Mirror gauge round trip

Another Palace On Wheels? It's a good idea.

France or India, a palace is a palace for its uniqueness. Even its other-worldliness. Is it replicable? Now that depends on what exactly you mean.

Palace On Wheels, the luxury train that runs a seven-night circular tour from Delhi to Delhi via Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Sawaimadhpur, Chittor, Udaipur, Bharatpur and Agra, may soon get a replica. And it will be none the worse for it.

Pin it down to demand. The train is booked for the next three years, and Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) and Indian Railways think it best to double capacity by running a second train on the same route.

"The Taj and Palace On Wheels are the two most famous tourist attractions for foreigners," says an official of Indian Railways, "And so it has become difficult to run the luxury service with just one train." In-principle approval has been obtained, he adds, and the service could start in April 2007.

It is not as simple as starting any other train, though, the palatial aspects of the journey being the actual draw (apart from the route).

Under the two-way joint venture, the Railways' job is to operate the trains and provide the bare coaches, while RTDC looks after the interior design and furnishings in accordance with the theme of royalty. The new coaches, to be designed at the Integrated Coach Factory in Perambur, Chennai, could take Rs 30 crore, all done.

It would be an investment worth making. According to the Railways official, the Palace On Wheels records annual earnings of about Rs 18 crore per year, which is shared with RTDC. Operating costs, while higher than regular trains, are not overwhelmingly so.

Moreover, tariffs for the new train are likely be higher by 20-25 per cent, according to Rakesh Saini, managing director, RTDC, than those at present: about $400 per night for double occupancy and $525 for single occupancy.

This is because the new coaches would be even more luxurious: with only suite accommodation. Also, the passenger capacity will be reduced from 104 to 84.

Meanwhile, the meter-gauge Heritage On Wheels has already had a trial run earlier this year, says Saini, and the service could hit the rails as early as this September.

The original holiday, in all likelihood, shall remain the Palace On Wheels. The second one on India's most famous circular route just means that much more reflection, that's all.