Listen Link: The Maharajas' Express
Some trains move people; others, like the Maharajas' Express, move the soul. On a recently watched episode of Mighty Trains on the Smithsonian Channel, host Teddy Wilson steps aboard what is often called the most luxurious train journey in India—a gleaming red-and-gold serpent of steel that winds its way from the chaotic sprawl of Delhi to the pink-hued splendor of Jaipur. But this isn't just a ride; it's a resurrection of a royal age, a journey through the pageantry, poetry, and paradox of India itself.
As Wilson boards, he's visibly caught between awe and disbelief. It's easy to see why. The train, a marvel of design and indulgence, evokes the private saloons of Indian princes from the British Raj era. Every inch is soaked in opulence: brocade curtains, hand-carved wooden panels, gleaming brass fixtures, and plush carpets underfoot. The atmosphere feels curated for a Maharaja himself—and for the lucky few who ride it today, it’s an immersive portal into the regal lives of a bygone elite.
The episode captures more than just gleaming interiors. It invites the viewer to travel alongside Wilson as he eats, sleeps, and explores in style. His genuine curiosity and enthusiasm serve as a lens through which we, too, experience the train's magic. He marvels at the two elegant restaurants—Mayur Mahal and Rang Mahal—where delicately plated Indian and international dishes are served on fine china under glittering chandeliers. The service is seamless, gracious, and attentive—less like a hotel on wheels and more like a palace in motion.
The journey unfurls like a tapestry. Outside the panoramic windows, India passes by in cinematic frames: golden fields, crumbling forts, children waving from village tracksides, peacocks strutting near shrines. In one particularly moving sequence, Wilson steps off the train to explore Jaipur’s Amber Fort, a fortress-palace that looms over the city like a myth carved in stone. The train's itinerary is crafted to expose passengers to not just destinations but to heritage—each stop a curated immersion into India’s deep and varied soul.
What makes this documentary episode so compelling is its attention to contrast. As the Maharajas' Express glides past slums and skyscrapers, cows and Lamborghinis, palaces and roadside chai stalls, we’re reminded that India is a place where extremes coexist. Yet, the train never isolates its passengers from this reality—it floats above it, yet always remains tethered to the country’s vibrant pulse. Wilson doesn’t shy away from this duality. He acknowledges the privilege of the train while appreciating its role in preserving an aspect of Indian heritage that might otherwise be forgotten.
The history behind the Maharajas' Express adds even more resonance. Launched in 2010 by Indian Railways, it was designed to revive the elegance of princely travel, offering modern travelers a taste of the extraordinary. That vision has paid off—the train has won repeated global accolades and holds the aura of a moving legend. Yet, in the episode, what strikes you most isn't the opulence alone, but the storytelling. It’s in the way the chef describes the layering of spices, the pride in the conductor’s eyes as he walks through the corridor, or the quiet moments where Wilson gazes at a sunset over Rajasthan’s sand-colored landscape.
This isn’t a commercial for a luxury tour. It’s a poetic invitation to experience time travel. The Mighty Trains episode doesn’t just document a journey; it tells a story—a reverent, sensory-rich story of a train that dares to transport not just bodies, but dreams. For those who’ve never been to India, it opens a window. For those who have, it opens a memory.
Watching this episode is to ride the Maharajas’ Express vicariously, but with such vividness that you might hear the gentle chime of the train’s bell and smell the cardamom in the onboard masala chai. It is, without exaggeration, one of the most visually stunning and emotionally evocative travel documentaries on television.
So tune in—not just to admire a marvel of engineering and design—but to fall under the spell of a train that glides not just across India, but through its very soul.
Ref: https://www.smithsonianchannel.com/ {Mighty Trains Season 2 Episode 5}
Above: AI generated conceptual image of a carriage on The Maharajas’ Express
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