Salute Her Highness

The 147 year-old Queen is still going strong. Her Highness “The Fairy Queen,” Guinness Book-certified as the oldest working mainline locomotives in the world, still carries passengers as it did in 1855. It has worked for one and a half century and is still raring to go. The locomotive was brought to India just two years after the railways were built in India.
The Fairy Queen is a 2-2-2 Well Tank engine of 1855 vintage built by Kitson, Hewitson and Thomson of Leeds, England. It took some rest and was restored to regular main line service in 1997.

History
It was in 1909 that the Queen, having done yeoman service, was taken out of operations. In 1996, the National Rail Museum took up the challenge of getting the locomotive restored in heritage interest thereby making it the oldest working locomotive in the mainline anywhere in the world.

The restoration and maintenance work took an entire year and in 1997 began to function as a moving train. An exclusive tourist train for a journey back into time was conceived and the Fairy Queen took its first load of delighted passengers on a maiden restoration run.

The locomotive
The locomotive carries two coaches. One is a Power/Buffet Car with a diesel generator to supply power for the air brakes as well as lighting. The passenger car has a large glass window at the end that overlooks the coal bunker straight into the cab.

Fairy Queen has undergone a major overhaul at the Locomotive Works, Perambur this year and bears a completely new look, thanks to the efficient and dedicated efforts put in by workmen of the South-Eastern Railway and the Southern Railway. The locomotive has had the driving wheels re-axled, and the majority of its brass tubes have been replaced.

Awards
In 1999, the Fairy Queen bagged the National Tourism Award for most innovative and Unique Tourism Venture. When the Queen resumed operations for 1999-2000, the International Council of Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA) also selected the engine as a heritage venture for award at ITB Berlin on March 14, 2000. On January 13, 1998, the Guinness Book of World Records certified the Queen of Indian Railways as the "oldest working steam locomotive.".

The tour
Operating two day excursions from New Delhi from October to March each year, and running down the main line to Alwar on Saturdays; passengers then stay overnight in the former Maharajah of Alwar’s Palace in a tiger sanctuary, and spend early Sunday morning tiger-spotting before catching the Fairy Queen back to Delhi Cantonment.

Fairy Queen, Guinness certified as the world’s oldest working locomotive on the mainline, is set once again this year to rekindle the romance transporting fifty guests in an exclusive journey of a lifetime. The fare is Rs 10,000/- all-inclusive (except liquor).

Entire Tour : 1 Night & 2 Days
Day 01
Saturday DELHI
0930 hours Reporting at Delhi Cantt. Railway Station. Traditional welcome (Arti, Garland and Tikka). Board train. Welcome drink (non-alcoholic)
1000 hours Fairy Queen departs. AM Service of tea / coffee / juices and snacks.
1300 hours On board lunch.
1515 hours PM service of tea / coffee / juices and snacks.
1620 hours Departure by air-conditioned coach for Sariska. The journey will be totally guided by way of live commentary by an experience guide.
1730 hours Arrival at The Sariska Palace. Traditional Rajasthani Welcome. Welcome drink (non-alcoholic). Check-in to the rooms. Accommodation on twin sharing basis.
2000 hours Regrouping at the terrace. Rajasthani cultural programme.
2100 hours Dinner. Calling the day off.
Day 02
Sunday SARISKA
0600 hours Wake up call with bed tea.
0630 hours Depart for jungle safari in open jeeps (5 tourists in each jeep)
0930 hours Arrival back at the hotel from the safari 30 minutes for freshening up.
1000 hours Breakfast. After breakfast guests at leisure.
1200 hours Departure for Alwar station in air-conditioned coach.
1245 hours Arrival at Alwar Railway Station. Boarding the Fairy Queen.
1300 hours Fairy Queen departs for Delhi. On board refreshments.
1330 hours On board lunch.
1600 hours PM service of tea / coffee / juices and snacks.
1845 hours Arrival at Delhi Cantt. Railway Station.

The Queen’s schedule for coming days
 OCTOBER 26, 2002
 NOVEMBER 9, 2002
 NOVEMBER 23, 2002
 DECEMBER 14, 2002
 DECEMBER 28, 2002
 JANUARY 11, 2003
 JANUARY 25, 2003
 FEBRUARY 8, 2003
 FEBRUARY 22, 2003