It’s that odd day when you breakfasted like a pauper and now it’s a tad early for lunch. You know you want to strike a balance between semi-hunger and craving, and a mall on a Monday forenoon suddenly looked like a fair getaway of sorts. So you find yourself seated at a table at The Muffin House at Mall of Travancore, having placed an order for a cappuccino and a rich chocolate Swiss roll. Time ticks by but you see no sign of waiters flitting across the aisle to make that customary quick check. Just then, as if from nowhere, you hear a shrill whistle and clanging of bells from a corner and you wonder whether you are at a cake store or some old-world railway station. A miniature locomotive with headlights beaming is chugging towards you, sans the steam. It then comes to a grinding halt by your table, two “open wagons” delivering your coffee with a creamy heart decoration and the mid-day chocolate cake. Fancy this! Open wagon of the rail steward delivering the order | Photo Credit: Harikumar J S The ‘rail steward’ service, a first of its kind in South India, launched last month at the outlet, has been catching the fancy of visitors. The software-run, custom-built feature that works with the help of sensors marks a cute departure from the “traditional” waiter’s job. “At each of our outlets, we wanted to bring in a new, attractive theme and we felt the idea of a rail steward here would look innovative,” says Nishad Mohammed, one of the co-founders of The Muffin House. Open wagon of the rail steward delivering coffee | Photo Credit: Harikumar J S A U-shaped “track” with buffer stops at both ends runs around the store’s seating area. During stand-by, the train model remains concealed behind the glass and wood-panelled counter. The device, with attached audio output, is powered by “a low-voltage circuit” running along the 26-m long rail lines itself, supported by narrow side walls. The train model weighs less than five kilograms and has the capacity to carry about 10 kg. One of the engines of the ‘rail steward’ | Photo Credit: Harikumar J S Once a visitor takes a seat, the table number is assigned on the software for pinpoint delivery. However, “emergency stops” can also be effected if required. The steady alignment of the track ensures a smooth delivery, says Nishad. The assembled model, with its body made of fibre and metal, comes with two “engines”, one imported from the US and the other from Germany, while the track was made in the UK. “Kids, especially, visiting the store find the toy-like feel of the rail steward amusing,” says Hirosh Mohan, assistant manager. Green light for new ideas!

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