Railways hunt for pvt player to operate Steam Express

NEW DELHI: To popularise the Steam Express running between Delhi Cantonment and Haryana’s Rewari, which is hauled by Fairy Queen — the 1855-built world’s oldest steam locomotive, Indian Railway is looking for private companies, said a senior railway official who is privy to the matter.

The train, which carries 60 passengers, runs on second and fourth Saturday between October and March. The trip is cancelled on fourth Saturday if the occupancy is less than 50%.

A senior railway official said that the trip had to be cancelled a number of times last season, due to few bookings. Though the train was in operation for long, but in 2017, the railways decided to introduce a steam locomotive to make it attractive for tourists. The occupancy of Steam Express ranges between 20-30% and railway wants to take it to at least 80% at least.

“The private company will be allowed to generate revenue through advertising. This will help bring down the fares. It is going to be a win-win situation for railways and passengers. Currently, occupancy is very low. We will outsource most of the jobs,” said RN Singh, divisional railway manager (Delhi), Northern Railway.

A return ticket for the two- coach Fairy Queen costs ₹6,500 and a one-way journey costs ₹3,500. The package doesn’t include food. Railway officials arrange food for passengers, locally. The train leaves Delhi around 10.30am and reaches Rewari by 1pm. For the return journey, a diesel locomotive is attached with the chair car coaches.

Currently, the tickets are booked by Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation, the coaches and engine are maintained by Indian Railways and the staff of National Rail Museum facilitates the guest. The Northern Railway has issued expression of interest for outsourcing of marketing, advertising, ticketing and catering the train. The Fairy Queen has been restored and housed at 1893-built Rewari Railway Heritage Museum.

The private operator will also facilitate tourists’ visit to the museum.

“It should not be seen as privatisation as the operation and maintenance will continue to be with the Indian railways,” said a railways spokesperson.

Railway board chairman Ashwani Lohani, who was also the director of national rail museum, has special interest in steam locos and have revived many of them. Lohani undertook the restoration of the Fairy Queen in 1997, a feat still considered monumental by any standards, bringing it back from the brink.