Knowing the Indian Train

jehenry · Jan 6th, 2006, 21:33

I think I deserve a pat on the back! I have just booked myself on the 2618 from NZM to Madgaon on 8th Feb in 2AC class!

I'm so proud of myself! Now all I have to do is get to the station on time.

Cheers,
James

jivan · Feb 19th, 2006, 13:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by machadinha

nb Come to think of it I may be getting my rooms proper mixed up with the waiting room kind of thing, not sure now which of the two are called retiring rooms. The latter is usually just a place to sit and freshen up, showers are often provided and otherwise at least a wash basin, no beds and your luggage is your own risk. Can look it up later if no one else steps in with the real deal.

There are 2 kinds of rooms :-
1. Waiting rooms :- This is for all & one doesn't need to pay anything, just show the ticket that u have. This is usually for people who have a break-journey or something. Meaning there is a waiting period.
2. Retiring rooms :- These have to be booked. This is just like a hotel room but inside the station premises. The cheapest & best u can get at some of the small stations on the western beach/coast line of India. This is the best.
One pays something like Rs. 50-70/ & can enjoy 4-5 hrs. of sleep as well as a shower. Relatively clean.

skara · Feb 23rd, 2006, 02:37

This is incredibly helpful
I'm off for 3 months in India next week (first time!)

Printing this off as a handy reference.

danyo1332 · Mar 1st, 2006, 09:35

Thanks!

navinkurian2002 · Mar 3rd, 2006, 12:23

Here is some more good info about the indian train system http://irfca.org/~apub/index.htm

cheers
Navin

aadil · Mar 3rd, 2006, 13:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by navinkurian2002

Here is some more good info about the indian train system http://irfca.org/~apub/index.htm

cheers
Navin

Hi Navin,

Good info but isn't the site updated since 2001/2 which is when the latest information is taken from? It may be of interest to a railway modeller friend of mine as well as for me too. Thanks for sharing on IM.

Cheers,
Aadil.

ch1 · Mar 3rd, 2006, 13:09

I only travelled on overnight trains once, but one thing I did learn was never to stay in the cars directly behind the pantry car. The heat and the smell from the kitchen are unbearable once the train gets moving.

danyo1332 · Mar 3rd, 2006, 18:04

Haha...

fromusawithluv · May 18th, 2006, 22:01

It was a nightmare getting tickets as this is the peak season, so I ended up getting a 1st Class (AC) ticket to Mumbai from MP!! It'll be my first 1st class train ride in a few weeks. I'll let you know how it'll be.

Sadly when my aunt, who was trying to come up here from Chennai, was pick-pocketed just before boarding the train this evening. How crazy is that? I wonder if she can get a refund?! I'm guessing that she would have to have proof (her ticket!!).

Has anyone's else ticket been stolen? What did you about it?

anindya911 · May 18th, 2006, 22:49

If the ticket is lost just before your journey, you can travel on the train provided that you have some kind of ID that validates your name written on the passenger list. I have done that once.

However, the offical version is that you should make an police FIR and show the FIR copy to get a duplicate ticket for a nominial sum.

However, to get a refund on lost ticket is as per my guess not possible.

Anindya

fromusawithluv · May 19th, 2006, 01:22

Thanks Anindya, I'll notify my aunt. You did a good thing. Her ID should have been proof enough. I was telling my other relatives here that she should have boarded along with the police to find out who took her ticket.

I think it's rather late now to do anything - I mean the train had left. See, she was just about to board the train when it happened. I think she should still make a police FIR to get some kind of compensation, which I seriously doubt she will get...but it's worth a try.

Here's another crazy thing...looks like i was misguided by the local travel agent. At first he said it was a confirmed ticket, but apparently now it's a waiting list ticket on 1st class. What's strange is that when I checked online for tickets, the seats seem available... (I've never purchased them online), but different agents said there are none available. BTW, what does WL/AVAILABLE mean? I've often seen WL 1/WL 1, but never the previous?!

Perhaps the tickets are allotted differently meaning agents get a batch, online people get a different batch?! Anyhow, I hope to find out soon whether i'll be able to get tickets to bombay on the day i want.

vsp27759 · May 19th, 2006, 12:08

Dear fromusawithluv,
Your observation:-
"BTW, what does WL/AVAILABLE mean? I've often seen WL 1/WL 1,"
-----------
@@If you approach the PRS Counter/try to book on-line, after the earmarked accomodation is fully booked, then you will be issued WL.1/WL.1. After the WL figures crosses, say 6 and 3 passengers cancel their bookings, then the 7th man's status will be WL.7/WL.4 and so on.
---------------
Presuming that all the passengers with confirmed bookings (presuming the earmarked accomodation is 10 berths), then the PRS says WL/Available because the 4 people in WL would have moed to Confirmed Status. Now, the 8th person will be given the ticket as WL/Confirmed. Still the PRS shows WL/Available because there are still 5 berths. When 6 more persons approach the counter, the first 5 will be issued WL.9/Confirmed to WL.13/Confirmed. The 14th man will be given Wl.14/Wl.1.
-----------
Actual berth numbers will be indicated in the Final Charts.
Please note the Serial Number in the Waiting List never changes.
==========
V.Srinivasa Prasad
19.5.2006/10.15 hrs.

beach · Jun 15th, 2006, 14:01

Very useful info for those who are using the Indian Railway’s International Tourist Bureau.

See the link for a step by stem direction to the Delhi with pictures and a lot of info about other locations in the country.

http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/rai...urist%20Bureau

michelamag · Jun 26th, 2006, 23:30

hi, very u¡interesting explication!!!

I am triyng to book a seat and I would like to know what is it a foreign tourist quota?

phobal · Jun 27th, 2006, 08:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by beach

This is a supplementary to my first JUMBO write-up Knowing the Indian Train . I did a small ‘research work’ with the massive rail fare data and made a chart like this one! I always wondered why the railways haven’t made something like this or do they already have one? The graphs can help you to plan your travel budget visually by looking at the cost and compare among various classes. All the standard costs like reservation fees, supplementary charges, Safety fee etc are shown in the chart, which needs to be added to your basic fare as per the schedule.

The only catch is you need to know the approximate distance between the places you are planning. Use a map (?)

Don’t ask me what are all these titles? I’ll land up in explaining a lot of political recipes in India! All I can say is the ‘Rich’ Indian travel by 1A and the ‘Poor’ by the Sleeper. So the Sleeper is highly subsidized at the cost of 1A. That is what is Socialism is all about!

Less than $100 US to go 5000km in good comfort. Good ol' India.

View Poll Results: Which class you would prefer in Indian train?
Second Class (Unreserved)	36	4.29%
Sleeper Class	258	30.71%
AC 3-Tier sleeper	155	18.45%
AC 2-Tier sleeper	284	33.81%
AC First Class	158	18.81%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 840. You may not vote on this poll

Jan 6th, 2006, 21:33	#166
jehenry Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 27	My first e-ticket! I think I deserve a pat on the back! I have just booked myself on the 2618 from NZM to Madgaon on 8th Feb in 2AC class! I'm so proud of myself! Now all I have to do is get to the station on time. Cheers, James

Mar 3rd, 2006, 12:23	#170
navinkurian2002 Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mumbai,India Posts: 863	Here is some more good info about the indian train system http://irfca.org/~apub/index.htm cheers Navin __________________ It doesn't interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for, and if you dare dream of meeting your heart's longing.

Mar 3rd, 2006, 13:09	#172
ch1 Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: vancouver, canada Posts: 15	More train advice I only travelled on overnight trains once, but one thing I did learn was never to stay in the cars directly behind the pantry car. The heat and the smell from the kitchen are unbearable once the train gets moving.

May 18th, 2006, 22:01	#174
fromusawithluv desi_chic Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: in a dream...thinking of India....and future travels Posts: 206	my first 1st class AC It was a nightmare getting tickets as this is the peak season, so I ended up getting a 1st Class (AC) ticket to Mumbai from MP!! It'll be my first 1st class train ride in a few weeks. I'll let you know how it'll be. Sadly when my aunt, who was trying to come up here from Chennai, was pick-pocketed just before boarding the train this evening. How crazy is that? I wonder if she can get a refund?! I'm guessing that she would have to have proof (her ticket!!). Has anyone's else ticket been stolen? What did you about it? __________________ Om Shanti

Feb 23rd, 2006, 02:37	#168
skara Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1	This is incredibly helpful I'm off for 3 months in India next week (first time!) Printing this off as a handy reference.

Mar 1st, 2006, 09:35	#169
danyo1332 Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 4	Thanks!

Mar 3rd, 2006, 18:04	#173
danyo1332 Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 4	Haha...

May 18th, 2006, 22:49	#175
anindya911 Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 434	If the ticket is lost just before your journey, you can travel on the train provided that you have some kind of ID that validates your name written on the passenger list. I have done that once. However, the offical version is that you should make an police FIR and show the FIR copy to get a duplicate ticket for a nominial sum. However, to get a refund on lost ticket is as per my guess not possible. Anindya __________________ Let Your mind roam ... and the body will follow!

May 19th, 2006, 01:22	#176
fromusawithluv desi_chic Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: in a dream...thinking of India....and future travels Posts: 206	Thanks Anindya, I'll notify my aunt. You did a good thing. Her ID should have been proof enough. I was telling my other relatives here that she should have boarded along with the police to find out who took her ticket. I think it's rather late now to do anything - I mean the train had left. See, she was just about to board the train when it happened. I think she should still make a police FIR to get some kind of compensation, which I seriously doubt she will get...but it's worth a try. Here's another crazy thing...looks like i was misguided by the local travel agent. At first he said it was a confirmed ticket, but apparently now it's a waiting list ticket on 1st class. What's strange is that when I checked online for tickets, the seats seem available... (I've never purchased them online), but different agents said there are none available. BTW, what does WL/AVAILABLE mean? I've often seen WL 1/WL 1, but never the previous?! Perhaps the tickets are allotted differently meaning agents get a batch, online people get a different batch?! Anyhow, I hope to find out soon whether i'll be able to get tickets to bombay on the day i want.

May 19th, 2006, 12:08	#177
vsp27759 V.SRINIVASA PRASAD Join Date: May 2005 Location: HYDERABAD Posts: 2,724	Dear fromusawithluv, Your observation:- "BTW, what does WL/AVAILABLE mean? I've often seen WL 1/WL 1," ----------- @@If you approach the PRS Counter/try to book on-line, after the earmarked accomodation is fully booked, then you will be issued WL.1/WL.1. After the WL figures crosses, say 6 and 3 passengers cancel their bookings, then the 7th man's status will be WL.7/WL.4 and so on. --------------- Presuming that all the passengers with confirmed bookings (presuming the earmarked accomodation is 10 berths), then the PRS says WL/Available because the 4 people in WL would have moed to Confirmed Status. Now, the 8th person will be given the ticket as WL/Confirmed. Still the PRS shows WL/Available because there are still 5 berths. When 6 more persons approach the counter, the first 5 will be issued WL.9/Confirmed to WL.13/Confirmed. The 14th man will be given Wl.14/Wl.1. ----------- Actual berth numbers will be indicated in the Final Charts. Please note the Serial Number in the Waiting List never changes. ========== V.Srinivasa Prasad 19.5.2006/10.15 hrs.

Jun 15th, 2006, 14:01	#178
beach Lost in translation Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: India ! Posts: 2,233	Very useful info for those who are using the Indian Railway’s International Tourist Bureau. See the link for a step by stem direction to the Delhi with pictures and a lot of info about other locations in the country. http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/rai...urist%20Bureau

Jun 26th, 2006, 23:30	#179
michelamag Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: SPAIN Posts: 11	internet booking hi, very u¡interesting explication!!! I am triyng to book a seat and I would like to know what is it a foreign tourist quota?

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