Carriage layout diagrams, PLEASE give feedback.

Minor afterthought

Question 1) where is my seat ... fully answered.
Question 2) Where is my carriage ... being answered but
Question 3) At which end do of the compartment do I get in, has yet to be answered.

Are the low numbers normally at the front of the carriage or the rear, the front end being the end closest to the engine.

Nothing is more annoying to other passengers than us dworks who have to thrust their way along the whole length of the carriage to get to our seat.

Incidentally Steven you are too kind ... but visiting hours are between 2-4 pm and 6-8pm ... some of the nurses (especially Zoe ) are starting to look very attractive, ... bring a scarf and some grapes, but no 'sharpes', as they've stuck me in a side ward with an open window on account of the flatulence.

True; however (in Sleeper Class at least) the seats are numbered outside as well, which should be helpful in boarding at the most convenient end. Provided the train isn't leaving then and there, walking around the outside to the other end of the carriage is certainly more convenient. (Should it take off, it will be slow enough to start to just hop on in any door.)

Took me a while btw to realize again the way to find your carriage number is to look for the yellow signs designating such at the top middle end of any carriage.

& Many stations will conveniently have signs on the platforms indicating where the carriages of any number and type will stop; this is usually pretty precise.

Some experienced travelers know that, but many people don't know where to look for the appropriate information to work out which entrance to board a carriage.

True but many people don't realise that this information may be available ... the number of times I've had to point out those signs to people without making them feel , , , , or .... should they be native speakers of British English having a passing acquaintance with middle majority mores I can at least say and in the best traditions of pantomime 'behind you'...

As I said earlier "the presupposition of knowledge/ common sense by the experienced can be a massive hindrance to the writing of clear instructions for the mere mortal"

I haven't seen them mentioned on the boards for a while, can I ask if the Side Middle Berths were definately cancelled?
Very true Uncle Martin, its good when travelling in India or Uk to be at the station with plenty of time before the arrival time of your departing train & remeber to breath! And also maybe open your mouth and ask someone instead of thinking I can do this and not need help(everyone is out to get me, I'm going to be murdered in a strange land etc etc etc)

Very true and I have also found that if you're looking confused genuine people tend to come to your rescue and will show you where you're supposed to be waiting.

If only we could rely on the kindness of strangers or the freemasonry of the mildly deranged ....

So that naked Sadhu in Jaipur was you?

No I was at the far end of the reservation hall telling strangers that the booking clerk had taken a much needed 'breather' ... honest

This is great job Steven. Very nice work.

Here is my tip but I already sure you think on this.

My only tip is, if it's possible, using so simple English as possible. Using simple word.

You made really good work here and I hope you get something for it. Free ticket to India or something like that. You are worth it.

No, they're presently around still on (quite) a number of trains (or again, in Sleeper Class at least, I don't know about any higher classes).

Drives both the passengers and the Railways personnel to distraction, didn't notice anyone being very pleased with it. Leads to endless debates among all about who sits and sleeps where precisely; good conversation starter as such. (As you can imagine, it thoroughly overhauled the usual seat layout, hence the confusion.)

It's also really no fun to suddenly have to share a three-person bench with four (and so a six-person compartment, with two to the side, with 7 + 2), I can tell you. (Eating your leaky pantry dosa in the middle seat can be difficult enough as it is.) Nor do any co-passengers think so. It really sux, so to speak.

OK, I've finally found the time to do the new description diagram, and I've also made a few changes/improvements to all the other diagrams after reading all your helpful comments.

All the diagrams are not perfect, but it must be remembered that I'm doing this in my spare time and I'm certainly not a profesional when it comes to this kind of stuff.

Again, your comments would be welcome as I can still change things in the diagrams.

I'm going to look into doing an extra couple of diagrams (ECC and Shatabdi CC).

Description diagram









First Class air con







First Class AC/2-tier AC combination







2-tier air con






2 tier air con alternative











3 tier air con






3 tier air con (Garib Rath)






First Class (Non air con)






Sleeper Class (Not air con)






Air Con chair car (Garib Rath)







.

More

Air Con chair class (type 1)






Air Con chair class (type 2)





Bookable 2nd class seat (2S)(type 1, Jan Shatabdi + some other trains)





2S type 2 (3x3)






.

nice diagrams of train compartments...really liked them.

well done that man.

i can't see how they could be done any better.

can't wait to see the article now!

It's all great stuff, Steven!