NCJ/Nagercoil Junction (3)

Nagercoil Junction Railway Station (Station code: NCJ) is the most important railway station of Kanyakumari district in the Tamil Nadu state of India. The station has four platforms and falls on the Kanyakumari—Trivandrum line in the Trivandrum division of the Southern Railway zone. Nagercoil is a major railway junction, connecting the eastern and western rail-lines. The western line runs through the west coast (though Kerala) and the eastern line runs through the east into Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu, towards Madurai and Chennai. The rail-link to Kanyakumari was established only in 1978, mainly because establishing a rail line through the district posed some challenges for the rail department and took a lot of efforts, especially the western line. The western line that runs to Thiruvananthapuram today runs through some huge artificial ground-elevations and number of hill-tunnels. For nature-lovers, the rail-route from Nagercoil to Thiruvananthapuram should be a real delight. Kanyakumari...
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District is connected through direct train services with all leading metropolitan cities in India, like New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore & Kolkata. These Express trains originate either from Kanyakumari or Nagercoil. Passenger (local) train services and other express-trains run between Thiruvananthapuram and either Nagercoil or Kanyakumari. The journey by train from Thiruvananthapuram to Nagercoil usually takes an hour-and-half. [wikipedia]

Holi Special!!! Beautiful Golden Chariot with KJM WDG- 3A at Nagercoil Junction
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Wishing all the viewers a Very Happy Holi!!!
As our 16381 Mumbai CST (CSTM)- Kanniyakumari (CAPE) JAYANTI JANATA Express pulls into Nagercol Junction, we meet the ultra luxury GOLDAN CHAIOT Express waiting on the side line with 14660 Krishnarajapuram (KJM) WDG- 3A in lead.
The Golden Chariot is a luxury tourist train that connects the important tourist spots in the Indian states of Karnataka and Goa. It is named after the Stone Chariot in the Vitthala Temple at Hampi. The 19 coaches on the train are coloured purple and gold,...
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and sport the logo of a mythological animal with the head of an elephant and a body of a lion. The Golden Chariot operates weekly and had its maiden commercial run on March 10, 2008.
The train, along with the Deccan Odyssey, is designed on the lines of the more popular Palace on Wheels with accommodations, spa treatments and dining. The train is operated by the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation and marketed by The Luxury Trains, whereas The Mapple Group handles the hospitality services on the train.
When the success of Palace on Wheels reached the corridors of the Karnataka State Tourism and Development Corporation (KSTDC), it resulted in the signing of MOU between the state tourism board and the Indian Railways in 2002. Later the Integral Factory Coach (ICF) was assigned with the task to give shape to this luxury train. Around 900 layouts were prepared by the engineers before finalizing the design. Architect Kusum Pendse along with 200 carpenters inexorably worked hard to complete the designs of these railway coaches. The process took around 4 months. Finally on 23 January 2008, Golden Chariot was unveiled on the tracks veneered in classic colors of purple and gold symbolizing elegance and golden jubilee celebration of Karnataka. An inauguration ceremony was organized at the Yeshwanthpur Railway Station wherein president Pratibha Devi Singh flagged off the train. Finally on 10 March 2008, Golden Chariot chugged on its maiden journey from Bangalore to Goa.
The Golden Chariot offers accommodation in 44 cabins in 11 coaches that are named after dynasties that ruled the region: Kadamba, Hoysala, Rashtrakuta, Ganga, Chalukya, Bahamani, Adil Shahi, Sangama, Satavahana, Yadukula and Vijayanagar. It also has two restaurants, a lounge bar, and conference, gym and spa facilities. It has onboard Wi-Fi connectivity, and satellite antennae providing live television service in the cabins.
The Golden Chariot can accommodate 88 passengers, and as of March 2009 operated at around 35% occupancy. Most of the tourists on the train are from US, UK, Japan, France and Germany.
Cabins
Recreating the architectural aesthetics of erstwhile south Indian dynasties are the 44 guest cabins categorized as 26 twin bed cabins, 17 double bed cabins and 1 cabin for the physically challenged. The carvings on the ceilings, wall panels and furniture are inspired from the Hoysala and Mysore architectural movement. State of the art amenities are available such as WI-FI internet, LCD television with satellite channels, writing desk, wardrobe and central air conditioning.
Dining
Golden Chariot features two multi-cuisine restaurants—Nala and Ruchi—serving a buffet spread of vegetarian and non-vegetarian cuisines. The names of both these restaurants draw inspiration from the Indian mythological texts and their interiors are reminiscent of Halebid and Hampi architectural style. While Nala was a legendary king and a chef in the days of Mahabharata, Ruchi is a Sanskrit word meaning fine taste.
Lounge Bar
The on-site lounge bar—Madira—is stocked with an assortment of international wines and spirits. The interiors of this lounge bar draw inspiration from the aesthetics of the Mysore palace.
Conference car
The conference car on board the Golden Chariot offers a seating capacity of 30 guests in all. The car is equipped with modern technology such as 42 inch LCD television, WI-FI internet and audio-visual equipment.
Health and Recreation
The 'Nirvana Spa' housed on board Golden Chariot offers holistic wellness through an array of Ayurvedic and spa therapies. The recreational coach also comprises a fully equipped gymnasium.

Departing from Nagercoil Junction on-board India's longest Vivek Express!! ED WAP-4 charges..
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Hauled by 22727 ED shed WAP- 4, India's longest train, aka 15905 Kanyakumari (CAPE)- Dibrugarh (DBRG) Weekly VIVEK Express departs from Nagercoil Junction 5 minutes behind schedule. And then changes points to move over to the Trivandrum bound line. The other line that is seen in the video heads for Tirunelveli.
Have to admit this was by far the worst rake that I ever travelled by. Broken basins, torn and worn out cushions and seats, malfunctioning and unrepaired switches, fans and lights, insects (spiders, cockroaches, etc), coaches that seemed to have not been cleaned for ages, no toilet doors...
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(making it impossible to go to the same) and extremely stinking foul smell welcomed us.
Vivek follows the Dibrugarh- New Tinsukia- Mariani- Dimapur- Lumding- Guwahati- Goalpara- New Bongaigaon- Alipurduar- New Jalpaiguri- Kishanganj- Malda Town- Rampurhat- Durgapur- Asansol- Adra- Bankura- Midnapore- Hijli- Bhubaneshwar- Khurda Road- Brahmapur- Vishakapatnam- Vijaywada- Renigunta- Jolarpettai- Salem- Erode- Coimbatore Main- Palakkad- Ernakulam Town (North)- Kottayam- Kollam- Trivandrum Central- Nagercoil- Kanyakumari route of NFR/ ER/ SER/ ECoR/ SCR/ SR. It covers a mammoth distance of 4243 kms in 82 hours with 54 halts, and maintaining an average speed of 54 km/hr.