Rail coach restaurant set to debut in Mattancherry

Kochi: Southern Railway is expanding its ‘Food on Wheels' initiative by converting decommissioned train coaches into dining restaurants. The Thiruvananthapuram division is set to get its first such outlets at Mattancherry Halt Station on Willingdon Island and at Nagercoil railway station. The initiative, while generating non-fare revenue offers diners a nostalgic experience. "The Thiruvananthapuram division is now set to debut its first-ever rail coach restaurants at Mattancherry Halt and Nagercoil, converting decommissioned train coaches into unique, air-conditioned dining destinations for passengers and the general public alike," said a senior railway commercial officer. The successful bidder will redesign a decommissioned coach with new interiors and decorative lighting, accommodating eight to ten tables. A kitchen will be built at the rear, while the front will be fitted with illuminated décor. Outside, a small platform-like structure will recreate the railway ambience and offer an outdoor dining option. An online booking system will operate round the clock, with a dedicated takeaway counter for those who prefer to collect orders. The Mattancherry Halt site has been chosen for its location—positioned 100 metres from an upcoming waterfront mall, the railway expects strong footfall. Remaining land at the site is also earmarked as a Multi-Utility Hub, with space to be leased out to further boost non-fare revenue. Setting up a rail coach restaurant is a significant logistical undertaking. A decommissioned coach typically weighs between 40 and 50 tonnes, requiring heavy cranes for transport and placement. Once in position, the coach is stripped and re-engineered with modern kitchen equipment, waste management systems and fire safety infrastructure, while retaining its original exterior appearance. The railway has already floated the tender, and an e-auction is scheduled for May 26, 2026. Contracts will be awarded for a five-year period to private operators. The concept has proven successful elsewhere in the Southern Railway zone. The flagship Varahi Vihar restaurant at Dr MGR Chennai Central, housed in a refurbished suburban coach fitted with woodwork and leatherette sofas, serves multi-cuisine vegetarian food around the clock. In the Palakkad division, a 300-square-metre rail coach restaurant is underway at Palakkad Town station. Kerala's first such outlet, built from an old Integral Coach Factory three-tier coach, has also been readied for the public at Payyanur station under the Amrit Bharat Station scheme. By preserving the coach's exterior look while modernising its interiors, the restaurants aim to blend heritage appeal with contemporary dining.