A royal lineage with bloodlines that go back 250 years !
Indian Railways
Since inception in 1844, the Indian Railways has had a rich evolution. Called the East Indian Railway Company, it was founded by the then Governor of India, Lord Hardinge. Under his supervision several experimental trains were introduced from Bombay to Calcutta, but the real breakthrough came in 1853, when the first passenger
train service was inaugurated between Bombay and Thane. The year following that witnessed Lord Dalhousie, the Governor-General of India, formulating a plan to have a
network of trunk lines connecting the principal regions of India. Today, the Indian Railway stands as one of the largest and busiest rail networks in the world. Catering to over 18 million passengers and carrying more than 2 million tonnes of freight daily, it traverses the length and breadth of the country and covers 6,909 stations - a gigantic route of more than 63,327 kms. With a workforce of 1.5 million, it is the single largest employer in the world. Calling it 'big' would truly be an understatement.
The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited - IRCTC
The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited, a public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Railway, is the tourism arm of Indian Railways. It provides a full range of hospitality, travel and tourism services to rail passengers. IRCTC is one of the world's largest e-commerce portal and catering service provider. While its website (www.irctc.co.in) receives over 5.5 million hits a month, the catering arm of IRCTC feeds millions who travel every day on Indian Railways. IRCTC also has a wide range of Rail Tourism products.
Cox and Kings. A journey 250 years in the making
Founded in 1758, Cox and Kings is the world's oldest travel company. Having made its mark in the subcontinent even before the British Raj, Cox and Kings was the first choice of thousands travelling from Britain to Calcutta. Also the first railway agent in Bombay, it grew through the British Raj, through Indian independence and continues to flourish. In fact, Cox and Kings provided a passage to all those who wished to travel from Delhi to London, right from the onset of British Raj to the lowering of the Union Jack in 1947. Today, Cox and Kings India thrives as an independent company - a premium brand in all travel related services in the Indian subcontinent.
Royale Indian Rail Tours Ltd.
IRCTC and Cox and Kings India Ltd. have signed a joint venture to set up Royale Indian Rail Tours Ltd. And they proudly give you their creation - the Maharajas' Express. Bon Voyage.
 |
 |
|
|
|
