Popular Indian luxury train, The Maharaja’s Express, has been awarded World’s Leading Luxury Train 2012 at the World Travel Awards 2012 held in New Delhi yesterday. The train was one of the contenders for the coveted title of the best luxury train in the world which included the Andean Explorer, Eastern & Oriental Express, Hiram Bingham, Pride of Africa – Rovos Rail, Rocky Mountaineer, Royal Canadian Pacific, The Blue Train, The Indian Maharaja Deccan Odyssey, The Queen of Scots Luxury Touring Train and the Venice-Simplon Orient Express. The train had previously been nominated as Asia’s Leading Luxury Train, which was eventually won by the Indian Maharaja.

The Maharaja’s Express had received similar recognition from Conde Nast when the latter awarded it as the best luxury train in the world. Maharaja’s Express win last night also ended the 3 year streak of the Blue Train which had bagged the coveted title for three continuous years in 2009, 2010 and 2011. The Indian contingent at the World Travel Awards – considered the equivalent of Oscars in the travel and tourism industry – was elated at the Maharajas Express’ election as the best luxury train in the world.