Mumbai-Nagpur-Kolkata, the scenic route.

steven_ber

I think a couple of our members know quite a bit about the following routes, so here goes.

I land in Mumbai in 10 days time and have to get over to Kolkata, I'm allowing a week for this and want to try a number of routes that are said to be scenic.

I know this is a long and slow route, but I just feel like I want to be on the move, and I want to try routes that I've not used before.

I want to go via Manmad, Nanded, Adilabad, Chandrapur, Nagbhir Jn, Nagpur, Chhindwara, Jabalpur, Katni, Chopan, Barkakana,, and eventually to Kolkata.

For those unsure of the route, look at the following 2 rail maps.

http://www.samit.org/irmap/08.jpg

http://www.samit.org/irmap/09.jpg

The first train has to be the Nandigram Express (train 1401) from Mumbai to Majri Jn, the stretch between Mudkhed and Adilabad seems to go through a hilly region, so may be interesting.

I'm going to study some maps to see if I can get off somewhere between Adilabad and Majri to get a bus to Chandrapur, anyone have any info that may be helpful?

Is there anything worth seeing in Chandrapur?

Then I'll get a train from Chanda Fort to Nagbhir Jn, then a narrow gauge train from Nagbhir Jn to Nagpur. (is this NG train still running?)

From Nagpur, I'll take the Narrow gauge train via Chhindwara to Jabalpur.

From Jabalpur I'll take the Shaktipunj Express (1447) to Howrah.

I'll stay a night in Chandrapur, a night in Nagpur, then I'll book tickets for the Shaktipunj Express for 2 consecutive days, and depending on how I feel, I may spend a night in Jabalpur (Been here before and know a reasonable hotel).

I'll probably try for a railway retiring room in Nagpur, can anyone recommend places to see in Nagpur, anything out of the ordinary?

What's Sleeper class like on the Nagpur-Jabalpur NG train? I'm guessing there's no side berths.

Will Sleeper Class be OK on the Shaktipunj Express? the train passes through parts of Bihar.

Has anyone any advice for any part of the journey? any scenic sections?

Thanks for any info.

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York_Katni

Dear Steven,
Take the Nandigram to NGP. Your next train is the 1NNJ at half past 12 the next day afternoon. You could have joined the 1NNJ without wasting a day, by using the Vidharba. But it misses the thumbs up rock, the long winding curves that characterize the MMR-NED route and a PUNE WDM3A working a puny train. You will be the only passenger after Nanded or a few mortals till Adilabad. I was told that the bus takes 4 hours to Nagpur from Adilbad. It is scenic after Mudkhed and there are few trains enroute other than the 1402 and an occasional crossing of a goods train. Stock food up well for the 1401, 1447[there is little good food available till Renukoot] and the NG train.

No body other than a trainspotter or some one on a leisurely holiday will take this train. When I did the section last time, the TTE was a little aghast that I was going all the way till NGP. It s good for me, the train is fairly empty, reasonably neat and quiet enough to read a good book. In this respect none of the busy Bombay Nagpur trains can compare with the Nandigram.1447 is perfectly fine and in my view better than the Mail. Bihar comes in the night and it does most of the vulnerable section in daylight. Once it crosses Chandrapura, it joins the mainline. 3AC or SL seems ok for 1447. I wont suggest 2AC because of the chances of getting mugged. In SL there may be engineers going to Hindalco or other friendly co-travelers.
As far as the NG goes it a part of the fun. There may be an FC coach. I am told that since they do not make NG coaches anymore, its working is not always guaranteed. I think they have sitting below and bunks above for SL. I am planning to summit the NG railway in December from JBP-NGP. I am waiting for my CJT to come through.

That is the reason why they do not put it up for reservation. But the scenery will more than compensate for the discomfort. Go around the cantonment areas of Jabalpur and you may like it. It is a stroll back into the past.
Take the 1NNJ next afternoon and get down at Jabalpur. Then it is a straight ride by the Shaktipunj. You might want to get down at McCluskieganj.
Best Regards
York_Katni

steven_ber

Thanks for the reply.

I've heard the Nagbhir Jn to Nagpur NG route is scenic (and I love those NG trains).

York_Katni

For Naghbir, I see that the connections are not working well and I thought through it for my routing. The Nandigram that way connects to few trains. I am not sure it is possible if you are doing Shaktipunj, JBP-NGP[that is an epic NG ride by itself, hope it is there when I try to do it] and the Nandigram in one go.

vsp27759

Dear Steven,

I have travelled on Chanda Fort-Gondia, Gondia-Balaghat (BG), Balaghat-Jabalpur. However I stopped in Gondia, went to Durg and came back to Gondia, so as to be able to catch DMU to Balaghat and then the famous Satpura Express to Jabalpur which has got FC Coach!!!

I have also travelled from Nagpur to Chindwara (**in fact two times).

I was told the Nagbhir-Nagpur NG Route is a normal route WITHOUT ANY GHAT SECTIONS.

vsp27759

Likewise, the Gondia-Durg, Raigarh-Jharsuguda, Rourkela-CKP Sections which form part of CSTM-NGP-HWH Route are NOT to be missed and these should invariably be covered only during day time!!!!
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Unfortunately, you CANNOT cover these 3 sections during day time in a single go.