Knowing the Indian Train

I would like to hear some opinions on what's the best class to travel from Bangalore to Hampi/Hospet and from there continue to Goa.....also from Goa to Mumbai.....2 adults and a 10-year-old.....thanks

The best you can afford.

Either 2 or 3 tier air con.

thanks, I was thinking so also....btw. I seem not to find the link to pics of the train-classes anymore but I know there have been one in these threads once.....

There is a link in the Train Information thread, but here it is.

http://www.seat61.com/India.htm

Visit http://irfca.org, a virtual encyclopedia on the Indian Railways.

thank you very much for the link, steven !

Does anyone know how the 2AC coaches are marked so you know which lists to look at?

Thanks!
Shambhavi

The 2AC coaches will be labelled A1, A2, etc.
3AC coaches are labelled AS1, AS2, etc.
1 AC is labelled H1
A composite 1AC cum 2AC is labelled HA1

On the more prestigious trains the no. is printed on a square tin plate and hung on the centre of the coach. On less fortunate trains its scribbled in chalk outside the coach's toilet !

Thanks!

That is incredibly helpful.

Shambhavi

Hi all. Thanks for all the great information on this thread.

I'm leaving for Dehli from London on 6th Feb. Have booked my hotel for the night of the 7th and would like to head off down to Goa ASAP. I therefore believe the 2618 is the train for me.

Does anyone know what my chances are of getting a 2AC ticket are if I book my ticket at the station in the early afternoon of the 7th to board the train at 0955 on the 8th?

Many thanks,
James

P.S. if anyone is planning a similar trip let me know!

Dear Mr.James,
Your observation:-
""Does anyone know what my chances are of getting a 2AC ticket are if I book my ticket at the station in the early afternoon of the 7th to board the train at 0955 on the 8th?""
----------------
@@@Ans: NONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
--------
@@@Please look at this:-
---
You Queried For Train Number Train Name Date (DD-MM-YYYY) Source Station Destination Station Quota Code
2618 MNGLA LKSDP EXP 6-1-2006 H NIZAMUDDIN ERANAKULAM JN GENERAL

S.No. Date (DD-MM-YYYY) Class - 2A
1 6- 1-2006 WL 26/WL 12

2 7- 1-2006 WL 45/WL 27

3 8- 1-2006 WL 26/WL 19

4 9- 1-2006 WL 20/WL 5

5 10- 1-2006 WL 31/WL 9

6 11- 1-2006 WL 12/WL 6
===========================
@@@Please look at this quota:-
-----
You Queried For Train Number Train Name Date (DD-MM-YYYY) Source Station Destination Station Quota Code
2618 MNGLA LKSDP EXP 6-1-2006 H NIZAMUDDIN ERANAKULAM JN TATKAL

S.No. Date (DD-MM-YYYY) Class - 2A
1 6- 1-2006 WL 1/WL 1

2 7- 1-2006 WL 1/WL 1

3 8- 1-2006 AVAILABLE- 0001

4 9- 1-2006 AVAILABLE- 0004

5 10- 1-2006 AVAILABLE- 0004

6 11- 1-2006 AVAILABLE- 0004
===========================
@@@BY the time you approach the Counter, I am afraid the only Berth under Tatkal Quota would be gone!!!!!!
=============
@@@Please note 2617/2618 is a Very Heavily Overcrowded Train, and there is only one 2A Coach (**because the Tatkal Quota is 4 Berths)
==============
V.Srinivasa Prasad
6.1.2006/18.15 HRS.

Option 1: Check if the Goa Express is available

Option 2: Take the spicejet flight - presently available for about INR 4500 - not as cheap as 2A.

VSP: you are checking the wrong month!!!

James: You may however find the situation to be about the same. Why dont you book an e-ticket. Lots of info on IndiaMike on how to do that.

-
Gopal

Dear Gopal,
Thanks for the correction.
================
Dear James,
Please look at the following status:-
----
You Queried For Train Number Train Name Date (DD-MM-YYYY) Source Station Destination Station Quota Code
2618 MNGLA LKSDP EXP 6-2-2006 H NIZAMUDDIN MADGAON GENERAL

S.No. Date (DD-MM-YYYY) Class - 2A
1 6- 2-2006 AVAILABLE- 0011

2 7- 2-2006 AVAILABLE- 0009

3 8- 2-2006 AVAILABLE- 0004

4 9- 2-2006 WL 7/WL 7

5 10- 2-2006 AVAILABLE- 0002

6 11- 2-2006 WL 6/WL 1
-----------------------------
****Kindly note, the position had already turned into Waiting List for 9th February,2006 and 11th February,2006.
---------
***For God's sake, don't purchase a Waiting List Ticket and make your head spinning, till it gets confirmed.However, go for a Ticket with RAC Status, atleast, if confirmed one is not available!!!!
============
V.Srinivasa Prasad
6.1.2006/19.00 hrs.
=====================

Thanks for the advice Gopalk and vsp.

I have registered on the IRCTC site and am now attempting to book an e-ticket. I have entered my From and To as NZM and MAO respectively. I believe this is right?

Anyway I keep getting an Unable To Retrieve Due To Communication failure
error which going by other posts is not unexpected.

I shall keep trying but in case I'm doing something completely wrong let me know!

Many thanks,
James