The Palace of Wheels is the ultimate venture of Rajasthan Tourism in collaboration with Indian Railway. To resurrect the forgotten symbols of the historic heritage of Rajasthan different princely states were brought together to come up with the superb train Palace on Wheels. This extra ordinary train started as a unique holiday locomotive dragged by steam engine with its inaugural trip on 26th January, 1982. From October of the same year the train started to operate in full swing. The idea of Palace on Wheels was derivative from the regal background of the coaches. It was primarily designed to the special railway coaches of the former rulers of the generous states of Rajputana, Gujarat, the Nizam of Hyderabad and viceroy of British India.
The history of Palace on Wheels is as celebrated and distinctive as the train itself. The coaches of these luxurious cabins are also rich with their significant history. The Palace on Wheels is renovated to a great extend. In 1991, a latest air conditioned Palace on Wheels was launched on the lines of old heritage train. It gifts the travelers all the modern amenities and facilities to suit the needs of worldwide travelers.13 salons, 2 restaurants, kitchen, bar cum lounge and 4 service cars ‘Khidmatgars’ or personal attendants in all cabin is the extra ordinary and amazing aspects of Palace on Wheels. The Palace on Wheels has conceded 36096 tourists in 578 trios up to April 2002. In 1987 the Palace on Wheels has achieved PATA gold award for success and worldwide acclaim popularity.
The palace on Wheels has been priced as one of the ten luxurious and prestigious rails in the world. Its 14 coaches have 104 berths in double-bedded cabins. All the cabin offers the amenities as music channel, intercom, and attached bathroom with the facility of both hot/ cold water and shower. “Maharaja” and ‘Maharani” are the names of lavish restaurants filled with the aroma of continental, Indian, Chinese and Rajasthani cuisines. The rooms and corridors are carpeted and library having a wise collection of books and magazines is the charming excellence of the train. Thus Palace on Wheels was emphatically aimed to provide a cherished and momentous travel and tour experience to the tourist.
