Lucknow: What happens when a premium train gets a brand makeover? On the Lucknow-Delhi route, the answer will soon be the 'Sprite Tejas Express'. For nearly three months, one of India’s best-known premium trains will trade its familiar identity for a commercial one, in a first-of-its-kind branding experiment by Indian Railways.

The Lucknow-Delhi-Lucknow Tejas Express is set to become India’s first passenger train to be formally named after a commercial brand, following an advertising deal between the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) and Sprite.

The branding will be in place from August 19 to November 11, 2026, covering Train Nos. 82501 and 82502. During this period, the North Eastern Railway has been directed to announce the service as the 'Sprite Tejas Express' at its originating and en-route stations.

The move follows IRCTC awarding the train’s advertising rights to Sprite through a Letter of Acceptance. The initiative is part of the Railways’ efforts to expand commercial advertising and create additional revenue streams from its assets.

While the name may sound like a permanent rebranding, it is strictly temporary. Once November 11 arrives, the train is expected to return to its regular Tejas Express identity.

And despite often being described as a private train, the Tejas Express is not privately owned in the conventional sense. IRCTC operates the service and pays Indian Railways hauling charges for using infrastructure such as tracks and railway stations.

The Lucknow-Delhi Tejas Express is a fully air-conditioned premium service offering onboard catering and passenger amenities. It also allows group bookings, including the option to book an entire AC Chair Car coach for occasions such as corporate events and weddings. The service was inaugurated by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on December 3, 2021.