Train Waiting List advice please

The Wallet Inspector

Hi all,

I just booked some train tickets from Mumbai to Goa for the 23rd Dec. (in 10 days) and from Goa to Mumbai on the 6th Jan.

For the train ride to Goa (23rd Dec) we have been given the status WL 11 and WL 12 (there's two of us)
I checked the availability and it said WL14/WL13 (after i booked the tickets)

For the train back from Goa to Mumbai (6th Jan), the status is WL5/WL5.

We've never used the indian railway before, could someone please give me their opinion. Should i be worried that we wont get our tickets confirmed in time for our trips?
Or is 10 days enough time for WL14/WL13 to be ok.

beach

What is the class??

For II sleeper, II AC Sleeper, III AC Sleeper, this looks OK (you'll get the cofirmed seat)

For I AC sleeper the (cancellation) queue moves a bit slow as there are not toomany seats.

beach

Welcome to IM

The Wallet Inspector

Hi Beach,

we've booked class: 1A.

Should i be worried?

beach

It's slightly difficult to say.....check it out a couple of days later. You'll get a 'trend'. About 10-20% of the reservations get cancelled just 24hrs or so before the journey. So the WL moves faster as the travel day approaches.

But you have a good chance of getting the seat confirmed though i'm not as confident like in the other classes.

Hope you know how to check the current status online using the PNR

steven_ber

Reality time.

I would be very worried, chances are that most of the 1A berths have been booked up by tourists, they will not cancel at the last minute.

Also, how many 1A berths on that train? Normally 18 berths I think, even if they added another 1A carriage that would only make 36 (though I'd bet money that there is only 18 x 1A berths on the train).

Even if there are 36 berths, you still need more than a third of the sold tickets to be cancelled.

You're going to have to consider using the tourist quota or the better still, the Tatkal reservation system as all the Goa bound trains seem to be booked out.

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butterball

I've seen the 'Tatkal' boards at stations.. what is the system about again ?

Also, you could try and apply for 2/3 AC AS WELL - I've begun buying seats even if I think I may cancel myself. I think you only loose 40rs on a 3AC is you return it. This way you can usually get seats for the dates you want - for example, I've booked Calcutta - Varanasi on two different dates. I'll refund one nearer the time when I know I'm going to make it. Easy at the credit card counter !

Flights are another option. Much underrated by tourists.

Good luck !

beach

C&P from my earlier post 'Knowing the Indian train'

Tatkal Scheme —This is an emergency reservation scheme introduced in selected (about 100) trains. Such trains are indicated with a T at the end of their train number.
The reservation for these seats starts just 24 hours (8am to be specific) before day of journey. These are in fact the same express trains with 2 or 3 such special reservation coaches attached to it.
All the Tatkal (means immediate) tickets come with a premium of Rs50 to 200 extra depends on the class. You need to produce a photo identity card (passport, Driving license, Credit card etc) at the reservation counter. The same will be asked for in side the train also by the TTE. The ID number is noted on the ticket. This is basically to prevent the bogus booking and black-market sale of hot tickets! If you are booking the Tatkal for a group of people (max 6 per ticket) any one member’s ID is sufficient.
These tickets can’t be cancelled for refund. This is really a boon for the emergency passengers.

steven_ber

I done a quick check last night on 2 trains, the second being the Shatabdi (normally the last train to get booked out), the waitlist's were so long that I didn't bother checking any other trains,

The best I can find is train 6333 HAPA TVC EXPRESS, this departs from Panvel at 22:35 and gets to Madgaon at 07:35.

You would need to take a local train to get from Mumbai to Panvel; this could take up to 2 hours (I'm sure buses to Panvel would be a lot quicker).

This train from Panvel also has waitlists, but I think they should come down and I feel you have a lot better chance of getting a confirmed berth, the waitlists at the moment are: -


2A - 23-12-2004 WL 30/WL 23
3A - 23-12-2004 WL 58/WL 43

There are no 1A berths on this train.


There have been a few changes made to the Tatkal reservation system since Beach posted his 'Knowing the Indian train' thread, check the following post for more details.

Tatkal scheme for all Mail, Express trains.

Next year I think I will book loads & loads of reservations on key Mumbai - Goa trains, then fleece tourists who need the reservations.

steven_ber

One of the daytime trains, the NETRAVATI EXPRESS (train 6345) has a reasonable waitlist in 2A

23-12-2004 WL 31/WL 17 (means 31 put on waitlist, but there have so far been 14 cancellations.)

This train departs Lokmanya Tilak (north Mumbai) at 11:40 and gets to Madgaon 22:30.

Thivim is a convenient station for beaches in North Goa, this train calls at Thivim at 21:30.

Likewise, Canacona is a convenient station for beaches in Southern Goa, this train calls at Canacona at 23:08.

The Wallet Inspector

Hi all,

Thanks so much for the informative replies!! Appreciate it.
Ok, i have my reality hat on now and have taken your advice steve. I've also booked a couple of other trains, one being the NETRAVATI EXPRESS. (6345) I booked it this morning and we were WL 31 and 32. Its only been a few hours and we've shifted to WL 17 and 18. So thats looking pretty good so far. *fingers crossed*
As for the bookings made in Class 1A, the waiting list hasnt budged.

butterball

.. damn, there goes my get rich quick system..

Don't forget the Deccan Air tickets too !

Good luck with the WL's - you'll get there somehow - even a cab won't be toooooooo much against a 1A ticket !