IRCTC opens luxury saloon car to public

Opening its doors to the common man for the first time, Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) operated Railway Saloon Coach departed for its maiden tour to Katra from the Old Delhi Raiway Station with six passengers on board.

India’s first saloon coach with air-conditioned rooms, attached bathrooms and valet services was earlier available for only top railway officials. It comprise of two bedrooms, a lounge, a pantry, a toilet and a kitchen. The luxury coach has a living room, two air-conditioned bedrooms – one twin bedroom and the other similar to a AC First Class coupe with attached baths, dining area and a kitchen.

The cost of chartering this saloon coach is around Rs 2 lakh and the valet service will be chargeable in future. This will be an all inclusive tour where the guests will be offered all the comfort of a hotel. Exclusive staff will be available for services on board. “Railway also provides one AC attendant and one saloon attendant for ensuring hassle free travel,” IRCTC said.

The first charter service was booked by M/s Royal India Train Journeys for its six customers for a saloon travelling from Delhi to Jammu on March 30 and will be back on April 2.

Railways has a total of 336 saloon cars across railway zones, among them 62 are air-conditioned.