RE: India :~sleeper train
Hi Tigress,
India has a great rail network, but it's a bit complex for the beginner. :DThere are no fewer than seven classes of seat. It depends on where you are going and the route? Where to from Delhi?
Air cond. isn't the way I do it as it's nice to mix, so I can't speak from experience unfortunately. In fact, I am wondering if you are going to Rajasthan? If so, night travel can be absolutely freezing, I read(the desert is cold at night) so air con. would be the least of your needs ;)but I understand you get a bedroll with a blanket. If it is Rajasthan be prepared (I hear) to wrap up at night.
I'm told that the class of rail you are talking about may have two or may have three people per compartment; three bunks above each other can be a bit cramped but it's OK. It'll depend on your route and the particular train.
I haven't followed the link, but this link should help from the UK with India rail travel: [link= http://www.indiarail.co.uk ]www.indiarail.co.uk[/link]
There may also be ladies' compartments, but the value in that can be offset by the fact any companions may have children in with them .... 😮
Have fun,
V 😉
RE: India :~sleeper train
Hi Tigress
An eco tour sounds wonderful - hope you enjoy it.
But I'd like to clarify a little some of the comments above - I've just been doing a lot of rail travelling, though admittedly in the South of India which is different to the North.
I don't believe you can get a compartment all to yourself: as Prashna says the most common is two tier AC which means four people in a compartment. Down here in the South there is no door to the compartment, only curtains. And only a very small table by the window. If the carriage is old then the windows get very dirty and it is difficult to see out. Also there is not usually a restaurant car but vendors get on at every stop and walk thru the carriage selling various things. In AC compartments you get two sheets, a pillow and a blanket. They can sometimes be old and stained.
However there are certain trains, that are considerably posher than others and food is included and brought to you by your carriage boys who look after you somewhat like air stewards. Also there are 'heritage' trains, similar to the Orient Express, and these would be much more luxurious and would have a dining car. These are very expensive though.
Venetian is welcome to travel non AC (ie 2nd class sleeper). I always used to travel in this class to save money but there are three bunks on each side of the compartment and it's very claustrophobic - also often very hot, sweaty and smelly. The last time I travelled non AC I shared my compartment with rats, mice and cockroaches. However having said that, onone of the recent journeys I made in AC I saw four young rats race through my compartment before we left the station!!! (Hope this doesn't put you off, but India is India!!:D)
But a two tier AC compartment is big - it's not a small space. You would not feel claustrophobic and if you have the lower berth, then you should have no problems at all. Please don't not book your holiday for the sake of one overnight journey. You'll be fine and it will be a true adventure.
Love
Sunanda xxx
RE: India :~sleeper train
But a two tier AC compartment is big - it's not a small space. You would not feel claustrophobic and if you have the lower berth, then you should have no problems at all. Please don't not book your holiday for the sake of one overnight journey. You'll be fine and it will be a true adventure.
thanks sunanda, that is the info I needed to hear.
I have been to India twice before, but this would be the first time a train trip is involved..and small spaces can be quite a ..shall we say 'opportunity for learning'
tigress
RE: India :~sleeper train
Hi Tigress,
You will find a comprehensive map of the Indian Rail Network here:
[link= http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/maps/all_india.htm ]http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/maps/all_india.htm[/link]
To find distances between any two places you might find this link useful:
[link= http://www.geobytes.com/CityDistanceTool.htm ]http://www.geobytes.com/CityDistanceTool.htm[/link]
There are several types of tracks in India. The most imporatant one for your purpose is the BG, Broad Gauge. The other gauges are:
MG _ Metre Gauge - less common
NG - Narrow gauge - in hilly areas.
Other even rarer gauges exist in hilly areas.
As for classes in trains, in decreasing order of cost and comfort are:
1A = First Class A/c (Air Conditioned)
2A = 2-tier A/c
3A = 3-tier A/c
FC = First Class
SL = Sleeper Class
CC = A/c Chair Car (exceleent for day travel, eg by Shatabdi Expresses)
1A and 2A will both be very comfortable and NOT claustrophobic, as Sunanda said.
I have travelled extensively on various trains in North India, both by day and night. I would have no hesitation to travel by these classes.
As Sunanda said, the window can be difficult to see through because these are NOT cleaned frequently. In the better luxury trains Rajdhani, for example, you might get an actual door between the compartment and the corridor. Otherwise there might be just a curtain, especially in lower classes.
Compartment in A/c classes will be locked at either end with an attendant by the door. Very secure, indeed.
Toilets - expect both WPWC (Western Pattern WC) and IPWC (Indian Pattern WC). Not always very clean but should be passable in A/c classes.
Food - There should be waiter service.
Sheets - Every overnight passenger should be provided with a freshly laundered sheet and clean blanket. If there is problem ask the guard, who will come round to chaeck your tickets. Don't hesitate to demand fresh clean sheets. You will get them.
Trains are a comparativelyslow in India. For example the Rajdhani Express from New Delhi to Howrah(HWH) for Kolkata takes about 17 hours to cover a distance of 812 miles (straight line distance), which yields a journey speed of 48mph.
And that is probably the fastest train in India.
The link that Venetian provided - is a good one. I have used them myself. But they are only agents in UK, much like travel agents; but better because they specialise in India.
The site I linked to is the official one which is more comprehensive.
If you care to mention your destination stations I might be able to give more specific info.
Regards.
Prashna
RE: India :~sleeper train
LOL, Sunanda,
As if your post would put anyone off Indian trains! :D:DI had to chuckle, though I appreciate you are telling it like it is.
One thing is, in the past I preferred to have a top bunk since - to be quite frank - people can be very inquisitive, and just to get a bit of peace you can (in 2nd class this works anyway) go up top to be by yourself, while others are still free to sit.
Rats, mice, and cockroaches? I can see it's going to be an interesting time. I didn't get that last time here, but maybe it's deteriorated? The only thing I DO remember is a night trip in pitch-black to Delhi with me on the top bunk. An air vent was above my face, and zillions of big (but invisible in the total darkness) insects with legs, wings, and whatever kept shooting through the vent onto my face. :D:DThere were a few internal yelps!! - as you never could see what exactly it was. :D:D
Presumably AC etc doesn't include such pleasures...
V xxx