Get Onboard the Tireless ‘Akbar’ for a Breathtaking Journey

Once again the tourist steam train consisting of two coaches hauled by steam engine, Akbar’ has started it journey between Delhi and Alwar from 26th October, 2013. The 48 years old steam engine ‘Akbar’ is one of the last surviving vintage steam locomotive, manufactured by Chittranjan Locomotive Works (later rehabilitated at Amritsar Railway Workshop) and is named after the great Mughal emperor. The engine was recently in the news for its use in the famous film ‘Bhag Milkha Bhag’ – A film portraying the life and times of the famous Indian runner, Milkha Singh. The train takes one on a nostalgic journey filled with rhythmic chugging and whistling - quintessential chhuk-chhuk and synchronised throw of black smoke from the steam locomotive.
 
“Akbar” has been restored in Amritsar Workshop of Northern Railway in October 2012. The Workshop has acquired the unique distinction of being the only workshop of Indian Railway which is rehabilitating steam locos and carrying out periodic overhaul of these locos. The Workshop has acquired necessary skill sets crucial for steam-related activities in a very short time and has already developed into a hub of Steam Locomotive activity along with Rewari Shed. It has also revived the KC-520, Akbar, Sher-e-Punjab and Angad steam locomotives.
 
Rewari Steam Locomotive shed of the Northern Railway has been restored as a heritage shed with a grand opening in October 2010. Within a small time this 120 years old shed has become the finest steam destination in the world, attracting visitors and steam enthusiasts from all over the world. The shed was conferred with the National Tourism Award in the category of most innovative tourism product by the then President of India Smt. Pratibha Devi Singh Patil on 29th February, 2012. Rewari Locos have featured in several Bollywood period films- Guru, Gandhi-My Father, Rang de Basanti, Gadar and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag are a notable few.
 
Currently the only shed of Indian Railways with locomotives in steam, it homes nine working locos of various class - both of Broad Gauge and Meter Gauge. The shed has been developed with exhibition room, cafeteria, lounge car as well as Officers Rest House and Edward VIII salon for stay.
 
The pride of the current fleet at Rewari is the WP7161 locomotive- christened as “Akbar”. WP steam locos with their distinctive cone-shaped bulging nose with a star painted on it were the standard passenger locos on Indian Railways post 1947. This Pacific class of Broad Gauge loco is capable of speeds up to 110 kmph and used to haul prestigious express trains. Built in Chittaranjan Locomotive Works and inducted in service in 1965, “Akbar” is currently in active service hauling Steam Express tourist trains.
This train starts from Delhi Cantonment Station of the 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. Thus giving an opportunity to the tourists for tiger sighting at Sariska. The train in its current season will travel between October, 2013 to April, 2014 on every second and fourth Saturday. 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

Day -1             Dep                 Delhi Cantt                 0950 hrs.

                                    Arr.                  Rewari                         1145 hrs.

                                    Dep.                Rewari                         1210 hrs.

                                    Arr.                  Alwar                          1545 hrs.

            Day- 2             Dep                 Alwar                          1300hrs.

                                    Arr.                  Rewari                         1540 hrs.

                                    Dep.                Rewari                         1610 hrs.

                                    Arr.                  Delhi Cantt.                1845 hrs.

Departure Dates for Steam Express Train

 The Indian Railways provides comprehensive package with many options to the tourists as per the details:

(The above charges are exclusive of service tax)

*The author is Deputy Director (Media & Communication), PIB, New Delhi.

(PIB Feature)