Reliability of trains

Sarah55 · Feb 26th, 2008, 19:13

The ideal train for me, returning from trip to Siikim and Darjeeling, would be the Darjeeling Mail, arriving in Kolkata at 6am. My flight back to the UK leaves at 5pm the same day.

Am I wise to rely on that train, given that I cannot miss that flight? Do Indian trains on express routes ever get cancelled for any reason?

Khak · Feb 26th, 2008, 19:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sarah55

The ideal train for me, returning from trip to Siikim and Darjeeling, would be the Darjeeling Mail, arriving in Kolkata at 6am. My flight back to the UK leaves at 5pm the same day.

Am I wise to rely on that train, given that I cannot miss that flight? Do Indian trains on express routes ever get cancelled for any reason?

Darjeeling Mail is an important train and there are very little chances on getting cancelled unless there is some strike called by some political party.

Sarah55 · Feb 26th, 2008, 20:00

Thanks for the very prompt response. That's most helpful.

machadinha · Feb 26th, 2008, 20:10

Hm. As a rule of thumb however, anywhere really but certainly in India, I'd never let my final journey back to my exit point come down to a connection where if it falls through for whatever reason, I wouldn't have the time to both arrange and grab an alternative means of transport and make it in time.

Better safe than sorry, and all that. Taking a breather, getting a good night's sleep & doing some last-minute shopping or people-watching or whatever before getting on that plane I never mind much anyway.

In the above case, if that train is said to be reliable I guess 6 AM - 5 PM seems pretty fair though. I've had a train simply not show up at all for the day with no announcements made either in New Jalpaiguri, which was East-West bound though, I take it those are often (incredibly) delayed, and they have quite some distance to cover. I suppose an important line to Kolkata should indeed fare better. Or theoretically anyway...

edwardseco · Feb 26th, 2008, 20:17

That gap will work at least 90 percent of the time but no guarantees. Sometimes weather or accidents intervene. Still..

Khak · Feb 27th, 2008, 13:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by machadinha

Hm. As a rule of thumb however, anywhere really but certainly in India, I'd never let my final journey back to my exit point come down to a connection where if it falls through for whatever reason, I wouldn't have the time to both arrange and grab an alternative means of transport and make it in time.

Better safe than sorry, and all that. Taking a breather, getting a good night's sleep & doing some last-minute shopping or people-watching or whatever before getting on that plane I never mind much anyway.

In the above case, if that train is said to be reliable I guess 6 AM - 5 PM seems pretty fair though. I've had a train simply not show up at all for the day with no announcements made either in New Jalpaiguri, which was East-West bound though, I take it those are often (incredibly) delayed, and they have quite some distance to cover. I suppose an important line to Kolkata should indeed fare better. Or theoretically anyway...

Darjeeling Mail is a short distance overnight train and hence can be relied upon to some extent

Maz 1979 · Feb 27th, 2008, 20:13

Due to the rains this 10hr journey took me 27hours last Oct as some of the line had been washed away - a regular occurance i heard from fellow passengers. I slept through most of the fuss and it was nice in some ways because we ended up awake during the day looking at Bangladesh and the amazing scenery so almost worth it................ almost.
Depends on what time of year OP making journey i guess but anything mildly wet i would not risk it.

Jean-Philipe · Mar 12th, 2008, 17:36

The toy train #2D down from Darjeeling is scheduled to arrive at NJP at 16:50, and #2505 North East Express to Delhi is scheduled to depart from NJP at 16:50. Can that connection be made? Would #2505 wait if the toy train is late? Otherwise it means waiting until 22:30 for #4055 Bramhaputra Mail, or even until the next day for one of the Rajdhanis at 13:05.

A couple of fudge factors to take into account:
- #2D is scheduled to leave its previous stop, Siliguri Town, at 15:50, and it's only 5km to NJP.
- #2505 is coming from Guwahati, and may be (will probably be??) at least a bit late.

Feb 26th, 2008, 19:13	#1
Sarah55 Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: UK Posts: 31	Reliability of trains The ideal train for me, returning from trip to Siikim and Darjeeling, would be the Darjeeling Mail, arriving in Kolkata at 6am. My flight back to the UK leaves at 5pm the same day. Am I wise to rely on that train, given that I cannot miss that flight? Do Indian trains on express routes ever get cancelled for any reason?

Feb 27th, 2008, 20:13	#7
Maz 1979 Monkey Bait Join Date: May 2004 Location: London Posts: 151	Due to the rains this 10hr journey took me 27hours last Oct as some of the line had been washed away - a regular occurance i heard from fellow passengers. I slept through most of the fuss and it was nice in some ways because we ended up awake during the day looking at Bangladesh and the amazing scenery so almost worth it................ almost. Depends on what time of year OP making journey i guess but anything mildly wet i would not risk it. __________________ India

Mar 12th, 2008, 17:36	#8
Jean-Philipe Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: near Chennai, Tamil Nadu Posts: 167	Connection at New Jalpaiguri? The toy train #2D down from Darjeeling is scheduled to arrive at NJP at 16:50, and #2505 North East Express to Delhi is scheduled to depart from NJP at 16:50. Can that connection be made? Would #2505 wait if the toy train is late? Otherwise it means waiting until 22:30 for #4055 Bramhaputra Mail, or even until the next day for one of the Rajdhanis at 13:05. A couple of fudge factors to take into account: - #2D is scheduled to leave its previous stop, Siliguri Town, at 15:50, and it's only 5km to NJP. - #2505 is coming from Guwahati, and may be (will probably be??) at least a bit late. __________________ It's all part of the adventure of travelling!

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Feb 26th, 2008, 20:00	#3
Sarah55 Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: UK Posts: 31	Thanks for the very prompt response. That's most helpful.

Feb 26th, 2008, 20:10	#4
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 10,143	Hm. As a rule of thumb however, anywhere really but certainly in India, I'd never let my final journey back to my exit point come down to a connection where if it falls through for whatever reason, I wouldn't have the time to both arrange and grab an alternative means of transport and make it in time. Better safe than sorry, and all that. Taking a breather, getting a good night's sleep & doing some last-minute shopping or people-watching or whatever before getting on that plane I never mind much anyway. In the above case, if that train is said to be reliable I guess 6 AM - 5 PM seems pretty fair though. I've had a train simply not show up at all for the day with no announcements made either in New Jalpaiguri, which was East-West bound though, I take it those are often (incredibly) delayed, and they have quite some distance to cover. I suppose an important line to Kolkata should indeed fare better. Or theoretically anyway... __________________ Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links

Feb 26th, 2008, 20:17	#5
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 3,777	That gap will work at least 90 percent of the time but no guarantees. Sometimes weather or accidents intervene. Still..

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