The heritage train started operating on 25 December 2018.
Highlights
The heritage train runs from Patalpaani to Kalakund railway station. It gives the experience of natural beauty of waterfalls, hills, tunnels and valleys. The heritage train is full for the next 4 weeks i.e. till 18 August.
Naiduniya Representative, Indore: The only heritage train of the state has started after a wait of four months. As soon as the booking of this train started, the train has become completely full for the next four weeks. There is a long waiting list in both second class and AC chair car. Even on Sunday, many people reached Mhow and Patalpani railway stations with waiting tickets, but they did not even get a place to sit.
Let us tell you that tourists wait for the rainy season for this journey full of natural beauty. This train runs from Patalpaani to Kalakund railway station, in between which there are Holkar era bridges, waterfalls, hills, tunnels, rivers etc., which attract tourists.
Booking full for 18 August
After the announcement of running the heritage train this season, booking started from Friday. By Saturday morning, the train is fully booked for the next four weeks i.e. till 18th August. Actually, the railways is not running this train daily but is running it only on weekends i.e. on Saturday and Sunday. Due to which the train gets booked as soon as the booking opens.
Whereas last year the railways operated this train three days a week, due to which the waiting list was reduced considerably. Additional coaches were also added to this train which is running with two Vistadome and three second class coaches, so that the waiting list could be eliminated. Railway officials said that additional coaches will be added soon to eliminate the ever-increasing waiting list.
Operations began six years ago
The operation of the heritage train started on 25 December 2018. Within a few months, this train had made its mark in the state and the country. Due to the Corona period, the operation of this train was stopped in April 2020. On 4 August 2021, the operation was started again after making many changes in the train.
During this time Vistadome coaches have also been installed in the train. A large number of tourists travel in this train from July to December. After this the number of tourists starts decreasing. As soon as summer arrives, the operation of heritage train is stopped by Ratlam division.
Rail restaurant has not started yet
Many works were done to attract tourists from Patalpaani to Kalakund. The train’s biggest stoppage is at Kalakund railway station, so many facilities like garden, circuit house were started here for the tourists. Along with this, two meter gauge coaches were also placed to start a railway restaurant in Kalakund.
Facility of night stay has also been provided in it. In which tourists could come to Kalakund by heritage train and stay in the middle of the jungle at night. Along with this, there would also be food facility in the restaurant. But even after six years, the restaurant has not been started.