Bundi, Dholpur, Shri Dungargarh, Jaisalmer, Jaipur, Jhalawar, Jodhpur, Kishangarh, Kota, Sirohi, and Udaipur.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }} </ref>

Each coach contains three double-occupancy cabins, styled with décor reflecting Rajasthani heritage and equipped with modern amenities such as air conditioning, attached washrooms, and Wi-Fi access.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

FacilitiesEdit

Facilities available on board include:

Two dining coaches, The Maharaja and The Maharani, serving Indian, continental, and Chinese cuisine<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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Lounge bar
Spa services
Laundry, postal, and banking services
Medical assistance available on board<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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GalleryEdit

Maharaja Restaurant on Palace on Wheels Luxury Train India.jpg

Interior of the Maharaja Restaurant onboard
Palace on Wheels Jaipur.jpg

Palace on Wheels stationed at Jaipur Junction railway station
Palace on Wheels- Cabin.jpg

Cabin interior on the train
Super deluxe 'Diamond' room of Palace on wheels luxury train-India.jpg

Super deluxe "Diamond" room on board