Sleeper Class details & photos.

Nick-H · Jan 26th, 2008, 02:33

From my timetable:

SI No. 22: Allopathic Doctor: 10% in all reserved classes... Without any minimum distance... [Required] Copy of the MBBS degree and Registration certificate issued by the Indian Medical Council

Mach is right about this, but I think it is wrong to call it a "quota" as in berths are reserved against.

Looks like it is an available concession, but to local doctors.

There is a great number of available concessions available. Perhaps the only one that may be of common interest to foreign travellers is the Senior Citizens category. Those over 60 may obtain 30% discount on certain classes of travel: well worth having!

Hamacasutra · Jan 26th, 2008, 02:52

I am not a doctor, yet (medical student actually). I just wondered if that option existed online, as I hadn't seen it beside the "senior" category while making my reservation.
Just curiosity...

Aishah · Jan 26th, 2008, 15:52

The Senior discount is marvellous! I was told about it shortly after my 60th birthday when I was booking a train to Pathankot. Would never have picked up that even a foreigner could avail oneself of this if the kind man in booking office hadn't pointed it out to me.
Back to Sleeper Class - thought I would pass on the experiences of my nephew and friend who have been booking this class only for all their travels. They came on Delhi-Jaisalmer Express, a long journey, via Sleeper Class. Two hardy, strong young fellows but arrived with colds. However not to put it down to Sl.class could be picked up anywhere. They said they were perfectly happy with their arrangements, my nephew had a sleeping bag, his friend donned thermal underwear at night and slept in his YHA sleeping sheet.
The carriage got crowded occasionally during the day but always quieter at night and they slept very well. They were lucky with weather, whilst cold, not too windy so not so much dust or sand coming in. In fact they might just have walked out of First Class by their appearances when I greeted them! They said they enjoyed themselves this way and were continuing to book that class - they are on strict budgets and this is the way they are able to cover so much distance cheaply.

stofner · Feb 12th, 2008, 02:55

this article is great
thank you steven_ber

anubisgrau · Feb 13th, 2008, 04:33

pardon my silly questions, are there always some open or impossible to close windows at the SL? i always took it for some short day trips. now i am trying a short notice booking for 15 feb delhi varanasi, i have 1 2AC seat on foreign quota offerred and 1WL on normal, not sure if i will get it. never travelled 12 hours night trip in SL, just wondering how cold will be.
actually would it be warmer in 2AC or not?

Aishah · Feb 13th, 2008, 08:11

It will definitely be warmer in 2AC - they put heating on when it is cold. You will also have a thick blanket plus bedsheets.

valerielenny · Feb 13th, 2008, 08:30

last january we have experienced SL from Ernakulam to Bangalore, 11 hours, ovrnite inside the train. not bad and no blanket and pillow provided. you can close the window too if feel cold.

From Delhi to Agra we have took a train AC, returned. Provided breakfast and dinner too, 2 hours journey.

From Chennai to Ernakulam, we tried 2 AC train. Not bad, it non open window. It a glass window where u still can view outside if your seat below.

Oyar · Feb 13th, 2008, 11:50

I have never encountered a window that does not close. However .. most windows .. will have a few millimeters of gap at the bottom.

Chilled air rushes in ... & if you are on the lower berth ... you may have a hard time.

Its best to carry along a bedsheet to cover yourself, not to mention the standard woolens. Trains often pass areas which can be very cold at nights.

AC compartments will always have a standard temp .. so it will be more comfortable.

valerielenny · Feb 13th, 2008, 14:50

i dun have any difficulties in SL. i brought my owe blanket. my bed is on lewer bed, n at nite i close it.
AC class is more comfortable and spacious, there is a ceiling fan too, eventhou have an AC.

Swe_Mats · Feb 16th, 2008, 06:21

Quote:

In brief, I'd say that Sleeper is a useful option for those on an extremely tight budget but for the majority of normal Western tourists, who require a certain level of cleanliness and comfort, it cannot be recommended.

I love sleeperclass. It is definitively the best way to "experience" India. And saying that you require a certain level of cleanliness and comfort shows that you do not know anything about India. Sleeperclass is India in a nutshell, it makes you a visitor in this wonderful country. Not a spectator just passing throu. Sure, sometimes it's a pain in the ass if there's 20 people who wants to talk with you and you just wants to sleep. but hey, this is India. But hey, that's India.

Very good Guide steven_ber. And I can't wait to be back in India, sitting by the door att sundown, getting flies and mosqitos in my face.

machadinha · Feb 16th, 2008, 15:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swe_Mats

And saying that you require a certain level of cleanliness and comfort shows that you do not know anything about India.

Or then maybe some just have different standards than you. You'll find it so on this board.

Which you are hereby welcomed to, btw

Casey · Feb 16th, 2008, 19:15

There are so many variables to what class to choose. The distance, the weather, your budget, the level of comfort/standard/privacy wanted, the age and agility of the traveller and on and on. I can only suggest to try them all! If you are unsure and have the means, you can book one of the ACs and check out the sleeper class.

Aishah · Feb 17th, 2008, 08:40

Totally agree, Casey. And because a foreigner is travelling in one of the other classes e.g. 1A, 2AC, etc.does not necessarily mean they don't know the 'real' India.

Sama · Feb 17th, 2008, 11:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by guerik

I find an old/cheap cotton dupatta a nice replacement for a sheet- the vinyl berths get a bit sticky if it's hot.

I always bring a dhoti with me for train rides -- good for a sheet, good to use to wrap myself in if I get cold....

great thread, steve!

although my fave is FC non-AC -- which you say they are phasing out?

Bigzero · Feb 17th, 2008, 13:19

Terrific thread, Steven! Wow! so much information! This will be a great help for anyone interested in train travel in India.

I dont travel much in sleeper class nowadays, but I have very fond memories of 48+ hour trips years back - used to do it at least twice a year ( was working in Gujarat at that time ).

After reaching home after such a journey, anyone could smell from a mile away that you have just done a long train trip

Oh and there were those long periods in those trips when there was no water in the compartments.

Indian railways have improved quite a lot from those days I guess. At least the carriages look cleaner.

Jan 26th, 2008, 02:33	#31
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 24,611	From my timetable: SI No. 22: Allopathic Doctor: 10% in all reserved classes... Without any minimum distance... [Required] Copy of the MBBS degree and Registration certificate issued by the Indian Medical Council Mach is right about this, but I think it is wrong to call it a "quota" as in berths are reserved against. Looks like it is an available concession, but to local doctors. There is a great number of available concessions available. Perhaps the only one that may be of common interest to foreign travellers is the Senior Citizens category. Those over 60 may obtain 30% discount on certain classes of travel: well worth having! __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Jan 26th, 2008, 15:52	#33
Aishah She-who-must-be-obeyed! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jaisalmer Posts: 3,778	The Senior discount is marvellous! I was told about it shortly after my 60th birthday when I was booking a train to Pathankot. Would never have picked up that even a foreigner could avail oneself of this if the kind man in booking office hadn't pointed it out to me. Back to Sleeper Class - thought I would pass on the experiences of my nephew and friend who have been booking this class only for all their travels. They came on Delhi-Jaisalmer Express, a long journey, via Sleeper Class. Two hardy, strong young fellows but arrived with colds. However not to put it down to Sl.class could be picked up anywhere. They said they were perfectly happy with their arrangements, my nephew had a sleeping bag, his friend donned thermal underwear at night and slept in his YHA sleeping sheet. The carriage got crowded occasionally during the day but always quieter at night and they slept very well. They were lucky with weather, whilst cold, not too windy so not so much dust or sand coming in. In fact they might just have walked out of First Class by their appearances when I greeted them! They said they enjoyed themselves this way and were continuing to book that class - they are on strict budgets and this is the way they are able to cover so much distance cheaply. __________________ "Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards."

Feb 13th, 2008, 08:30	#37
valerielenny Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: singapore Posts: 39	train last january we have experienced SL from Ernakulam to Bangalore, 11 hours, ovrnite inside the train. not bad and no blanket and pillow provided. you can close the window too if feel cold. From Delhi to Agra we have took a train AC, returned. Provided breakfast and dinner too, 2 hours journey. From Chennai to Ernakulam, we tried 2 AC train. Not bad, it non open window. It a glass window where u still can view outside if your seat below.

Feb 17th, 2008, 13:19	#45
Bigzero back to my old ways Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 1,431	Terrific thread, Steven! Wow! so much information! This will be a great help for anyone interested in train travel in India. I dont travel much in sleeper class nowadays, but I have very fond memories of 48+ hour trips years back - used to do it at least twice a year ( was working in Gujarat at that time ). After reaching home after such a journey, anyone could smell from a mile away that you have just done a long train trip Oh and there were those long periods in those trips when there was no water in the compartments. Indian railways have improved quite a lot from those days I guess. At least the carriages look cleaner. __________________ miles to go.... Bigzero's Photo Gallery

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Jan 26th, 2008, 02:52	#32
Hamacasutra Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Barcelona Posts: 19	I am not a doctor, yet (medical student actually). I just wondered if that option existed online, as I hadn't seen it beside the "senior" category while making my reservation. Just curiosity...

Feb 12th, 2008, 02:55	#34
stofner Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: italy Posts: 15	this article is great thank you steven_ber

Feb 13th, 2008, 04:33	#35
anubisgrau Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ser Posts: 122	pardon my silly questions, are there always some open or impossible to close windows at the SL? i always took it for some short day trips. now i am trying a short notice booking for 15 feb delhi varanasi, i have 1 2AC seat on foreign quota offerred and 1WL on normal, not sure if i will get it. never travelled 12 hours night trip in SL, just wondering how cold will be. actually would it be warmer in 2AC or not?

Feb 13th, 2008, 08:11	#36
Aishah She-who-must-be-obeyed! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jaisalmer Posts: 3,778	It will definitely be warmer in 2AC - they put heating on when it is cold. You will also have a thick blanket plus bedsheets.

Feb 13th, 2008, 11:50	#38
Oyar Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 162	I have never encountered a window that does not close. However .. most windows .. will have a few millimeters of gap at the bottom. Chilled air rushes in ... & if you are on the lower berth ... you may have a hard time. Its best to carry along a bedsheet to cover yourself, not to mention the standard woolens. Trains often pass areas which can be very cold at nights. AC compartments will always have a standard temp .. so it will be more comfortable.

Feb 13th, 2008, 14:50	#39
valerielenny Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: singapore Posts: 39	i dun have any difficulties in SL. i brought my owe blanket. my bed is on lewer bed, n at nite i close it. AC class is more comfortable and spacious, there is a ceiling fan too, eventhou have an AC.

Feb 16th, 2008, 19:15	#42
Casey Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 617	There are so many variables to what class to choose. The distance, the weather, your budget, the level of comfort/standard/privacy wanted, the age and agility of the traveller and on and on. I can only suggest to try them all! If you are unsure and have the means, you can book one of the ACs and check out the sleeper class.

Feb 17th, 2008, 08:40	#43
Aishah She-who-must-be-obeyed! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jaisalmer Posts: 3,778	Totally agree, Casey. And because a foreigner is travelling in one of the other classes e.g. 1A, 2AC, etc.does not necessarily mean they don't know the 'real' India.

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