Knowing the Indian Train

Fresa81 · Nov 15th, 2005, 18:33

I was just reading this poll and the replies and am re-thinking my decision to book all of my Indian rail trips as just ordinary sleeper class!

Apparently 2AC is the way to go for long trips .... or is it??

I've already booked the Delhi-Varanasi train as SL class, I guess that's ok, but what about the long hauls up to Pathankot? 2AC would be too cold wouldn't it - don't the trains crank up the AC, even in winter??

Also, I know that meals are provided in 2AC, but what about ordinary sleeper? There are just just vendors at the station??

Sorry for the dumb questions guys, but I'm hoping that a good night's sleep won't be a luxury reserved only for the AC classes .......

!!

aadil · Nov 15th, 2005, 21:35

>>>> I was just reading this poll and the replies and am re-thinking my decision to book all of my Indian rail trips as just ordinary sleeper class!

Apparently 2AC is the way to go for long trips .... or is it??

I've already booked the Delhi-Varanasi train as SL class, I guess that's ok, but what about the long hauls up to Pathankot? 2AC would be too cold wouldn't it - don't the trains crank up the AC, even in winter??

Also, I know that meals are provided in 2AC, but what about ordinary sleeper? There are just just vendors at the station??

Sorry for the dumb questions guys, but I'm hoping that a good night's sleep won't be a luxury reserved only for the AC classes .......

!!

Hi Fresa,

Well, it would not be a problem in the sleeper class as long as you are up there in the upper berth if possible as you have no one to disturb you at night. And about meals there is a pantry car on the train or even the vendors from the pantry car come and serve your meal on the train where you are seated and charge you only after you've eaten your food!!! Ofcourse there are no tables where you can place your stainless steel plate with demarkations for the rice, dal, yogurt, vegetable and pickle that you will get in your vegetarian thali or a chicken or boiled egg gravy in the non vegetarian one. This is the fixed menu on most trains in India and the cost is less than one US dollar. At lunch or dinner times the staff will come around an hour before the serving time and take your consent for the food you want and note your seat number and charge you later on when collecting the plates. At other times they serve breakfast or snacks also. This is besides the unauthorised vendors selling stuff inside the trains. You can also buy food on any of the stations that the train stops for a long time so you don't miss the train while you go get your food!!!

Hope you have a nice time on and off the trains in India!!!

Cheers,
Aadil.

Fresa81 · Nov 16th, 2005, 07:19

Thanks for the info aadil - so far I've only booked one overnighter and I *did* remember to book 'upper berth' in case I need to hide away and sleep sometime in those 15 hours that I'll be on the train ... ohhhh

The price difference between ordinary SL and 2AC sleeper is about three-fold!!! ... anyway, I don't really consider myself a 'princess' so I don't mind roughing it!

... about 7 weeks to go .... c'mon!

SinghandSons.Com · Nov 16th, 2005, 18:26

Is it cheaper to book when you are over there?
Thanks in advance
Jag

beach · Nov 27th, 2005, 14:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by SinghandSons.Com

Is it cheaper to book when you are over there?
Thanks in advance
Jag

Yes. It is !!!

But consider various aspects like....how close is your date of travel (once you are already in india), the locations (if there's a reservation counter available - though there are hundreds of them located at all big and not so big towns and cities ), what time of the year (you may have to stand in long queues - in me places the so called 'sitting queques' with row of chairs!), etc etc

The Chosen One · Dec 5th, 2005, 03:26

Hello there, couple of questions. I have read this whole thread and it answers most of my questions. I am still a bit confused about the differences between 1AC and 2AC. If I understand it right, 3AC is just the Air conditioned SL. Correct me if I am wrong. Also, I noticed that most of these trains don't stop at the stations more than 2 minutes. How do you know where your assigned coach is going to be on the platform? I am afraid that would waste 2 minutes running up and down the platform! Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

InsideTheOutdoors · Dec 5th, 2005, 07:30

Great info beach.... keep it up...!

I never bothered to find out the difference between various classes, facilities etc but this thread is just super cool.....

Now I am an informed train traveller....Thanks

The Chosen One · Dec 5th, 2005, 09:09

I know that the New Delhi station is indicated as NDLS on the booking site. How about old Delhi? Is it DLI(delhi) or DEC(Delhi Cantt). Thanks in advance.

Nevemind I answered my ow question.

Thanks

Fresa81 · Dec 5th, 2005, 09:10

Pretty sure its 'DLI'

pezworld · Dec 5th, 2005, 10:13

Find a hotel in Mumbai, reserve it now, book the tickets after you reserve the hotel and have the tickets sent there? They'd likely hold the tickets all that time.

Can others confirm this will work?

vsp27759 · Dec 5th, 2005, 11:01

Dear Chosen One,
Your observation:-
""I am still a bit confused about the differences between 1AC and 2AC. If I understand it right, 3AC is just the Air conditioned SL. Correct me if I am wrong.""
------------
@@@In IAC, there will be 18 Berths distributed in Six Coupes, that is, Four Berths each in 3 Coupes and Two Berths in 3 Coupes, and these Coupes will also have Doors, to be locked from inside.
-----
@@@In so far as 3AC is concerned, you are more or less correct, because in Air Con 3AC, there will be 64 Berths and in non-Air Con Sleeper there will be 72 Berths.
-------
@@@In 2AC there will be 46 Berths. In other words, if you remove the Middle Berths in 3AC, it becomes 2AC (46+18MBs=64!!!!)
===========================
""Also, I noticed that most of these trains don't stop at the stations more than 2 minutes. How do you know where your assigned coach is going to be on the platform?""
-----
@@@ I agree this would be a problem for new-comers. For them, the local staff in the Station or the Porters would help.
====================
V.Srinivasa Prasad
5.12.2005/10.10 hrs.

The Chosen One · Dec 5th, 2005, 11:18

has anyone had any type of an experience with the i-tickets vs e-tickets? When you book online, it gives you these options. It sounds like that e-ticket options, I can just print out the tix at home. Can anyone cofirm this??

Thanks

The Chosen One · Dec 5th, 2005, 11:21

Also, VSP, thanks for your help. Could you also tell me if the 2AC has any privacy? You mentioned that 1AC has doors that can be locked from inside, I am just curious if there is a similar mechanism for 2AC.

Thanks again for your help.

vsp27759 · Dec 5th, 2005, 11:50

Dear Chosen One,
2AC has got only ""Curtains"" including for those sleeping on Side Lower Berth and Side Upper Berth.
==============
@@@If you can afford, and if you are TWO (or) FOUR (or) SIX people, perhaps you may opt for IAC.
---------
@@@But, in Broad Gauge,there very few Trains which have 18-berthed IAC Coaches whereas most of the Trains have got composite IAC-cum-2A Coach in which the IAC portion will have only 10 Berths, that is, Two 4-berthed Coupes and One 2-berthed Coupe.
==============
V.Srinivasa Prasad
5.12.2005/11.00 hrs.

cyberhippie · Dec 5th, 2005, 12:27

You can only book printable E tickets on very few trains around 12 trains I believe.

Works well by all accounts!!

View Poll Results: Which class you would prefer in Indian train?
Second Class (Unreserved)	36	4.28%
Sleeper Class	258	30.68%
AC 3-Tier sleeper	155	18.43%
AC 2-Tier sleeper	284	33.77%
AC First Class	159	18.91%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 841. You may not vote on this poll

Nov 15th, 2005, 21:35	#137
aadil Aircraft Service Engineer, Astronomer & Traveller Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Mumbai, India. (Lat 18.967 N, Long 72.833 E, Alt 11 m) Posts: 2,038	>>>> I was just reading this poll and the replies and am re-thinking my decision to book all of my Indian rail trips as just ordinary sleeper class! Apparently 2AC is the way to go for long trips .... or is it?? I've already booked the Delhi-Varanasi train as SL class, I guess that's ok, but what about the long hauls up to Pathankot? 2AC would be too cold wouldn't it - don't the trains crank up the AC, even in winter?? Also, I know that meals are provided in 2AC, but what about ordinary sleeper? There are just just vendors at the station?? Sorry for the dumb questions guys, but I'm hoping that a good night's sleep won't be a luxury reserved only for the AC classes ....... !! Hi Fresa, Well, it would not be a problem in the sleeper class as long as you are up there in the upper berth if possible as you have no one to disturb you at night. And about meals there is a pantry car on the train or even the vendors from the pantry car come and serve your meal on the train where you are seated and charge you only after you've eaten your food!!! Ofcourse there are no tables where you can place your stainless steel plate with demarkations for the rice, dal, yogurt, vegetable and pickle that you will get in your vegetarian thali or a chicken or boiled egg gravy in the non vegetarian one. This is the fixed menu on most trains in India and the cost is less than one US dollar. At lunch or dinner times the staff will come around an hour before the serving time and take your consent for the food you want and note your seat number and charge you later on when collecting the plates. At other times they serve breakfast or snacks also. This is besides the unauthorised vendors selling stuff inside the trains. You can also buy food on any of the stations that the train stops for a long time so you don't miss the train while you go get your food!!! Hope you have a nice time on and off the trains in India!!! Cheers, Aadil. __________________ Climb high; climb far; Your goal, the sky, Your aim, the stars!!!

Dec 5th, 2005, 07:30	#142
InsideTheOutdoors Highway Hermit and the Invincible Shutter Speed Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bangalore...at present... Posts: 98	Great info beach.... keep it up...! I never bothered to find out the difference between various classes, facilities etc but this thread is just super cool..... Now I am an informed train traveller....Thanks __________________ "Live, Love, Shanti, Shiva

Dec 5th, 2005, 09:10	#144
Fresa81 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: india Posts: 165	Pretty sure its 'DLI' __________________ Whereever you go, there you are.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Nov 15th, 2005, 18:33	#136
Fresa81 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: india Posts: 165	I was just reading this poll and the replies and am re-thinking my decision to book all of my Indian rail trips as just ordinary sleeper class! Apparently 2AC is the way to go for long trips .... or is it?? I've already booked the Delhi-Varanasi train as SL class, I guess that's ok, but what about the long hauls up to Pathankot? 2AC would be too cold wouldn't it - don't the trains crank up the AC, even in winter?? Also, I know that meals are provided in 2AC, but what about ordinary sleeper? There are just just vendors at the station?? Sorry for the dumb questions guys, but I'm hoping that a good night's sleep won't be a luxury reserved only for the AC classes ....... !!

Nov 16th, 2005, 07:19	#138
Fresa81 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: india Posts: 165	Thanks for the info aadil - so far I've only booked one overnighter and I did remember to book 'upper berth' in case I need to hide away and sleep sometime in those 15 hours that I'll be on the train ... ohhhh The price difference between ordinary SL and 2AC sleeper is about three-fold!!! ... anyway, I don't really consider myself a 'princess' so I don't mind roughing it! ... about 7 weeks to go .... c'mon!

Nov 16th, 2005, 18:26	#139
SinghandSons.Com Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: London Posts: 29	Is it cheaper to book when you are over there? Thanks in advance Jag

Dec 5th, 2005, 03:26	#141
The Chosen One Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Madison WI USA Posts: 78	Hello there, couple of questions. I have read this whole thread and it answers most of my questions. I am still a bit confused about the differences between 1AC and 2AC. If I understand it right, 3AC is just the Air conditioned SL. Correct me if I am wrong. Also, I noticed that most of these trains don't stop at the stations more than 2 minutes. How do you know where your assigned coach is going to be on the platform? I am afraid that would waste 2 minutes running up and down the platform! Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

Dec 5th, 2005, 09:09	#143
The Chosen One Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Madison WI USA Posts: 78	I know that the New Delhi station is indicated as NDLS on the booking site. How about old Delhi? Is it DLI(delhi) or DEC(Delhi Cantt). Thanks in advance. Nevemind I answered my ow question. Thanks

Dec 5th, 2005, 10:13	#145
pezworld Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 122	Find a hotel in Mumbai, reserve it now, book the tickets after you reserve the hotel and have the tickets sent there? They'd likely hold the tickets all that time. Can others confirm this will work?

Dec 5th, 2005, 11:01	#146
vsp27759 V.SRINIVASA PRASAD Join Date: May 2005 Location: HYDERABAD Posts: 2,725	Dear Chosen One, Your observation:- ""I am still a bit confused about the differences between 1AC and 2AC. If I understand it right, 3AC is just the Air conditioned SL. Correct me if I am wrong."" ------------ @@@In IAC, there will be 18 Berths distributed in Six Coupes, that is, Four Berths each in 3 Coupes and Two Berths in 3 Coupes, and these Coupes will also have Doors, to be locked from inside. ----- @@@In so far as 3AC is concerned, you are more or less correct, because in Air Con 3AC, there will be 64 Berths and in non-Air Con Sleeper there will be 72 Berths. ------- @@@In 2AC there will be 46 Berths. In other words, if you remove the Middle Berths in 3AC, it becomes 2AC (46+18MBs=64!!!!) =========================== ""Also, I noticed that most of these trains don't stop at the stations more than 2 minutes. How do you know where your assigned coach is going to be on the platform?"" ----- @@@ I agree this would be a problem for new-comers. For them, the local staff in the Station or the Porters would help. ==================== V.Srinivasa Prasad 5.12.2005/10.10 hrs.

Dec 5th, 2005, 11:18	#147
The Chosen One Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Madison WI USA Posts: 78	has anyone had any type of an experience with the i-tickets vs e-tickets? When you book online, it gives you these options. It sounds like that e-ticket options, I can just print out the tix at home. Can anyone cofirm this?? Thanks

Dec 5th, 2005, 11:21	#148
The Chosen One Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Madison WI USA Posts: 78	Also, VSP, thanks for your help. Could you also tell me if the 2AC has any privacy? You mentioned that 1AC has doors that can be locked from inside, I am just curious if there is a similar mechanism for 2AC. Thanks again for your help.

Dec 5th, 2005, 11:50	#149
vsp27759 V.SRINIVASA PRASAD Join Date: May 2005 Location: HYDERABAD Posts: 2,725	Dear Chosen One, 2AC has got only ""Curtains"" including for those sleeping on Side Lower Berth and Side Upper Berth. ============== @@@If you can afford, and if you are TWO (or) FOUR (or) SIX people, perhaps you may opt for IAC. --------- @@@But, in Broad Gauge,there very few Trains which have 18-berthed IAC Coaches whereas most of the Trains have got composite IAC-cum-2A Coach in which the IAC portion will have only 10 Berths, that is, Two 4-berthed Coupes and One 2-berthed Coupe. ============== V.Srinivasa Prasad 5.12.2005/11.00 hrs.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
indian train humour	steven_ber	Humour - It Only Happens in India	10	Feb 24th, 2009 00:32
Indian train accident.....	PRIYA	India Travel News and Commentary	36	Oct 9th, 2005 21:17
Indian Train Crash	seventies'hippy	India Travel News and Commentary	0	Feb 5th, 2005 02:52
freestay for traveler knowing italian cooking	rangers	Lodging and Hotels in India	0	Apr 14th, 2004 16:59

Dec 5th, 2005, 12:27	#150
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,009	You can only book printable E tickets on very few trains around 12 trains I believe. Works well by all accounts!!