Knowing the Indian Train

HelenR

We didn't see any mosquitos in our 1AC and 2AC cabins.

The temperature was so cold for me that I got a sore throat from breathing that air in. Thus, next time I covered my mouth and nose with the blanket, leaving some space for the air to circulate. Worked out fine for me.

I think the temperature issue is very very personal. And it does vary based on the train. I had to request a second blanket on some trains.

I want to add that India is an addictive place in my opinion. We spent a month, got very very frustrated by the end, but regardless of all its imperfections and annoyences, we missed it as soon as we got out of India! We can't wait to plan our next trip to India. For me, the best way to describe my experience is a love-hate relationship There are lots and lots of things I loved about India, and there are some things that I hated. But in the end, it's the most colorful country we've ever been to and we can't wait to go back. It's addictive!

indiaprof

How on earth did they get that overhead shot of the train toilet? An amazing angle, that must have involved clambering up the pipes that feed down from the water tank above the loo. That's the only thing I can figure.

jamesg200312

hey, couldn't find an answer for this anywhere else here so,

what do you guys do with your valuables when your on an overnight journey on the train? With my money belt i can quite comfortably keep my camera/ipod/money/passport in there, then i was gonna wear joggers over the top for sleeping & just make sure the drawstring is quite tight.

Or perhaps its better to use my bag (quite small, 30l) as a pillow and lock the zips with combination lock with all my valubles in. thing is im worried someone could slash my bag quite easily. I'm quite a heavy sleeper you see, and probably wouldn't wake up if that happened. For the overnight journey's we'd be on 2ac if that makes much difference.

thanks

palerider

You can lock your stuff in your luggage, or just keep it close to you. In between the wall and your body.
The other passengers will keep an eye out as well.
Like it says in the article, you become a "family" quite quickly.
No-one wants their stuff ripped off.

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indiaprof

James,

See me in my picture? That's a little day bag in which I keep my valuables (pick-pockets, take note ). I wear this over my shirt, with the bag tucked under the arm. I've never had any troubles this way. In a crowd, I just tuck it tight under my arm where I can feel it. I make sure the bag is made so that it can't be cut with a razor or won't break off easily. That's usually how the thieves do it. I take the bag with me everywhere, no matter what I'm doing. It basically is a part of me 24/7. I don't have my valuables in my backpack. I have this philosophy: Don't put anything in the backpack that you can't replace easily in India, including the backpack.

If you have money and a passport, you can replace everything else, except your life.

When I'm sleeping on the train, I just tuck the bag around so that it's between the wall and me. Again, I've never had any troubles. I've traveled about 20,000 km on the Indian railways, second-class all the way, and I've probably spent the equivalent of a month of nights on the trains. I have never had any security problems (at least not involving my valuables). Just one harrowing night during which a lunatic policeman decided to spend the night harrassing me because my seat was double booked and I had to sleep on the floor! He would walk by and drop the butt of his rifle down on the floor right next to my head, just to screw with me. I finally complained to the conductor, and they reassigned him to another part of the train.

However, take heart, most of the railway police are decent fellows, and they patrol the train at night. They're armed, so people are usually well-behaved.

But valuables should be safe. Everyone beds down pretty early - around 9 PM, often whether you want to sleep or not. And if I may say so, once Indians go to sleep, they're out pretty much solid for the rest of the night. I found that the only person creeping around in the middle of the night was me. Since you sleep heavily, as you say, you'll fit right in. Everyone will love you.

I've traveled with luggage locks and chains, which is a good idea, but since I compulsively lose things, I just gave up. I never wanted to get to my stop and then find that I had lost my key! I throw my backpack up on my bunk and use it as a pillow, or else shove it to the end of the bunk, since I'm not that tall. I usually also ask for the top bunk, if someone is willing to trade, since it's often cooler up there. A lot of people don't like the top bunk, so they often let you have it. Up there, no worries. No one can reach through the window and get your stuff, either.

Hope that helps.

Nattusbs

Last month I travelled in the Rajdhani from Hyderabad and Delhi in 2AC. To my shock I saw a rather large rat running around. Apparently, it was going to the nation's capital to participate in a rally of regional rats that were protesting about their livelyhood being destroyed by the Lallu administration on the Indian Railways

Cheers

Nattusbs

indiaprof

Or going to march as a special Indian Railways Rat Contingent (IRRC) in the Republic Day parade, perhaps?

I think that's the first rat I've heard of on a train. But not the first I've heard of on a station platform.

steven_ber

Something I've noticed on this trip.....

Instead of my beloved Sleeper Class, I've travelled about 20,000 kms in air con classes on this trip as I'm doing a bit of a project on train classes.

Air Con classes have far more insects and rodents than Sleeper Class (or FC), it must be something to do with the air con system.

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indiaprof

Don't you find the air-conditioning chilly? I'm not sure I'd like it. The first time I went into an A/C bogie, I expected to see sides of beef hanging up.

And I don't like the glass on the windows. I like to smell the smells and buy things through the bars on the window.

steven_ber

Yes, especially in the night, and if you're like me and like to walk up and down the train or sit by th open carriage door, it can seem worse as the difference in real temperature and air con temperature is much more noticable, and I regularly get the sneezes and runny nose that comes with regular temperature changes.

I'll give my full opinions of the air con classes when I get home from my trip, but I've completely had enough of 2-tier air con and won't be using it again (even though I have an Indrail pass for the next 6 weeks and 2A travel would be free), 2A just gets too many ignorant people and I've had enough of staring at curtains for 30 hours.

palerider

It's the reason I don't now go on a/c.
It's crawling with bugs, especially cockroaches.
Sleeper is never a problem with these things.
Poor old stevie, king of the bugs, at least for a little while more.http://www.indiamike.com/india/attac...1&d=1232246393

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indiaprof

I've noticed that in South India you tend to see more middle class, professional types in 2nd class than you do up North. I've always enjoyed train travel in the south. That hasn't always been the case up North. But I'm known to be biased in favor of South India.

steven_ber

Hey, lunch on the Coramandel Express.

palerider

Whip its tail off , and wrap it in a roti.

indiaprof

Paleface,

That completely explains that non-veg railway meal.... And here I thought it was Nagpur roadkill.

Cows? No, no, no. We don't eat cows in India. But I had a steak in Pondcherry once, I'll admit. But that's not really India, right?