Indian Railways to promote Steam Locomotive shed at Rewari as tourist destination

Plans to operate steam engines on select tourist routes By Anish V Punnackattu | New Delhi

In an effort to boost Rail Tourism and specifically promote steam locomotives to provide tourist an experience of a bygone era, Indian Railways plans to operate nine steam locomotives currently housed at Rewari Steam Locomotive shed in Haryana on select tourists routes. While routes for trains operated with the steam locomotives have not been decided, the Delhi-Rewari route is expected to be the first for the steam locomotive. The shed at Rewari, which is the only surviving steam locomotive shed in India is also being developed as a tourist destination. This information was provided by Ashwani Lohani, Divisional Manager-Delhi, Indian Railways, during a presentation on Rewari Steam Locomotive shed and steam engines at meet organised recently by IATO in New Delhi. Lohani presented the potential of the Steam Locomotive shed and marketing it as a Heritage Tourism product to a large gathering of IATO members and invitees from the travel trade fraternity. According to Lohani, the main objective of this initiative is to promote steam locomotive tourism and showcase the glory of these grand old work horses to the next generation. All the nine steam locomotives were restored before the Commonwealth Games held in New Delhi last October to showcase them as a heritage product. According to Lohani, Indian Railways spent approximately Rupees two crore for restoring the steam engines and the locomotive shed at Rewari. “Currently, the project work of steam locomotive shed at Rewari is 90 per cent complete. Apart from the few rooms for tourist accommodation that are yet to be constructed, tourist facilities at the shed include a lounge, restaurant and cafeteria. Both, foreign and domestic tourists have been visiting the shed to view the restored locomotives,” stated Lohani. Referring to marketing possibilities, Lohani said that the product has tremendous potential. “In United Kingdom there are 100 routes where steam locomotives are plying attracting large number of tourists. Similarly, in India there is huge potential for tourist trains operated by steam locomotives and also for the Steam Locomotive shed at Rewari to become successful tourism products and destination in near future. With facilities in place like good accommodation, restaurant etc, I am sure tourists will come and experience a slice of history,” stated Lohani. According to Subhash Verma, Vice President, ADTOI, steam locomotives as a heritage product have great potential but should be developed and promoted in a proper manner. “Tourist trains run by steam engines with sight seeing programmes at various destinations can make for a memorable experience along with visiting the shed at Rewari. Indian Railways should create exclusive packages which can be marketed in international and domestic markets,” opined Verma.