Fairy Queen: The World’s Oldest Working Steam Locomotive
Built in 1855, the Fairy Queen still pulls passengers more than 170 years later, which makes it the oldest working steam locomotive on earth. The Guinness Book of World Records certified it as such in 1998. Today it hauls a heritage day trip from Delhi Cantonment to Rewari, and this guide covers its history, the journey, fares, booking and what to expect on board.
Before you plan: The Fairy Queen runs as a seasonal heritage service, typically on Saturdays between October and March, and it has been out of action for long stretches in the past. Always check current departure dates and availability on IRCTC Tourism before booking travel around it.
The Locomotive
| Built | 1855, by Kitson, Thompson and Hewitson of Leeds, England |
| Number | EIR-22, for the erstwhile East Indian Railway |
| Record | Guinness World Record, 1998, oldest steam locomotive in regular service |
| Award | National Tourism Award, 1999 |
| Home | Rewari Railway Heritage Museum, Haryana |
| Maintained by | Rewari Steam Centre, Delhi Division, Northern Railway |
The engine worked passenger and freight services for more than 55 years before retiring, hauling mail trains in Bengal and later working in Bihar. It then spent decades on static display, until Perambur Loco Works in Chennai fully overhauled it in the mid-1990s and brought it back to steam.
A History With One Dramatic Chapter
The Fairy Queen returned to commercial service in 1997, hauling a two day and one night tourist circuit from Delhi to Alwar in Rajasthan, with an overnight stay at the Sariska Tiger Reserve and a jeep safari the following morning. That package ran for over a decade and won the locomotive its Guinness listing and its tourism award.
Then in 2011, vandals broke into the Delhi shed where the locomotive stood and looted parts from it. The service continued under the name Steam Express, hauled instead by a WP class locomotive built at Chittaranjan in 1965. Restoration of the Fairy Queen took several years, and the engine returned to service in 2017, now based at Rewari rather than Delhi.
The Journey Today
The current package runs as a day trip rather than the old overnight circuit:
| Route | Delhi Cantonment to Rewari and back |
| Outward | Departs Delhi Cantt around 10:30, reaches Rewari around 13:00 |
| At Rewari | A few hours at the Rewari Railway Heritage Museum |
| Return | Departs Rewari around 16:15, reaches Delhi Cantt around 18:15 |
| Season | Usually October to March |
| Day | Generally Saturdays |
The train pauses at small stations along the way, including Garhi Harsaru, Pataudi Road and others, so the locomotive can take on water. Those halts give photographers their best chance at the engine in action.
Treat these timings as indicative, since the operator adjusts the schedule from season to season.
On Board
- The rake carries an air-conditioned chair car seating around 50 to 60 passengers, along with a pantry car and a brake van.
- A large front window and lounge area let you look straight down the boiler at the locomotive working, which is the highlight for most passengers.
- Catering comes from the on-board pantry, with refreshments served during the run.
- The package includes the return journey and the visit to the heritage steam shed at Rewari.
The Rewari Railway Heritage Museum
The destination deserves its own mention. Established in 1893 as the Rewari Steam Locomotive Shed, it is one of the last surviving steam sheds in India and now houses a collection of preserved locomotives. Film crews use it regularly, and its engines have appeared in productions including Rang De Basanti, Veer-Zaara, Guru and Barfi. See our guide to the Rewari Heritage Shed.
Fares
| Journey | Adult | Child (5 to 12 years) |
|---|---|---|
| Round trip, Delhi to Rewari and back | Around Rs 6,804 | Around Rs 3,402 |
| One way, Delhi to Rewari | Around Rs 3,402 | Around Rs 1,701 |
| One way, Rewari to Delhi | Around Rs 3,402 | Around Rs 1,701 |
Fares run per person and include GST. Children between 5 and 12 travel at half fare. Foreign tourists pay as per the prevailing exchange rate.
Please confirm before booking: Heritage package rates get revised between seasons, so treat the figures above as indicative and check the current price on IRCTC Tourism. Note also the operator’s own caution that if the steam locomotive fails en route, a diesel locomotive completes the journey, and the return leg from Rewari sometimes runs under diesel traction in any case.
How to Book
- Online through IRCTC Tourism at irctctourism.com, where the package appears under the Fairy Queen listing.
- At IRCTC tourist facilitation centres.
- At the National Rail Museum in New Delhi.
- Through authorised travel operators.
Book early, because the coach seats only a few dozen passengers and the season is short.
Cancellation and Refund
| When you cancel | What you get back |
|---|---|
| More than 15 days before the journey, excluding the travel date | 50% refund |
| Less than 15 days before, including the travel date | No refund |
| Train cancelled by Railways for technical reasons | Full refund, less 1% handling charge |
The full package cost falls due at the time of booking. Confirm the current cancellation terms on IRCTC Tourism, since heritage packages sometimes carry their own conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the world’s oldest working steam locomotive?
The Fairy Queen, numbered EIR-22 and built in 1855. Guinness certified it in 1998 as the oldest steam locomotive in regular service.
Where does the Fairy Queen run?
Between Delhi Cantonment and Rewari in Haryana, as a day trip including a visit to the Rewari Railway Heritage Museum. It formerly ran a two day circuit to Alwar in Rajasthan with an overnight at Sariska.
When does it run?
Seasonally, usually on Saturdays from around October to March. Check IRCTC Tourism for the current season’s dates.
How many passengers does it carry?
Around 50 to 60, in a single air-conditioned chair car with a pantry car attached.
How do I book Fairy Queen tickets?
Through IRCTC Tourism online, at IRCTC tourist facilitation centres, at the National Rail Museum, or through authorised travel operators.
Does the steam engine haul the train both ways?
Not always. The return leg from Rewari sometimes runs under diesel traction, and if the steam locomotive develops a fault en route, a diesel locomotive completes the journey.
Quick Summary
| Locomotive | Fairy Queen, EIR-22, built 1855 |
| Record | World’s oldest working steam locomotive |
| Current route | Delhi Cantt to Rewari, Haryana, and back |
| Season | Around October to March, Saturdays |
| Round trip fare | About Rs 6,804 per adult |
| Booking | IRCTC Tourism |
| Based at | Rewari Railway Heritage Museum |
Few countries can put a locomotive from 1855 back on the main line with paying passengers behind it. The Fairy Queen makes for a short, affordable heritage outing compared with India’s luxury trains, and it stays a genuine bucket-list ride for anyone who loves steam. For more, see our guides on luxury trains in India and Palace on Wheels.
Have you ridden behind the Fairy Queen? Tell us about it in the comments, since readers often ask what the journey is really like.
