darjeeling mail train - generally on time?

tacita

might anyone know what the general on-time record is for the darjeeling mail train from NJP to kolkata? it's scheduled to arrive at 6 a.m. assuming nothing truly extraordinary happens to delay us (or can one not make such an assumption?), i was wondering how close to the mark i might expect to arrive. i've reserved a hotel room - unoccupied - for the night before just to be certain i have a place of rest and refuge as soon as i hit kolkata. if i'm not likely to arrive until closer to check-in time (12noon), i could forego the extra expense. however, i like to plan for all (at least foreseeable) eventualities, and i have to consider the possibility of not sleeping, having first-big-indian-city culture shock, feeling dreadful, and wanting an immediate shower.

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steven_ber

This train has an awful reputation for depriving it's users of sleep.

Although Buddhists generally have a fantastic reputation, and are famous for respecting everyone else's privacy, the rich Buddhists that frequent this train are the opposite.

There are travelogues all over the web telling awful tales of people being kept awake all night by loud and selfish chanting and other extraordinary behaviour by the mainly Sikkim and East Nepali Buddhists.

North Eastern Railways, who operate the train even tried to persuade the Dalai Lama to talk to the leaders of their communities, but without success.

Good luck.







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Only Joking.

I'd expect this train to arrive between 1 and 2 hours late.

More later.

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Nick-H

And I was thinking... Only Steven could know stuff like this!!!!!






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mangrove

Is it best to assume that any train might be 1-2 hours late?

steven_ber

My reasoning exactly.

The narrow corridor on the approach to New Jalpaiguri is notorious for delays. (I'm not joking this time)

Trains often lose a few hours, however, I suspect the Darjeeling mail won't be too badly affected.

Often trains passing New Jalpaiguri have travelled through Bihar or from Guwahati, both of those stretches have regular delays for various reasons, if a train then enters the New Jalpaiguri section late, delays are only increased, and this can have a knock on effect.

The Darjeeling mail travels north/south to/from Calcutta and terminates at New Jalpaiguri (thus avoiding the worst areas for delays), it is also one of the most prestigious trains in the area and will likely get priority treatment should there be any delays.

I could easily see this train completing it's journey close to the booked time (though there is only a tiny bit of 'make-up' time added to the timetable), but I'd be a fool not to expect some delay to any train passing through an area that so regularly experiences problems.

tacita

stephen, it's NEW YEAR'S, not April Fools Day!

so it seems that my extra hotel-night investment may be a good one. i shall keep the reservation.

ironically, though, your initial joke could not, in fact, worry me - i'm deaf! i have a cochlear implant, but when i take the sound processor off (sort of like a hearing aid if you haven't seen one), i am completely, totally, deaf as a doornail. there aren't many positive things one can say about my auditory reality, but this is one. a dose of ambien, absolute silence, the rocking of the train, fresh batteries in my vibrating travel alarm, and i may actually sleep (still a longshot for an insomniac). and i guess i don't have to worry about oversleeping and missing my stop!

iwanttogoback

you have no idea, yet, what a blessing being deaf on a sleeper train will be!

i loved the experience and would do it again, but apart from anything else the snoring, coughing, throat clearing, mobile phones ringing through the night....well,without ear plugs it can be hard to sleep.

wp7713

The Darjeeling Mail is a " Board Train": that is, the Indian Railway Board keeps a keen interest in its running, and any delays get reported to the Board, and the reasons get investigated.

But things do happen, and the train can get delayed. Last time I caught it ( northbound) we were about 2 hours late, due to fog, signal failures and something which happened in the middle of the night.

You arrive in Sealdah, which is probably easier than Howrah. If you're on time, just go and have breakfast in the refreshment rooms.
When I last caught the Mail to Sealdah it was due at the much more respectable time of 0845-and it was on time ( but that's quite a few years ago now).

tacita

thanks, wp. that's reassuring. my arrival in kolkata will be my most intense culture-shock experience, after what i imagine will be relatively atypical ones being met in delhi by a placard bearing my name for a quick overnight near the airport and then 12 days in serene sikkim off-season. i'm guessing here, but i somehow doubt i'll be able even to locate the refreshment room, much less deal with acquiring breakfast. on the other hand, staggering around in an ambien haze, i'll likely be no better-equipped to get myself into a cab and find my hotel, either!

Bhaswaran

Darjeeling Mail is the best train in this route (Kolkata-New Jalpaiguri). Earlier, it used to take about 13 hours and was still the best. Last year, it gained Superfast status from Railway Board and was running at 10 hours between Kolkata-NJP, with only 4 stoppages, Kolkata (Terminus) - Bardhaman - Bolpur - Malda - Kishanganj - NJP (Terminus). It is the only VIP train in this route.

So, if you are not on flight, Darjeeling Mail is the best bet as per timing and speed.

I personally avail it all the time I go to the Darjeeling-Sikkim region from Kolkata. Last time, I boarded it in January 2006, it left Kolkata at 22:05 and reached NJP at 8:15 next morning, perfectly on time.

regards,

Bhaswaran

steven_ber

Hello wp7713 and welcome to indiamike.com

Do you have a list of the 'Board Trains'?

I think I could guess some of them, but that's all it would be, a guess.

wp7713

Thanks for the welcome Steven!
I don't have a list of Board Trains, but I'm confident I will be able to construct one. However, I'm about to go on a family holiday; so you won't have it for a fortnight.

I only discovered this site today: it's great.

wp7713

Janice,
Just keep calm. Delhi arrival can be hectic. But as you say, it's arranged. Sealdah arrival can be the same; the ref room is one floor above the concourse. If you go there first, it may help you to get your bearings, and not get flustered.

Last time I was in Calcutta, I loved it!

Though I did not at other times. My first time, I was all keyed up to arrive off a train at Howrah ( and to get a train out the next night) but it was much easier than I was expecting. Still made some bad mistakes though..

I think it helps if you stay at a good place too.

All best for your trip

steven_ber

I'm looking forward to seeing the list.

(I've always wanted to do a list of trains with a foriegn tourist quota, but it'd take to long to research as the info in local timetables is patchy at best.)

Enjoy your holiday.

wp7713

Thanks, Steven.
Apart from Rajdhanis/ Shatabdis, the Board list includes Nilagari Exp, 1/2 Howrah-Kalka Mails.
I'll send you the rest when I return ( those are just what I remember).

Foreign Tourist Quota is usually misunderstood. It refers to only a few berths in some trains.

People arrive in India and expect that there is a blanket quota: it is in some trains and some classes only.