Advice on 37 hour train ride

PeakXV · Sep 30th, 2006, 05:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by steven_ber

Download some Ravi Shanker tunes and listen to them whilst watching the scenery. (especially if you're sitting by an open carriage door.)

I've got his music from the Gandhi soundtrack downloaded for train trips .... and it really is the perfect complement for riding the rails.

machadinha · Sep 30th, 2006, 06:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by steven_ber

Take a copy of the full timetable (in attachment below) so you know how long a train will be at a particular station, notice the 'make-up' time between some stations to help a train arrive on time, (see the timetable in the opposite direction to see how long a train takes between two stations)

I fully agree, but isn't there always the question of what if the train rolls out for whatever reason before you return? LP used to have a funny anecdote on that, ending with the guy finding back his gear neatly ziplocked and all at the station master's somewhere down the line for sure.

I was traveling with a woman once from here to there and she got out to get some cookies or whatever. Sure enough, the train departed and for the next hour or so no sign of my friend in question, no little to my concern. Turns out she was on board alright and just having a nice chat with some fellows of course. Wonder to this day how we would ever have found each other back if she hadn't though. (I since tend to make arrangements on a spot to at least leave behind a notice somewhere at your intended destination. Ah we were headed for Kolkata no less, talk about the needle and the haystack.)

TimMakins · Sep 30th, 2006, 15:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by steven_ber

...
Sevagram, Gandhi set up (and lived in) an ashram in Sevagram because it was the centre of India. (when India included Bangladesh and Pakistan).

That ashram is well worth a visit - its very interesting. You can also stay there - its really cheap, and there are some fascinating people there. Accomodation is simple but lovely, in Victorian rooms. You get to join in with, and eat with the community there - tasty home-cooked vegetarian food. Be warned, though - if you stay, you are expected to join in with the multi-faith worship that starts each morning at 05:00 !!

By the way - some people might be thinking: Ashram - oh, that will be all religious stuff with Gurus - not for me. Well rest assured that like Gandhi himself, the place is a practical venture in understanding. No Gurus there, just people with lots of interesting things to talk about.

Quote:

Originally Posted by steven_ber

...
Chandrapur, wasn't that the name of one of the towns in A Passage To India?

Nearly. The name was Chandrapore - you can read all about it on my Chandrapore page of my website about the locations used in 'A Passage to India'. E.M. Forster's Chandrapore was based on Bankipur, a suburb east of Patna, in the state of Bihar.

Tim in England

corinnbritt · Sep 30th, 2006, 21:08

Fantastic responses so far! Thanks for all the tips and stories. I feel much better prepared.
Another question, I read somehwere (who knows where) that if your train journey is longer than a certain number of kms you can get off midway and resume your trip a day or so later. Does anyone know if this is possible? If so, what are the actual stipulations of this arrangement?
Thanks again!

steven_ber · Sep 30th, 2006, 21:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by corinnbritt

I read somehwere (who knows where) that if your train journey is longer than a certain number of kms you can get off midway and resume your trip a day or so later. Does anyone know if this is possible? If so, what are the actual stipulations of this arrangement?
Thanks again!

(copied from the 'Train Fares' thread, see link in Train Information thread)

Quote:

1... ‘Break of Journey’ rules. (B.O.J.)

A passenger holding a single journey ticket for any distance between 500 to 1000km is allowed to break the journey once after covering a distance of 500km from the starting station.

A passenger holding a single journey ticket for a distance of over 1000 km is allowed to break the journey twice, the first break may be taken after covering a distance of 500 km from the starting station and the second break anytime thereafter.

Some rules to remember: -

1…A ‘break of journey’ can be at any station (after 500 km) on route, and can last for 2 days, not including day of arrival and day of departure, meaning you can have 3 nights stay.

2…Your ticket needs to be endorsed by the Station Manager/Ticket Collector at the station where you break your journey; the endorsement will consist of the Station Code, Station Manager's initials and the date.

3…Your ticket will be a single ticket from the starting station to your destination, but you need to make reservations for all parts of the journey at the same time as you purchase your ticket.

4…Break of journey tickets cannot be used on Rajdhani, Shatabdi or Jan Shatabdi express trains.

5…Any stop to change trains at intermediate stations for less than 24 hours is not considered a break of journey (this can be really useful).

Looking at a particular route, e.g. - Calcutta – Varanasi – Agra – Delhi (1450 km) can show an example of the advantage of ‘break of journey’ rules. (Additional charges not included)

Single tickets in 2A = 1037 + 1026 + 430 = Rs 2493 (Rs 1676 using B.O.J. rules).

Single tickets in 3A = 648 + 641 + 256 = Rs 1545 (Rs 1048 using B.O.J. rules).

Single tickets in SL = 231 + 228 + 91 = Rs 550 (Rs 373 using B.O.J. rules).

Another route, Mumbai – Madgaon (Goa) – Ernakulam (Cochin) – Kanniyakumari. Chargeable distance = 1960 km.

Single tickets in 2A = 1165 + 1221 + 570 = Rs 2956 (Rs 2054 using B.O.J. rules).

Single tickets in 3A = 728 + 763 + 356 = Rs 1847 (Rs 1284 using B.O.J. rules).

Single tickets in SL = 259 + 272 + 127 = Rs 658 (Rs 457 using B.O.J. rules).

I have given details of how to book a ‘break of journey’ ticket on the following thread: -

Understanding Reservation Forms.

A Break of Journey ticket cannot be purchased over the Internet, only at reservation centres in India (or at a ticket window).

Warning, there was a small change in the rules a while ago, I can't remember what it was though.

kart06 · Sep 30th, 2006, 22:32

instead of taking varanasi -chennai .. why dont u try tamilnadu exp from newdelhi to chennai .. and its not that hard man .. also take a look at rajdhani .. which will cost you rs1250 for delhi -chennai .. and it takes 24 hours only provided no delays .. only 11 stations .. and dont ever buy the food the which they sell in the platforms .. i mean till u enter andhra .. there u will get some nice dosas with spicy chutney .. for day time food book with pantry car .. i have taken this ride chennai -delhi and delhi -chennai by tamilnadu in one week ... its not that hard .. actually it was a good expereince .. you may end up have some good friends

happy journey

kart

steven_ber · Sep 30th, 2006, 22:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimMakins

That ashram is well worth a visit - its very interesting.

Good to hear, I spotted it whilst looking far a place to break up the train ride from Raipur to Mumbai, although not many trains call at the station, Wardha Jn is only about 3 Kms away.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimMakins

By the way - some people might be thinking: Ashram - oh, that will be all religious stuff with Gurus - not for me. Well rest assured that like Gandhi himself, the place is a practical venture in understanding. No Gurus there, just people with lots of interesting things to talk about.

I agree, I went to the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad and had a fascinating few hours, I had thought it would be all religious and boring, but I could have stayed there all day.

skinnylatte · Oct 1st, 2006, 23:01

On the Guwahati-Bangalore Express last month, and the 37 hours it took to reach Howrah from Bangalore, I spent my time making video footage of the train ride, and people in them (especially people who sing), with my phone's camera. Talked to a lot of girls, stuffed myself with food and slept a lot, reading otherwise.

It was a lot of fun.

The resulting video.

butterball · Oct 2nd, 2006, 00:18

It was a lot of fun.

The resulting video.

machadinha · Oct 2nd, 2006, 02:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by skinnylatte

On the Guwahati-Bangalore Express last month, and the 37 hours it took to reach Howrah from Bangalore, I spent my time making video footage of the train ride, and people in them (especially people who sing), with my phone's camera. Talked to a lot of girls, stuffed myself with food and slept a lot, reading otherwise.

It was a lot of fun.

The resulting video.

Great stuff!! Makes you feel right home <sigh>

I had a guy like the one in the beginning come aboard in Bengal. What a show! Too bad I couldn't understand a word of it, I think he did a whole conference. Is that a Bengali specialty? Never saw it anywhere else.

Brisso · Oct 2nd, 2006, 06:12

Long trips in sleeper class aren't too difficult ... after a while you come to enjoy them. Secret shame - I often slip a bottle of whisky or similar in my bag - don't consume openly though, can be offensive to Hindu and muslim. Have a swig in the toilets or discreetly if you have a top bunk.

Think twice about smoking the old charis (hash) - have seen too many tourists busted. THe chai/ coffee/ food servers have a scam where they "spot" smokers and call ahead to the police ... the cops board up the line and know exacly who to search. If caught you face an ugly baksheesh situation at best ...

My favorite pastime is sitting in the doorway watching the countryside go by ... hang on tight though.

TimMakins · Oct 2nd, 2006, 21:44

Of course there is another way to pass the journey:

http://tinyurl.com/ppqv4

Is it any wonder there's so much partying in A/C 2-tier !!

Tim in England

vpsingh · Apr 19th, 2007, 20:45

For longer journeys always stick to any kind of air-conditioned class, unless you are travelling on a real superfast train where any reserved class will work. I have done journeys ranging upto 57hours in a stretch (yes sir Brahmaputra Mail once took me from Guwahati to New Delhi in 57 hours instead of usual 44 hours then). My tips - sleep, watch out of window (if you got-one), pretend to read, eat and talk. All Indians love to talk.

vsp27759 · Apr 21st, 2007, 20:36

Dear Steven,

The "another rule" which you have forgotten but which is most important & crucial one is this:

"BREAK JOURNEY ON RESERVED TICKETS
Break of Journey shall not be permitted short of the station upto which reservation has been done. If a passenger seeking on a through ticket requests for break journey enroute, the names of the stations where the break journey is requested must be clearly indicated on the Requisition Form. Reservation in this case will be done upto break journey station only."
============================== ===
##But the above conditions DO NOT APPLY to the passengers holding Unreserved Tickets!!!!

gqsmoothie · Aug 6th, 2008, 20:19

I wonder what is worse: a 30+ hr. train ride in Sleeper Class or a 30 hour bus ride in the US on Greyhound?

I took a bus ride that long and it sucked big time! I would think that at least on the train you can get up and move about more. Plus Greyhound here in the US is pretty ghetto and unsafe, I recall a man at a bus stop saying "sure is a good night for a killing", needless to say, I walked away from that guy pretty quickly.

Sep 30th, 2006, 22:32	#21
kart06 Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: chennai Posts: 6	try tamilnadu exp instead of taking varanasi -chennai .. why dont u try tamilnadu exp from newdelhi to chennai .. and its not that hard man .. also take a look at rajdhani .. which will cost you rs1250 for delhi -chennai .. and it takes 24 hours only provided no delays .. only 11 stations .. and dont ever buy the food the which they sell in the platforms .. i mean till u enter andhra .. there u will get some nice dosas with spicy chutney .. for day time food book with pantry car .. i have taken this ride chennai -delhi and delhi -chennai by tamilnadu in one week ... its not that hard .. actually it was a good expereince .. you may end up have some good friends happy journey kart

Oct 2nd, 2006, 06:12	#26
Brisso Specialist muddler Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Brisbane Posts: 1,084	xmas fun - comforts Long trips in sleeper class aren't too difficult ... after a while you come to enjoy them. Secret shame - I often slip a bottle of whisky or similar in my bag - don't consume openly though, can be offensive to Hindu and muslim. Have a swig in the toilets or discreetly if you have a top bunk. Think twice about smoking the old charis (hash) - have seen too many tourists busted. THe chai/ coffee/ food servers have a scam where they "spot" smokers and call ahead to the police ... the cops board up the line and know exacly who to search. If caught you face an ugly baksheesh situation at best ... My favorite pastime is sitting in the doorway watching the countryside go by ... hang on tight though.

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Sep 30th, 2006, 21:08	#19
corinnbritt Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 8	Fantastic responses so far! Thanks for all the tips and stories. I feel much better prepared. Another question, I read somehwere (who knows where) that if your train journey is longer than a certain number of kms you can get off midway and resume your trip a day or so later. Does anyone know if this is possible? If so, what are the actual stipulations of this arrangement? Thanks again!

Oct 1st, 2006, 23:01	#23
skinnylatte kungfu fighting dhaba wallah Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 269	On the Guwahati-Bangalore Express last month, and the 37 hours it took to reach Howrah from Bangalore, I spent my time making video footage of the train ride, and people in them (especially people who sing), with my phone's camera. Talked to a lot of girls, stuffed myself with food and slept a lot, reading otherwise. It was a lot of fun. The resulting video.

Oct 2nd, 2006, 00:18	#24
butterball Mine's a Haywoods... Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: London.. sometimes.. Posts: 689	It was a lot of fun. The resulting video.

Oct 2nd, 2006, 21:44	#27
TimMakins Surprised and Delighted by Life Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: On the road... Posts: 1,010	Of course there is another way to pass the journey: http://tinyurl.com/ppqv4 Is it any wonder there's so much partying in A/C 2-tier !! Tim in England

Apr 19th, 2007, 20:45	#28
vpsingh Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New Delhi Posts: 101	For longer journeys always stick to any kind of air-conditioned class, unless you are travelling on a real superfast train where any reserved class will work. I have done journeys ranging upto 57hours in a stretch (yes sir Brahmaputra Mail once took me from Guwahati to New Delhi in 57 hours instead of usual 44 hours then). My tips - sleep, watch out of window (if you got-one), pretend to read, eat and talk. All Indians love to talk.

Apr 21st, 2007, 20:36	#29
vsp27759 V.SRINIVASA PRASAD Join Date: May 2005 Location: HYDERABAD Posts: 2,725	Dear Steven, The "another rule" which you have forgotten but which is most important & crucial one is this: "BREAK JOURNEY ON RESERVED TICKETS Break of Journey shall not be permitted short of the station upto which reservation has been done. If a passenger seeking on a through ticket requests for break journey enroute, the names of the stations where the break journey is requested must be clearly indicated on the Requisition Form. Reservation in this case will be done upto break journey station only." ============================== === ##But the above conditions DO NOT APPLY to the passengers holding Unreserved Tickets!!!!

Aug 6th, 2008, 20:19	#30
gqsmoothie Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Raleigh NC USA Posts: 90	I wonder what is worse: a 30+ hr. train ride in Sleeper Class or a 30 hour bus ride in the US on Greyhound? I took a bus ride that long and it sucked big time! I would think that at least on the train you can get up and move about more. Plus Greyhound here in the US is pretty ghetto and unsafe, I recall a man at a bus stop saying "sure is a good night for a killing", needless to say, I walked away from that guy pretty quickly.