Fairy Queen
Fairy Queen
The Historical Journey Of Fairy Queen
In the year 1855, when the Fairy Queen was constructed in Leeds, England,
nobody probably expected it to attract so much of tourists' attention as it does
today. At that point of time, it was sent to Calcutta (it reached here in 1895)
where it was fondly named the Fairy Queen and given the number 22 by its then
possessor, the East India Company. After spending more than a decade pulling
mail trains between Howrah - Raniganj and assisting in the construction work in
Bihar, it was placed on a pedestal outside the Howrah Railway station. For the
next 34 years it attracted the attention of whoever came to the Howrah station.
Between 1943 to 1997, the Fairy Queen satiated the curiosity of students
of the Railway Zonal Training School at Chandausi and visitors of newly
constructed Rail Transport Museum at Chanakyapuri, New Delhi. In between, in
1972, it also earned itself the heritage status from the government of India
However, more fame was still in store and it was in the year 1997 that
the Fairy Queen got it. The phenomenal success of the Palace on Wheels inspired
the tourism department to bring out this heritage train from the confines of the
Railway Museum and convert it into a tourists' train.
Accordingly, the
Fairy Queen cruised for its first journey in the month of July the very same
year.
Your Journey In Fairy Queen
The journey of the Fairy Queen is short, luxurious and exciting. It runs on
weekend, between October to February, starting from Delhi Cantt at 0900 hrs in
the morning and reaching Alwar the same day at 1500 hrs. From Alwar station, an
air conditioned coach ferries you to the Hotel Sariska Palace. The night is
spent at the hotel where cultural programme and a theme dinner is organised for
you.
The next day, early morning trip to the Sariska Tiger Reserve forms
a major attraction. You will enjoy a jeep safari trip within the park. Keep your
eyes open for Tigers as well as other animals like Leopard, Wild Dog, Jackal,
Sambhar, Chital and Nilgai. Birds of the park Peafowl, Red Jungle Fowl, Spur
Fowls, White Breasted Kingfishers and the Peacock will also command your
attention.
After a breakfast at the Sariska Palace, you leave back for
Alwar where the Fairy Queen awaits your arrival to begin her return journey to
Delhi.
Why A Trip In The Fairy Queen
The Fairy Queen is the world's oldest running steam locomotive which has
found for itself a place in the prestigious Guinness Book of World Records. At
the national level too, the heritage train is a proud recipient of the
Government Tourism Award. Travelling in a train that is recognised so well is
once in a lifetime opportunity and as such definitely special.
On board
the Fairy Queen, it is luxury at you service. There is no crowd around as it is
only a 50 seater train. The train actually has only two coaches out of which one
is used as a pantry for onboard catering and other one for passengers' seating.
There are huge windows in the lounge in front of the passenger coach to enjoy
the scenic locations through which the train passes. The passengers' coach is
completely airconditioned with comfortable reclining seats. Delicious lunch as
well as tea, coffee and light snacks are served to you. The treatment offered is
really royal and the journey itself through add to the beautiful experience.
The destination, Sariska Tiger Reserve, is one of the best places to
enjoy wildlife in the country. Moreover, the traditional Rajasthani welcome at
the Palace Hotel as well as the cultural programme organised specially for you
offer a chance to enjoy the cultural heritage of Rajasthan.
On the whole
the trip is what you call extremely enjoyable. Moreover, a trip in Fairy Queen,
unlike the other luxury trains like the Palace on Wheels and Royal Orient, is of
short duration. This means that even if you have very limited time on hand, you
can take up this trip. This also means that the charges for the trip is
extremely less than what it is in the other luxury trains and hence, in no way a
strain on your pocket.
