Knowing the Indian Train

steven_ber · May 7th, 2005, 12:56

If it is the train I think it is, it departs at 21:30. (arr 08:25) Train 6222 (Chennai - Mysore Kaveri Express)

There only seems to be one 2A carriage on that train.

You will probably struggle to get your updated PNR info, the website has been crap all week.

Your waitlist is still WL 11 as nobody has cancelled yet. (18 people are now on the waitlist)

It is difficult to tell if your ticket will get confirmed, mainly because it is for a Friday night.

There is no foreign tourist quota for that train (though my info (for quota's on Southern Railways) is for 2 years ago)

I can't get any info about waiting list's in 3A for that train, the website has all but give up.

One option if your tickets don't get confirmed is the Shatabdi on Saturday morning.

Train 2007 departs Chennai Central (not Tuesdays) at 06:00 and gets to Mysore at 13:00.

Air con chair car = Rs 645

You can buy tickets for this train over the Internet, or next to the platform at Chennai Central about an hour before the train departs.

If you buy tickets for the Shatabdi over the Internet, you can cancel them if your berths on the original train get confirmed.

FROM YOUR OTHER THREAD.

If there is a 'ladies only sleeper' it will only be an 8th of a sleeper carriage, the rest of the carriage will contain men.

When I say a 'sleeper carriage' I mean Sleeper Class (not air conditioned), nowhere near the comfort levels of 2A.

Lotuse · May 7th, 2005, 13:13

[quote=steven_ber]If it is the train I think it is, it departs at 21:30. (arr 08:25) Train 6222 (Chennai - Mysore Kaveri Express)

That's the train.

And, gosh, thank you so much for checking both threads. I am a LITTLE bit anxious about getting to Mysore by the 14th, although if it doesn't happen, it doesn't happen. Good to know what they mean by 'ladies sections', too.

Great advice re, booking on the day train although I dread the thought of getting up that early. Yuk! About how much prior to train departure should I get to the station, day or night?

Anyway, off to book that ticket now. There are still a few seats left, so thank you again!

steven_ber · May 7th, 2005, 13:26

I would never arrive with less than an hour to spare, though you could comfortably find your berth within 30 minutes of arriving at the station.

It is hard to imagine having too much time in a busy train station in India, there is so much to see, always something happening (and I'm not talking about trains), you will see what I mean when you get there.

Keep an eye on your luggage before & during departure, as in railway stations all over the world, that is the most likely time for something to go missing, another reason for arriving early and not being rushed.

Lotuse · May 7th, 2005, 13:30

Am now confirmed for the Shatabdi Express-thank you!

So, if I go to the train station Friday night and it ends up that not enough people have cancelled, is there a special waiting room where one can be semi-comfortable where I could sit for about 5 hours (ugh!) until it's time to get on the morning train? Doesn't seem to make much sense to get back to the hotel, etc.

Would sure appreciate your suggestions.

Lotuse · May 7th, 2005, 13:44

Yeah, there's always something going on at train stations. Ya gotta love 'em ... only too bad it'll be in the middle of the night. Might be too tired to enjoy the station the way it should be. Just hope I won't be too tired to keep an eye on the luggage!

And, speaking of late and tired, it's waaay past my bedtime here. So, if you have any other advice, I'll be checking for those valuable tidbits first thing when I wake up .

By the way, you're a gem for taking the time to answer.

Lotuse · May 7th, 2005, 13:59

No, I'm not sleeping yet though I should be.

Just read in the Lonely Planet re, retiring rooms at train stations. Anybody ever stay in them? They actually have beds? And, if one takes advantage of these rooms, then one should take luggage to 'left luggage', yes?

vsp27759 · May 7th, 2005, 15:13

Dear Mr.Lotuse,
Your observation:
""but my ticket only states "WL 11". ""
-----------
@@@Under no circumstances, there will be only a single number for the Waiting List. It has to be WL..../WL........... (OR) WL.............../RAC............. (OR) WL/CONFIRMED (OR) RAC.10/CONFIRMED etc.
=======
Anyhow, it is nice to know that you have moved to Shatabdhi.

machadinha · May 7th, 2005, 19:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lotuse

Just read in the Lonely Planet re, retiring rooms at train stations. Anybody ever stay in them? They actually have beds? And, if one takes advantage of these rooms, then one should take luggage to 'left luggage', yes?

As far as I know, and I'd be glad to stand corrected, they're just like hotel rooms, you can take your luggage with you. If it's a dorm kind of set-up then keep an eye on your stuff needless to say, or store in left luggage indeed. You're entitled to use them if you have a train ticket (to rent them like any other room that is). They can be good or bad like any other room, depending on level of maintenance/position (noise) etc., the noisiness is obviously a consideration but otherwise they can be practical if you're only in town for a day or so.

machadinha · May 7th, 2005, 19:46

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.

Lotuse · May 7th, 2005, 20:12

"Under no circumstances, there will be only a single number for the Waiting List. It has to be WL..../WL........... (OR) WL.............../RAC............. (OR) WL/CONFIRMED (OR) RAC.10/CONFIRMED etc"

Honestly, VSP ... that's all it said on my internet reservation AND the e-mail I rec'd from IRTCT! However, I just checked my reservation status on Indianrail, which is now working, and it states [booking status] WL 11, and [current status] WL 7. So, I still have no idea re, if there are any RACs. Do they always have RACs, or is it sometimes only WL/WL?

Re, holding rooms: From what I can gather, Machadinha, you are correct in your first post. Just double-checked LP which states that these are rooms which might be dorm style, so presumably they have beds

.

So, what do you folks figure ... am I better off on the sleeper (Mysore Express) or taking the Shatabdi?

(Gosh, I'm actually almost looking forward my horridly long flights ... I might even get some sleep on the plane ... sure not getting much right now with all these last minute preparations. Yuk!)

And, thanks to all for your input!

steven_ber · May 7th, 2005, 20:54

I'd stick with the overnight train if you can get confirmed.

And as it's already gone down to WL 07 it's looking good, the last couple of days are when the waitlist really starts to drop.

There is probably 2 RAC positions, so 9 more cancellations needed.

Chennai Central has AC (railway retirement) double rooms available, but these are at least Rs600 a night.

vsp27759 · May 7th, 2005, 22:21

Dear Lotuse,
Somehow, I am sick of using INTERNET for booking my journey tickets, the journey tickets of my friends, relatives, Officers and if possible, also seeing them off in stations and receiving when they arrive. (***This is my hobby. Given an opportunity, I love to walk on Platform with a PFT, once in a day)
========
Coming back, your observation:
""that's all it said on my internet reservation...""
@@@Had you booked your ticket in the Counter, the position would be what I have said.
-----
Have a look at this:-
Accomodation Availability Enquiry
You Queried For Train Number Train Name Date (DD-MM-YYYY) Source Station Destination Station Quota Code
6222 MYSORE EXPRESS 7-5-2005 CHENNAI CENTRAL MYSORE JN GENERAL

S.No. Date (DD-MM-YYYY) Class - 2A
1 7- 5-2005 WL 37/WL 15

2 8- 5-2005 WL 32/WL 22

3 9- 5-2005 WL 29/WL 17

4 10- 5-2005 WL 39/WL 23

5 11- 5-2005 WL 22/WL 19

6 12- 5-2005 WL 23/WL 20
======================
I presume your status at the time of booking must be WL..../WL.11 which must have come down to 7 when you last checked.
---------
For your info, there will be only 4 RAC Passengers in each 2A Coach. If there are Two 2A Coaches, the RAC Passengers will be 8, that is, RAC.8/RAC.8 and thereafter, it will be WL.1/WL.1
---------
But when you enuire over phone, they will give you only the current status, that is, the second number the above availability status.
==========
Any doubts?
===========
V.Srinivasa Prasad
7.5.2005/21.25 hrs.

Lotuse · May 7th, 2005, 22:22

I read and heed, Steven, re, taking the overnight if possible.

Interesting re, the rooms! I'm staying in Chennai for 2 days and booked at the Grand Orient simply because after 40 hours of travel and 'worrying' about the sort of heat which is going to hit me when I get there, I figured I deserved at least some sort of 'comfortable' place to sleep. (It's been a looong time since I've travelled overseas and I have a feeling that one can't compare India to Eastern Europe in the old days

.

Maybe I'll only stay at the Grand Orient the one night then. Heck, that would be a pretty nice saving!

Unbelievable too, Steven, that you've made over 2200 posts to this site. Wow! And, Machadinha, you've made over 600! That's a LOT of help you've given people.

vsp27759 · May 7th, 2005, 22:27

Dear Lotuse,
I would be touching 2000 in Southern Railway Discussion Forum, commencing from 6.1.2004; and
must have made over 7000 posts in IRDB, however, where there is no provision to count @ 10 posts per day, within a span of two years, commencing from 6.6.2003.

Lotuse · May 7th, 2005, 22:30

Dear VSP,

Well, you sure know your trains! And, what's a 'PFT'?

View Poll Results: Which class you would prefer in Indian train?
Second Class (Unreserved)	32	4.32%
Sleeper Class	232	31.31%
AC 3-Tier sleeper	138	18.62%
AC 2-Tier sleeper	245	33.06%
AC First Class	142	19.16%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 741. You may not vote on this poll

May 7th, 2005, 12:56	#91
steven_ber Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: London, England. Posts: 9,243	If it is the train I think it is, it departs at 21:30. (arr 08:25) Train 6222 (Chennai - Mysore Kaveri Express) There only seems to be one 2A carriage on that train. You will probably struggle to get your updated PNR info, the website has been crap all week. Your waitlist is still WL 11 as nobody has cancelled yet. (18 people are now on the waitlist) It is difficult to tell if your ticket will get confirmed, mainly because it is for a Friday night. There is no foreign tourist quota for that train (though my info (for quota's on Southern Railways) is for 2 years ago) I can't get any info about waiting list's in 3A for that train, the website has all but give up. One option if your tickets don't get confirmed is the Shatabdi on Saturday morning. Train 2007 departs Chennai Central (not Tuesdays) at 06:00 and gets to Mysore at 13:00. Air con chair car = Rs 645 You can buy tickets for this train over the Internet, or next to the platform at Chennai Central about an hour before the train departs. If you buy tickets for the Shatabdi over the Internet, you can cancel them if your berths on the original train get confirmed. FROM YOUR OTHER THREAD. If there is a 'ladies only sleeper' it will only be an 8th of a sleeper carriage, the rest of the carriage will contain men. When I say a 'sleeper carriage' I mean Sleeper Class (not air conditioned), nowhere near the comfort levels of 2A. __________________ . How to get helpful replies to your transport/Itinerary questions. Train information.

May 7th, 2005, 13:59	#96
Lotuse Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 18	Retiring Rooms No, I'm not sleeping yet though I should be. Just read in the Lonely Planet re, retiring rooms at train stations. Anybody ever stay in them? They actually have beds? And, if one takes advantage of these rooms, then one should take luggage to 'left luggage', yes?

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May 7th, 2005, 13:13	#92
Lotuse Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 18	[quote=steven_ber]If it is the train I think it is, it departs at 21:30. (arr 08:25) Train 6222 (Chennai - Mysore Kaveri Express) That's the train. And, gosh, thank you so much for checking both threads. I am a LITTLE bit anxious about getting to Mysore by the 14th, although if it doesn't happen, it doesn't happen. Good to know what they mean by 'ladies sections', too. Great advice re, booking on the day train although I dread the thought of getting up that early. Yuk! About how much prior to train departure should I get to the station, day or night? Anyway, off to book that ticket now. There are still a few seats left, so thank you again!

May 7th, 2005, 13:26	#93
steven_ber Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: London, England. Posts: 9,243	I would never arrive with less than an hour to spare, though you could comfortably find your berth within 30 minutes of arriving at the station. It is hard to imagine having too much time in a busy train station in India, there is so much to see, always something happening (and I'm not talking about trains), you will see what I mean when you get there. Keep an eye on your luggage before & during departure, as in railway stations all over the world, that is the most likely time for something to go missing, another reason for arriving early and not being rushed.

May 7th, 2005, 13:30	#94
Lotuse Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 18	Am now confirmed for the Shatabdi Express-thank you! So, if I go to the train station Friday night and it ends up that not enough people have cancelled, is there a special waiting room where one can be semi-comfortable where I could sit for about 5 hours (ugh!) until it's time to get on the morning train? Doesn't seem to make much sense to get back to the hotel, etc. Would sure appreciate your suggestions.

May 7th, 2005, 13:44	#95
Lotuse Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 18	Yeah, there's always something going on at train stations. Ya gotta love 'em ... only too bad it'll be in the middle of the night. Might be too tired to enjoy the station the way it should be. Just hope I won't be too tired to keep an eye on the luggage! And, speaking of late and tired, it's waaay past my bedtime here. So, if you have any other advice, I'll be checking for those valuable tidbits first thing when I wake up . By the way, you're a gem for taking the time to answer.

May 7th, 2005, 15:13	#97
vsp27759 V.SRINIVASA PRASAD Join Date: May 2005 Location: HYDERABAD Posts: 1,465	Dear Mr.Lotuse, Your observation: ""but my ticket only states "WL 11". "" ----------- @@@Under no circumstances, there will be only a single number for the Waiting List. It has to be WL..../WL........... (OR) WL.............../RAC............. (OR) WL/CONFIRMED (OR) RAC.10/CONFIRMED etc. ======= Anyhow, it is nice to know that you have moved to Shatabdhi.

May 7th, 2005, 19:46	#99
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 10,612	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.

May 7th, 2005, 20:12	#100
Lotuse Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 18	"Under no circumstances, there will be only a single number for the Waiting List. It has to be WL..../WL........... (OR) WL.............../RAC............. (OR) WL/CONFIRMED (OR) RAC.10/CONFIRMED etc" Honestly, VSP ... that's all it said on my internet reservation AND the e-mail I rec'd from IRTCT! However, I just checked my reservation status on Indianrail, which is now working, and it states [booking status] WL 11, and [current status] WL 7. So, I still have no idea re, if there are any RACs. Do they always have RACs, or is it sometimes only WL/WL? Re, holding rooms: From what I can gather, Machadinha, you are correct in your first post. Just double-checked LP which states that these are rooms which might be dorm style, so presumably they have beds . So, what do you folks figure ... am I better off on the sleeper (Mysore Express) or taking the Shatabdi? (Gosh, I'm actually almost looking forward my horridly long flights ... I might even get some sleep on the plane ... sure not getting much right now with all these last minute preparations. Yuk!) And, thanks to all for your input!

May 7th, 2005, 20:54	#101
steven_ber Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: London, England. Posts: 9,243	I'd stick with the overnight train if you can get confirmed. And as it's already gone down to WL 07 it's looking good, the last couple of days are when the waitlist really starts to drop. There is probably 2 RAC positions, so 9 more cancellations needed. Chennai Central has AC (railway retirement) double rooms available, but these are at least Rs600 a night.

May 7th, 2005, 22:21	#102
vsp27759 V.SRINIVASA PRASAD Join Date: May 2005 Location: HYDERABAD Posts: 1,465	Dear Lotuse, Somehow, I am sick of using INTERNET for booking my journey tickets, the journey tickets of my friends, relatives, Officers and if possible, also seeing them off in stations and receiving when they arrive. (***This is my hobby. Given an opportunity, I love to walk on Platform with a PFT, once in a day) ======== Coming back, your observation: ""that's all it said on my internet reservation..."" @@@Had you booked your ticket in the Counter, the position would be what I have said. ----- Have a look at this:- Accomodation Availability Enquiry You Queried For Train Number Train Name Date (DD-MM-YYYY) Source Station Destination Station Quota Code 6222 MYSORE EXPRESS 7-5-2005 CHENNAI CENTRAL MYSORE JN GENERAL S.No. Date (DD-MM-YYYY) Class - 2A 1 7- 5-2005 WL 37/WL 15 2 8- 5-2005 WL 32/WL 22 3 9- 5-2005 WL 29/WL 17 4 10- 5-2005 WL 39/WL 23 5 11- 5-2005 WL 22/WL 19 6 12- 5-2005 WL 23/WL 20 ====================== I presume your status at the time of booking must be WL..../WL.11 which must have come down to 7 when you last checked. --------- For your info, there will be only 4 RAC Passengers in each 2A Coach. If there are Two 2A Coaches, the RAC Passengers will be 8, that is, RAC.8/RAC.8 and thereafter, it will be WL.1/WL.1 --------- But when you enuire over phone, they will give you only the current status, that is, the second number the above availability status. ========== Any doubts? =========== V.Srinivasa Prasad 7.5.2005/21.25 hrs.

May 7th, 2005, 22:22	#103
Lotuse Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 18	I read and heed, Steven, re, taking the overnight if possible. Interesting re, the rooms! I'm staying in Chennai for 2 days and booked at the Grand Orient simply because after 40 hours of travel and 'worrying' about the sort of heat which is going to hit me when I get there, I figured I deserved at least some sort of 'comfortable' place to sleep. (It's been a looong time since I've travelled overseas and I have a feeling that one can't compare India to Eastern Europe in the old days . Maybe I'll only stay at the Grand Orient the one night then. Heck, that would be a pretty nice saving! Unbelievable too, Steven, that you've made over 2200 posts to this site. Wow! And, Machadinha, you've made over 600! That's a LOT of help you've given people.

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May 7th, 2005, 22:27	#104
vsp27759 V.SRINIVASA PRASAD Join Date: May 2005 Location: HYDERABAD Posts: 1,465	Dear Lotuse, I would be touching 2000 in Southern Railway Discussion Forum, commencing from 6.1.2004; and must have made over 7000 posts in IRDB, however, where there is no provision to count @ 10 posts per day, within a span of two years, commencing from 6.6.2003.

May 7th, 2005, 22:30	#105
Lotuse Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 18	Dear VSP, Well, you sure know your trains! And, what's a 'PFT'?