We are back again with some interesting rail trivia. This time it is all about Railways. Let us first appreciate some interesting facts and figures which are unique to Indian Railways

Rail trivia                         

FAIRY QUEEN (1855) is the oldest locomotive in the world to be still in working order. In 1998, Guinness certificate was granted to Fairy Queen for being the oldest working steam locomotive in the world. 

Cash Local Express [unofficial]: This is the name given to the cash collection train run daily by WR on the Mumbai suburban section. This train stops at each station to collect cash receipts from the ticket offices. The southernmost vendor compartment next to the Guard's van is used for carrying the cash, which is in large boxes, or sometimes in leather bags that are then placed in large round drums. Only security and treasury department personnel are allowed to travel in that vendor's compartment. A similar train runs in the Madras section (one of the Tiruttani locals in the morning). 

Duplicate Express [unofficial]: The Howrah-Amritsar Exp. is considered a poor cousin of the more prestigious Howrah-Amritsar Mail, hence the term 'duplicate'. The name appeared on the schedule boards at Bareilly, though it was not officially shown in any timetable. The train was originally known as the Howrah-Benaras Express(1960) and Passenger to Jaunpur (15/16 on ER).) 

Honeymoon Express [unofficial]: This is the unofficial name given locally to various trains that are popular choices for young couples on romantic getaways. E.g., Kalka Mail between Delhi Jn. and Kalka, Mussoorie Exp. between Delhi Jn. and Dehradoon, and the Nilgiri Express between Madras and Mettupalaiyam 

Zindagi (Life) Express : Exhibition train for Life Insurance Corp. of India.

In 1999 the name of Delhi main station was included in the Guinness Book of World Records as it has the world’s largest Route Relay Interlocking System, with 11000 relays allowing upto 1122 signalled movements, installed by Northern Railway. 

The “Dapoorie Viaduct” on the Mumbai-Thane route is India’s first railway bridge.

One of the most beautiful station/ Office buildings of the world, Bombay V.T was constructed in 1887.

In 1984, India’s first “Metro Rail” was introduced in Calcutta.

IR's fastest train is the Bhopal Shatabdi Exp., which runs at a speed up to 140 Kmph.

First and only Rack Railway System operates between Mettupalayam and Udagmandalam (Ooty). As the gradient is very steep a second pair of cylinders on the locomotives activate a mechanism underneath the engine which engages the toothed rail in the middle of the track giving the engine extra push.

Venkatanarasimharajuvariapeta often prefixed with Sri is the Railway Station with Longest name on the Arakkonam-Renigunta section of the Southern Railway.

Ib, in Orissa is the Railway Station with the shortest name. 

Highest number of halts - The Howrah-Amritsar Exp. leads in this category with 115 halts.

The station with all the three gauges - Siliguri station in North Frontier Railway.

First Women Engine Driver is Surekha Bhonsle of Bombay.  She joined the Indian Railways in 1990.

Do you want yourself to be treated like Maharajas of palatial kingdoms on your rail journey over Indian Railways? Then, look forward to a ride on one/all of the following luxury trains in India.

Palace on Wheels

Palace on Wheels is the most popular of all the Luxury Trains in India. Palace on Wheels is a 7 Nights / 8 Days sojourn to the Land of Maharaja, Rajasthan covering eight royal destinations which compete with each other in grandeur. This super-luxury train is no less than any five star deluxe hotels. Luxuriously done cabins, wall-to-wall carpets, tempting dining halls and well-stocked bar and hordes of other facilities will make you pray that the journey never comes to an end.
http://www.palaceonwheels.net/

Royal Orient

Royal Orient Express is one of the most famed Luxury Trains in India. The joint venture between the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat and the Indian Railways, Royal Orient Train is a luxury train with 13 luxury coaches and salons. The train is equipped with all the amenities keeping in mind the requirements and interests of the passengers such as multi-cuisine restaurants, well-stocked bar and library. The 7 Nights / 8 Days tour on Royal Orient Express takes you to 10 ashtonishing tourist spots of Rajasthan and Gujarat.
http://www.indianrail.gov.in/royal_orient.html

Deccan Odyssey

Deccan Odyssey train is one of the finest Luxury Trains in India. What better way to discover the Land of Marathas and the Beach Capital of India, then on super-luxury Deccan Odyssey Train? Enjoy the services and facilities such as air-conditioned accommodation, personal attendant, two multi-cuisine restaurants, bar, conference centre, lounge and a gymnasium while on board. Deccan Odyssey passes through the 8 important tourist’s attractions of Maharashtra and Goa on 7 Nights / 8 Days long haul.
http://www.deccan-odyssey-india.com/index.html   

Now, let us share a few interesting facts on railways else where in the world.

Busiest Rail Road : The world’s most crowded rail system is the Japanese National Railways.

The world’s Longest Railway Line : The Trans-Siberian Line of Russia is the World’s Longest Railway Line. The line starts from Moscow and runs eastwards through the Ural Mountains and across all of Asia to Vladivostok on the Sea of Japan. It covers a distance of 9,288 kms. The journey from Moscow to Vladivostok takes about 8 days 4 hrs and 25 minutes. There are 97 stops on the rail route. It crosses seven time zones. The construction of the line began in 1891. By 1903 around 70,000 workers had moved 77 million cubic feet of earth, felled 1,08,000 acres of forest, and bridged half a dozen major rivers. 

Are you looking forward to savor rail travel as a life time experience? Choose your destination soon with an advance booking in one  of  these luxury trains mentioned hereunder.

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, Europe
The legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express offers a travel experience like no other, in the style of a bygone era, to exciting cities including Venice, Paris, London, Budapest, Prague, Istanbul, Vienna and Rome.
You must visit - http://www.luxury-trains.co.uk/orient-express-2007.htm

British Pullman, United Kingdom
Experience the golden age of travel aboard the vintage carriages of the British Pullman. Superbly comfortable carriages make the perfect way to travel on a day excursion or short break from London and other cities to some of the UK's most spectacular destinations.
You must visit - http://www.luxury-trains.co.uk/british-pullman-2007.htm

Northern Belle, United Kingdom
The Northern Belle fulfills the highest expectations of the original Pullman "Belle" trains of the 1930s, offering day, weekend and Grand Tours in immaculate carriages, with ornate interiors and superb food. It departs from towns and cities throughout the UK.
You must visit - http://www.luxury-trains.co.uk/northern-belle-2007.htm

The Royal Scotsman, Scotland
Experience the majesty of the Scottish Highlands, ever-changing landscapes , towering peaks of Scotland from aboard The Royal Scotsman on a selection of one to seven nights journey.
You must visit - http://www.luxury-trains.co.uk/royal-scotsman-2007.htm

Eastern & Oriental Express, South East Asia
The Eastern & Oriental Express carries passengers in luxury between Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. Travel through dense rainforests and towering mountains past golden temples, rubber plantations and remote towns and villages.
You must visit - http://www.luxury-trains.co.uk/eastern-oriental-express-2007.htm

Road To Mandalay, Myanmar
A journey along the Ayeyarwady River is a voyage of a lifetime. Aboard the Road To Mandalay on this mighty river, which runs the length of the country, treasures can be admired which have for so long been hidden from the world’s gaze.
You must visit - http://www.orient-express.com/web/rtm/rtm_a2a_home.jsp

Peru Rail, Peru
Peru Rail is widely recognized as not only one of the highest rail routes on Earth, but the world's most scenic railway service. The ultimate way to journey to the legendary Inca citadel, Machu Picchu, is aboard the Hiram Bingham luxury train.
You must visit - http://www.orient-express.com/web/tper/tper_a2a_home.jsp  . 

Pride of Africa, Ravos Rail 
The most luxurious train in the world, Rovos Rail's Pride of Africa, departs in July from Cape Town on this epic safari through Africa travelling a distance of 6,100 kilometres. Guests will board the beautifully rebuilt Edwardian Train and travel in the footsteps of such illustrious adventures as Livingstone, Speke, Stanley, Burton, Selous, Lord Delamere, Blixen and Finch-Hattern. Rovos Rail has designed this safari for travellers who wish to re-live true adventure in complete luxury, comfort and security. This unique experience will not only enthrall train enthusiasts but also provide guests with an incomparable way of travelling through the beauty of Africa.

This magnificent safari will take you through South Africa with short tours of the diamond town of Kimberley and the capital city of Pretoria. Then we visit the famous Kruger Park Game Reserve, before crossing into Zimbabwe, with another overnight stop at the Victoria Falls Hotel. The next day we cross the Victoria Falls into Zambia, Lusaka, and the Luangwa valley and on to the incredible Tazara Railway line before arriving at Dar Es Salaam in Tanzania. The one way 6,100 km journey will take 13 days. Once there, guests have the option of visiting exotic Zanzibar, Mount Kilamanjaro, the Ngorongoro Crater and the wildlife paradise of the Serengeti. The Edwardian Safari will then depart Dar Es Salaam again travelling with its southbound guests back to Cape Town. That’s truly an authentic African adventure.
You must visit - http://www.luxury-trains.co.uk/rovos-rail-2007.htm 

Others worth mentioning are -

Palace on Wheels, Orient Express, Deccan Queen Rovos Rail, The Blue Train, Royal Scotman, Trans- Siberian Express, Heritage on Wheels, Fairy Queen, Venice Simplon Orient Express, British Pullman, Northern Belle, Eastern & Oriental Express, Palladium French Luxury Train.

However, the list can be endless...

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