Knowing the Indian Train

palerider · Jan 18th, 2009, 10:33

You want Dhal fry with that. sir?

indiaprof · Jan 18th, 2009, 10:45

Sure. dhal fry goes with everything.

Yetijuice · Jan 18th, 2009, 11:40

Indiaprof wrote in post # 290: "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!"

You have my sympathies! More than twenty years ago I was traveling from Kathmandu to Delhi. I purchased bus tickets from Kathmandu to Sunauli (walk across the Nepal/India border collecting the necessary exit/entry visa passport stamps on either 09/14/86 or 01/20/87--more likely the earlier date. Explanation: my nickname is Stats and I have a list of my 22 entry and exit dates for India in my computer.) and Bhairawa to Gorakhpur and a train ticket from Gorakhpur to Delhi. I spent the night at the Mumta Lodge on the north side of the road in Sunauli.

When I reached the train station in Gorakhpur I realized my train ticket was for a train that had departed the station seven hours earlier. I boarded the train that had the departure time I had been told to target. It was an early evening (7 p.m.) departure. I got in the bogey that my ticket had a sleeping berth reservation in. I climbed up to the upper sleeping berth and waited for the ticketed berth passenger to show up. I explained my predicament to him. The conductor soon arrived and I explained again to him. He asked me to climb down out of the upper berth. I knew if I did that I would never get it back. From my upper perch I immediately offered to pay for my sleeping berth a second time. The conductor accepted that 100% profit. He escorted and relocated the ticketed passenger for my sleeping berth elsewhere in the bogey. Everybody ended up happy. Think fast or sleep on your feet!

I had purchased my two bus tickets, the Mumta Hotel lodging and the train ticket with sleeping berth (2nd class not air conditioned) from a ticket office near Bhimsen Tower outside the Kathmandu Post Restante. I lived in Kathmandu for eleven years and never purchased tickets from that office again. I never stayed at the Mumta Lodge again. To assure that I would not get duped by a name change I would only stay in lodges on the south side of the road in Sunauli. The last time I crossed the border (06/10/00) the Mumta Lodge was still alive and kicking. To be fair I do not know for sure that the Mumta Lodge was in on the train ticket scam. I just avoided it on principle. The minimum number of times I crossed the border at Sunauli/Bhairawa is eight. I would have to check the visa stamps in my passport to pin it down exactly. It very likely was 9 or 10 times. I always stayed in Sunauli on the Nepal side of the border because the beer was better!

jamesg200312 · Jan 21st, 2009, 20:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

thanks so much for that response, that was all very helpful! That lunatic policeman sounds pretty damn scary. To hear you've yet to have any security troubles though and have travelled such a distance is comforting.

The more and more i hear from people that know India, it seems the general consensus is that it's a much safer country than the guidebooks make out, which is great

As i've read more and more on this forum it's made me feel much safer even though i haven't stepped off the plane yet. Infact the part of London where I live is probably far more dangerous, perhaps its just that innate fear travellers get when their introduced into such a culturally different world.

But, after about a year of anticipation India is only a week ahead of me, I packed my bag about 4 weeks early out of pure excitement, haha. I've spent the past 7 days watching endless documentaries about India which has only served to excite me more. Ahhhh, can't wait

machadinha · Jan 21st, 2009, 21:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamesg200312

I packed my bag about 4 weeks early out of pure excitement, haha.

Actually if you haven't already, and depending on your intended travel style, taking it (fully packed of course) for a decent walk around your hometown (make it an area you don't know very well for good measure) is a good idea. Can lead to some amazing resolve as to all the junk you really don't need

(Some hardcore travelers drill holes in their toothbrush handles to save weight. Yes folks, every gram does really count.)

jamesg200312 · Jan 21st, 2009, 21:27

quite funny you mention that about the toothbrushes, i put mine in a clamp and sawed it in half. I thought it was a very good idea, no-one else did though. I've done all sorts of unnecessary faffing about with the packing though, i've got this miniscule bottle of toothpaste which i'm sure will only last about 3 days, it was an absolute rip off thinking about it, one of the many over excited purchases i made on the nomad travel website, haha.

machadinha · Jan 22nd, 2009, 20:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamesg200312

quite funny you mention that about the toothbrushes, i put mine in a clamp and sawed it in half.

Length-wise you mean?

jamesg200312 · Jan 23rd, 2009, 18:58

hahaha, what a genius comment, that toothbrush would look hilarious

Jlingoa · Jan 29th, 2009, 10:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

My thoughts, exactly!!

indiaprof · Jan 29th, 2009, 10:36

On really long journeys, the train sometimes makes a halt for 10 minutes or so at a major station, and I usually get down to buy a snack, leaving my backpack on board. Again, never any trouble.

But sometimes the train starts to move, and you don't realize it. There's usually a green flag at the end of the platform, or a light - and often a horn. But at a busy station you can miss all this easily.

When running to jump onto a moving train, even if it's moving slowly, make sure you get a good hold onto the bars by the door, because as the train gathers momentum, it literally pulls you down, like it's trying to throw you under the bogie. If you feel that happening, be prepared to pull yourself up and onto the train.

Once, I was ordering breakfast - bread-omlette - at a place in coastal Andhra, and the train started to leave, so I jumped aboard and gave up on breakfast. Before we were clear of the station, though (I happened to be standing by the door), this guy came running alongside with my omlette! I threw him Rs. 15, and he handed me my omlette - and we completed the transaction just in time, before he fell off the end of the platform!

If you think of it as camping on wheels, the Indian Railways can be a lot of fun.

pibikay · Feb 12th, 2009, 16:08

If you can book in advance there is nothing to beat the IndianRailways for going round India and imbibing the local culture

SHAILESH · Feb 12th, 2009, 16:15

I HAVE BOOKED A RAILWAY TICKET THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE WWW.IRCTC.CO.IN. I HAVE TAKEN AN E-TICKET. CAN ANYONE SUGGEST ME HOW TO CANCEL IT ON NET. ON THE SAME SITE, IT SAYS ONCE THE TRAIN HAS LEFT, IT CANT BE CANCELLED. SO WHAT SHOULD I DO ???

nthGlas_Scotland · Mar 1st, 2009, 17:26

I just wanted to say that I only joined IndiaMike one(x1) week ago and have read through a lot of threads about the Indian Railways. BIG thank you's must go to Shimla, Machadinha, Beach and Steven B for their MANY hours of typing input and getting photos onto these threads to help others who are newbies to IR.
Is it any wonder IR is difficult when on the SD website for the uk they use phrases like "Standard First Class" to someone in western Europe that is a contradiction in terms. Or else the train has a split personality disorder and doesn't know what the heck it is; pmsl.
I'm even registered on the indiarail webiste and done dummy runs so I don't get too stressed when the actual time to planning my trip comes along(hopefully Feb-April 2010.
Happy St David's Day, We'll Keep A Welcome;>)

pibikay · Mar 3rd, 2009, 12:26

Hi Shailesh
You can cancell a e.ticket only through the web and also only from the ID you booked.Log into the ircetc id underwhich you booked, click e.tickets and then scroll down and you can cancell.Alternatively after logging in go to booke tickets History and then you can cancell

Clipioola · Jun 4th, 2009, 06:00

Thanks to Beach for this article.
I've been feeling so overwhelmed with all the information I've read about Indian Railway System, that I'm just about to read this article (printed cause it too long to stay in front of my laptop).. I hope I'll be able to say tomorrow that I'm getting acquainted to this system that sounds so weird to me now; so, THANKS IN ADVANCE!

View Poll Results: Which class you would prefer in Indian train?
Second Class (Unreserved)	36	4.33%
Sleeper Class	255	30.65%
AC 3-Tier sleeper	154	18.51%
AC 2-Tier sleeper	281	33.77%
AC First Class	157	18.87%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 832. You may not vote on this poll

Jan 18th, 2009, 10:33	#301
palerider this is Brad. He's cute Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Armidale, N.S.W., Australia Posts: 2,226	You want Dhal fry with that. sir? __________________ I always wanted to be someone when I grew up, I realise now that I should have been more specific.

Feb 12th, 2009, 16:08	#311
pibikay Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 372	The best way to see India If you can book in advance there is nothing to beat the IndianRailways for going round India and imbibing the local culture

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Jan 18th, 2009, 10:45	#302
indiaprof Account Closed Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In the past, most of the time Posts: 820	Sure. dhal fry goes with everything.

Jan 18th, 2009, 11:40	#303
Yetijuice Old Trekkers Never Die, They Go Over the Next Pass Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Behind the Orange Curtain, California Posts: 200	Indiaprof wrote in post # 290: "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!" You have my sympathies! More than twenty years ago I was traveling from Kathmandu to Delhi. I purchased bus tickets from Kathmandu to Sunauli (walk across the Nepal/India border collecting the necessary exit/entry visa passport stamps on either 09/14/86 or 01/20/87--more likely the earlier date. Explanation: my nickname is Stats and I have a list of my 22 entry and exit dates for India in my computer.) and Bhairawa to Gorakhpur and a train ticket from Gorakhpur to Delhi. I spent the night at the Mumta Lodge on the north side of the road in Sunauli. When I reached the train station in Gorakhpur I realized my train ticket was for a train that had departed the station seven hours earlier. I boarded the train that had the departure time I had been told to target. It was an early evening (7 p.m.) departure. I got in the bogey that my ticket had a sleeping berth reservation in. I climbed up to the upper sleeping berth and waited for the ticketed berth passenger to show up. I explained my predicament to him. The conductor soon arrived and I explained again to him. He asked me to climb down out of the upper berth. I knew if I did that I would never get it back. From my upper perch I immediately offered to pay for my sleeping berth a second time. The conductor accepted that 100% profit. He escorted and relocated the ticketed passenger for my sleeping berth elsewhere in the bogey. Everybody ended up happy. Think fast or sleep on your feet! I had purchased my two bus tickets, the Mumta Hotel lodging and the train ticket with sleeping berth (2nd class not air conditioned) from a ticket office near Bhimsen Tower outside the Kathmandu Post Restante. I lived in Kathmandu for eleven years and never purchased tickets from that office again. I never stayed at the Mumta Lodge again. To assure that I would not get duped by a name change I would only stay in lodges on the south side of the road in Sunauli. The last time I crossed the border (06/10/00) the Mumta Lodge was still alive and kicking. To be fair I do not know for sure that the Mumta Lodge was in on the train ticket scam. I just avoided it on principle. The minimum number of times I crossed the border at Sunauli/Bhairawa is eight. I would have to check the visa stamps in my passport to pin it down exactly. It very likely was 9 or 10 times. I always stayed in Sunauli on the Nepal side of the border because the beer was better!

Jan 21st, 2009, 21:27	#306
jamesg200312 Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: London Posts: 12	quite funny you mention that about the toothbrushes, i put mine in a clamp and sawed it in half. I thought it was a very good idea, no-one else did though. I've done all sorts of unnecessary faffing about with the packing though, i've got this miniscule bottle of toothpaste which i'm sure will only last about 3 days, it was an absolute rip off thinking about it, one of the many over excited purchases i made on the nomad travel website, haha.

Jan 23rd, 2009, 18:58	#308
jamesg200312 Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: London Posts: 12	hahaha, what a genius comment, that toothbrush would look hilarious

Jan 29th, 2009, 10:36	#310
indiaprof Account Closed Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In the past, most of the time Posts: 820	On really long journeys, the train sometimes makes a halt for 10 minutes or so at a major station, and I usually get down to buy a snack, leaving my backpack on board. Again, never any trouble. But sometimes the train starts to move, and you don't realize it. There's usually a green flag at the end of the platform, or a light - and often a horn. But at a busy station you can miss all this easily. When running to jump onto a moving train, even if it's moving slowly, make sure you get a good hold onto the bars by the door, because as the train gathers momentum, it literally pulls you down, like it's trying to throw you under the bogie. If you feel that happening, be prepared to pull yourself up and onto the train. Once, I was ordering breakfast - bread-omlette - at a place in coastal Andhra, and the train started to leave, so I jumped aboard and gave up on breakfast. Before we were clear of the station, though (I happened to be standing by the door), this guy came running alongside with my omlette! I threw him Rs. 15, and he handed me my omlette - and we completed the transaction just in time, before he fell off the end of the platform! If you think of it as camping on wheels, the Indian Railways can be a lot of fun.

Feb 12th, 2009, 16:15	#312
SHAILESH Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: mumbai Posts: 87	I HAVE BOOKED A RAILWAY TICKET THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE WWW.IRCTC.CO.IN. I HAVE TAKEN AN E-TICKET. CAN ANYONE SUGGEST ME HOW TO CANCEL IT ON NET. ON THE SAME SITE, IT SAYS ONCE THE TRAIN HAS LEFT, IT CANT BE CANCELLED. SO WHAT SHOULD I DO ???

Mar 1st, 2009, 17:26	#313
nthGlas_Scotland Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Glasgow Cit, Scotland. Posts: 64	I just wanted to say that I only joined IndiaMike one(x1) week ago and have read through a lot of threads about the Indian Railways. BIG thank you's must go to Shimla, Machadinha, Beach and Steven B for their MANY hours of typing input and getting photos onto these threads to help others who are newbies to IR. Is it any wonder IR is difficult when on the SD website for the uk they use phrases like "Standard First Class" to someone in western Europe that is a contradiction in terms. Or else the train has a split personality disorder and doesn't know what the heck it is; pmsl. I'm even registered on the indiarail webiste and done dummy runs so I don't get too stressed when the actual time to planning my trip comes along(hopefully Feb-April 2010. Happy St David's Day, We'll Keep A Welcome;>)

Mar 3rd, 2009, 12:26	#314
pibikay Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 372	Hi Shailesh You can cancell a e.ticket only through the web and also only from the ID you booked.Log into the ircetc id underwhich you booked, click e.tickets and then scroll down and you can cancell.Alternatively after logging in go to booke tickets History and then you can cancell

Jun 4th, 2009, 06:00	#315
Clipioola Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Málaga (Spain) Posts: 26	Thanks to Beach for this article. I've been feeling so overwhelmed with all the information I've read about Indian Railway System, that I'm just about to read this article (printed cause it too long to stay in front of my laptop).. I hope I'll be able to say tomorrow that I'm getting acquainted to this system that sounds so weird to me now; so, THANKS IN ADVANCE!