Delhi Bangalore Rajdhaani Express -- advice needed.

abhineha

Hi everyody,

Can someone please share a recent travel experience in the Delhi -- Bangalore Rajdhaani Express? are the coaches, berths and service up to the usual expected Rajdhani Standards?

Also, I am planning to book a 2 berth coupe in AC First Class but couldnt spot it as a preference while trying to book for it Online. Any help in this regard would be much appreciated.

Thanks a lot in advance.

wdp4

The 1st AC on the Rajdhani has much better service than the rest of the train. The interiors are better and even the food is cooked on board and served in crockery. If you tip the bearer in advance, you can get even better service to the extent of a limited range of liquor being produced out of nowhere (for an extra cost of course).

On the flip side, most of the coaches operating on this service are nearly 20 years old and are showing it. Cleanliness varies from day to day though 1st AC will be cleaner. Most people who travel by it are not not fare paying passengers but free loaders on some govt. pass or the other. This VIP patronage ensures better standards.

Coming to the choosing of the 2 person coupe option - you cannot choose and book it before hand. In 1st class and AC first class you only are informed of a confirmed / wait listed ticket at the time of booking. Seat #s and coupe / cabin status are known only when the chart is finalised, i.e. 4 hrs before the scheduled departure time.

So there is a chance that you may not get a 2 person coupe.

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steven_ber

An update

The coaches for the Bangalore Rajdhani are brand new, updated and improved coaches, they came into service only 1 or 2 weeks ago, though I can't remember if all coaches used on this route were changed at the same time (at a very quick guess I think there are mayby 4 trains needed to operate this route).

There isn't an option to select a coupe, you can go to the departing station and see the reservations supervisor and request a coupe, but this may not help and I would only advise this option if there is a good reason for needing a coupe, a reason that isn't obvious from your reservation form. (I travelled with a baby, but as I booked online, there was no way to indicate we had a baby, so seeing the reservation supervisor worked for me)

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Train information.

abhineha

thanks a lot wdP4 and steve. Steven, when would you recommend seeing the supervisor? would the day of travel be ok or do I need to contact the Reservation Office in advance?

steven_ber

As far ahead as you can, but at the very least, the day before travel.

nitimath6

Hello Everyone,

I was wondering if anyone has any experience to share about travelling 1st AC on the Bangalore Rajdhani. I have heard a lot of good things but it would be great if someone can direct me to a post/thread on this topic or simply share their experience.

Nit

Mod note:

Have merged your thread with an ongoing one. You should get some answers here

nitimath6

I found a link on rediff which had pictures of the coaches. I am planning on travelling in Aug from Nagpur to Bangalore and looking forward to travelling in these coaches.

http://us.rediff.com/news/2003/dec/15sld6.htm

Nit

wdp4

Niti
These coaches have not yet been introduced on the Bangalore Rajdhani. It still runs on the older Indian design coaches. However, the coaches have been recently refurbished and done up following the advertisment deal signed up with Airtel. For that matter, the Bangalore Rajdhani is now a 400m long advertisement for Airtel.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/edwap4/...7604445267733/

The German design coaches mentioned in the Rediff article are running on the Bombay, Calcutta & Patna Rajdhanis. They are being introduced in a phased manner on other trains as well, but the whole process will take some more time.

nitimath6

Thanks for the clarification.

Sounds like I wont be travelling on the LHB coaches in Aug :-(

Nit