[steven_ber]

lobo, I have updated the Delhi - Pathankot trains in post 9 on this thread, there have been a few changes, so if you printed the post you should check the info again.

If I were doing this journey I would try for train 4033, it starts from Delhi station and departs at 21:10, it gets to Pathankot at 07:40, there is a 09:50 departure to Kangra, this leaves a bit of time in case the train is late, also some time to get breakfast and stretch your legs.

The 09:50 departure is due to get to Kangra at 14:03.

I've been told the Kangra Valley Railway is a great (though slow) journey.

[steven_ber]

New 'Trains at a Glance' can be viewed (using new versions of Adobe Acrobat Reader) at http://203.197.214.122/railways/timetable/home.htm

It may also be worth checking out southern railways website, they have just released their new timetable, it includes everything from Goa/Hospet and south of that.

I havn't had time to check it out yet.

[tstan]

Thanks for the TAAG web reference, Steven - I am finding a bit of a black hole in the Bijapur and Hospet area which I presume relates to gauge work - but don't mind putting up with buses around Badami and Aihole since the distances are short and the small towns are probably off the railway line anyway.

Next time you take the dog for a walk, I'll pick up the tab!

[lobo]

Thanks for the help guys
Not to long for me now 0ct 17th.......

[steven_ber]

tstan

The line from Solapur to Bijapur has already been converted to broad gauge, I know the line from Bijapur to Gadag is to be converted, but I don't know when this will begin, or if it has already started.

Solapur - Bijapur

Train 331 (II only) Solapur 08:05, Bijapur 10:45.
Train 333 (II only) Solapur 12:00, Bijapur 15:05.
Train 345 (II only) Solapur 20:30, Bijapur 23:10.

Train 6513 (3A, SL, II) departs Yesvantpur (Bangalore) on Wednesdays, Fridays & Sundays at 16:15 and the next morning it gets to Solapur at 07:15, & Bijapur at 10:00.

Train 346 (II only) Bijapur 05:30, Solapur 08:15.
Train 334 (II only) Bijapur 11:15, Solapur 14:00.
Train 332 (II only) Bijapur 17:30, Solapur 20:10.

Train 6514 (3A, SL, II) departs Bijapur on Mondays, Thursdays & Saturdays at 16:20 then Solapur at 18:50 and the next morning it gets to Yesvantpur at 10:00.
----------------------------------------------

Bijapur - Gadag

Bij = Bijapur
Alm = Almatti
Bkt = Bagalkot
Bad = Badami
Gad = Gadag

All trains between Bijapur and Gadag only have 2nd. class.

T385 Bij 04:00, Alm 05:30, Bkt 06:24, Bad 07:00, Gad 09:30.
T337 Bij 06:50, Alm 08:33, Bkt 09:34, Bad 10:10, Gad 13:05.
T339 Bij 11:10, Alm 13:00, Bkt 14:10, Bad 14:45, Gad 17:30.
T7841 Bij 15:300, Alm 16:40, Bkt 17:25, Bad 17:55, Gad 20:30.
T341 Bij 18:10, Alm 20:00, Bkt 20:50, Bad 21:25, Gad 00:10.

T338 Gad 04:00, Bad 05:30, Bkt 06:09, Alm 07:06, Bij 10:00.
T7842 Gad 07:15, Bad 08:40, Bkt 09:30, Alm 10:15, Bij 12:45.
T340 Gad 09:55, Bad 11:35, Bkt 12:14, Alm 13:10, Bij 15:25.
T342 Gad 15:05, Bad 16:50, Bkt 17:32, Alm 18:47, Bij 21:35.
T386 Gad 18:50, Bad 20:35, Bkt 21:25, Alm 22:30, Bij 01:00.
--------------------------------------------------

Gadag - Hospet

Gadag 09:25, Hospet 11:55.
Gadag 14:12, Hospet 16:00.
Gadag 18:02, Hospet 19:50.
Gadag 20:52, Hospet 22:35.

Hospet 05:15, Gadag 06:41.
Hospet 07:45, Gadag 09:20.
Hospet 08:45, Gadag 10:20.
Hospet 16:00, Gadag 17:55.
--------------------------------------------------

Map of Solapur, Bijapur + Hospet area.

[tstan]

Thanks for the thorough reply Steven! I am sure that gauge work is at the root of the problems as it is in southern Gujarat.

Looking at the bigger picture, I can see that Mumbai is connected to Hyderabad and Bangalore directly through Wadi and there are good services between these major cities. Bijapur, despite its great architecture, is really a bit of a backwater with a population of only around 300 000 so IR would not be in any great hurry to extend the broad gauge further south, having already done the line from S(h)olapur thereby linking Bijapur to Hyderabad and Mumbai to the north.

South from Bijapur to Gadag, the rail link affords adequate stopping time at Badami with a few trains later in the day to link up with Hospet and eventually Hampi (by a short bus ride) and, after a couple of days there is a very convenient overnight train to Hyderabad.

After that, there is a further o/n to Aurangabad (from Kacheguda Station) which is also handy.

I am really looking forward to tasting an authentic Hyderabad biryani!

[steven_ber]

The part of train 7228 that goes to Kacheguda waits at Guntakal for 3 hours and 20 minutes, could be fun.

There is also a well timed overnight train from Solapur to Hyderabad, though I've not got details with me at the moment.

[lobo]

dehli-dharamsalsa

If I were doing this journey I would try for train 4033, it starts from Delhi station and departs at 21:10, it gets to Pathankot at 07:40, there is a 09:50 departure to Kangra, this leaves a bit of time in case the train is late, also some time to get breakfast and stretch your legs.
The 09:50 departure is due to get to Kangra at 14:03.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Steven thanks a lot for your help, this is the route we have decided to do, one question though can we buy "one" ticket in dehli to cover all of this or do we have to buy a ticket at pathankot to take us to kangra (if so is it simple?or do we just jump on the train and wait for teh conducter?). Also does this route run daily?

[beach]

The latest 'Trains at a Glance' (Sep04-June05) is released. You can buy it at the enquiry counters of all railway stations. Rs30 per copy. More colourful and impressive. Also there are a lot of tips (& tricks too!) in traveling, booking etc. Special emphasis on tourism. They are selling it very aggressively (with display and special lectures by the staff etc)

Also the latest zonal Timetables are also for sale. Rs25 per copy.

TAG is an overall planning kit. The TimeTables are focused on zonal routes.

TT lists ALL trains with ALL the stations(Big/Small trains & stations). TAG is the best for the cross-country travelers who mostly use express trains.

[lobo]

Thanks beach sounds like its a must buy!!!!

[mr pastry]

Hampi - Bangalore

T...6591 Hospet 19:55, Guntakal 22:30 (23:00), Bangalore 06:30

T... 6592 Bangalore 22:15, Guntakal 05:00, Hospet 07:40

Distance 594 km.

2A = Rs 961
FC = Rs 680
SL = Rs 232
______________________________ ________________[/quote]

We are travelling by overnight train from Mumbai and miss the Hospet connection at Guntakal. Are there local trains on this line or just the very irregular services listed in "Trains at a glance" (in which case we would have to go from Guntakal to Hospet by road)? Does anyone know if there is a bus service between the two or if we will need to hire a taxi?

thanks in advance

Andrew

[steven_ber]

There are 05:20, 06:15 & 21:20 departures, not much use to you.

It's about 115 kms to Hospet along a direct road (via Bellary) so it will probibly take about 4 hours by bus.

Bellary is about 50 kms from Guntakal, there are a couple of extra trains from there to Hospet.

Train 583 departs Bellary daily at 11:10 and gets to Hospet at 13:00 (SL, II.)

Train 311 departs Bellary daily at 14:25 and gets to Hospet at 15:50 (II only)

[begreen9]

The India Railways link for best maps has changed. It is now at:
http://www.samit.org/ellipsis/maps.htm. It's a great resource.

[asykes1]

steven - your posts are fantastic! and yet somehow, i am still stumbling through the india gov train website and can't find the train i need!

i am looking for all trains that go from agra to delhi on 12/28/04 and 12/29/04. i will be traveling with my family then and we want to figure out the best time to leave. i am hoping there are multiple choices...

if you could provide assistance, that would be great. thanks!

[SHIMLA]

Originally Posted by asykes1

steven - your posts are fantastic! and yet somehow, i am still stumbling through the india gov train website and can't find the train i need!

i am looking for all trains that go from agra to delhi on 12/28/04 and 12/29/04. i will be traveling with my family then and we want to figure out the best time to leave. i am hoping there are multiple choices...

if you could provide assistance, that would be great. thanks!

1. Log on to www.indianrail.gov.in
2. Click on the tab "Trains between Imp. stations".
3. Select "Source Station" as Agra Cantt and "Destination Station" as New Delhi. Select "All Class" for the "Class". Click "Get It".
4. You will get a list of all mail/express/superfast trains plying between Agra Cantt and New Delhi.
5. Select your train and the journey date for checking availability. However, it is still early for you to check the availability for Dec.28 and 29, as the advance reservation starts only 60 days in advance, excluding the date of journey.
6. For your planned dates of journey, you should check the availability on Oct. 30.