First AC double-decker rail coach launched in India

On March 30, 2010, India’s Rail Coach Factory launched its first AC double-decker rail coach on Delhi-Mathura section. The coach will be inspected by Railway Minister, Mamata Banerjee and senior officers of Railway Board in Delhi on March 31, 2009. Miss Banerjee talked about the introduction of AC double-decker trains in the Rail budget 2010-2011.

RCF general manager, Pradeep Kumar, said that the factory would start manufacturing the double-decker coaches after completing the “oscillation trials.” Painted in green-yellow, the double-decker coach has all the necessary luxury features and the comforts of a Shatabdi coach.

In India, railway is one of the most popular means of communication and Indian railway is one of the largest and busiest rail networks in the world transporting 20 million passengers and more than 2 million tonnes of freight every day. It is also one of the world’s largest employers with more than 1.6 million employees. In order to keep with the demand of the AC railway coaches, Indian government introduced these double-decker AC coaches.

The AC double-decker coaches were built at the RCF facility in Kapurthala, Pujab. The officials claimed to have completed building the coach in a record time of eight months. If the trial becomes successful RCF will then go into mass production.

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Maharaja Express: The new luxurious train of India

Maharaja Express, a new luxury coach will be inaugurated by Indian Railway Minister, Mamata Banerjee on March 20, 2010. She will flag off Maharaja Express from Kolkata station. For the next six days and seven nights, the train will go to New Delhi. In between, it will stop at Gaya, Varanasi, Bandhavgarh, Khajuraho, Gwalior and Agra.

Maharaja Express is a joint venture between Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) and Cox and Kings India Ltd. The Maharajas’ Express will have 88 passengers and they will enjoy all the facilities. All food and drinks are complementary. An official said:

The initial runs are familiarisation trips for the tour operators. Once they are satisfied with the service, they will sell the idea to their clients. Remember, there is a three-month waiting period for the Palace on Wheels. This train will be much more luxurious. We are sure that it will be a very successful venture,”

The operators are targeting tourists. For a deluxe cabin, the charge is $800 per person per day. The Presidential Suite costs $2500.

For more information visit:

http://www.rirtl.com/