In between trips continue our acquaintance with the Indian public transport. We already had a ride on pedicabs , descend into the subway and explore the features of Indian buses. But we still have not mentioned a single word about the most important and almost nayzatrebuvanishyy mode of transportation — trains. With high probability it can be argued that in our area dominated stereotype that the average Indian must train like tightly stuffed sausages. So, actually, this is not surprising, given the fact that India is second in population only to China and the Indian Rail is one of the longest in the world (about 7 thousand. Stations to more than 60 thousand. Km of roads). Incidentally, the state company «Indian Railways» for one day, on average, carries approximately 30 million passengers and 2.5 mln. Tons of cargo (about 1 billion tons per year).
Hypothetically, an Indian train should look like (photo — Anya Schiffrin ):
1In reality, such exotic India does not occur often, more precisely — almost never. Is that in the day some major holidays when demand far exceeds supply.
Live it looks something like this:
A landing in these peak hours — a process more fun. To make it even take a place in the car and do not risk their lives on the roof or in a doorway, people go jump in the cars before the train stops:
To our great regret, we witnessed such exotic and did not. Our travel by Indian trains were exclusively cultural, and refined from boring.
Alleppey Railway Station. At each platform must have a clock. Places expectations for the first bed (sleeper) and other classes separated — in the tradition of segregation.
2
If the road you suddenly get hungry, many points of catering products and friendly traders are always ready to help you. After drinking tea, we talked to one of the sellers, who explained to us some details IZD use.
4It turned out that we bought a ticket to the overall car (no class) and so can not wait for a particular train and sit on either — fitted to the main direction.
Indian leaders, unlike our very hospitable people and not close the door after the start of the train. If you’re a little late, do not cry and show his hands on the emergency brake — just jump in next door. That’s what we did, overtaking our first train.
Kollam (destination) was very close, so we decided to taste Indian Railway extreme and bought the cheapest tickets. Unfortunately, this time was not to — catching us on the approach to a common carriage, caring Indians tried hard to scare us an excess of «exotic», occasionally pointing toward higher the class carriages. Even the conductor decided that the delicate white masters quite dangerous to ride in the overall car, check ticket just smiled.
Here follows a ticket to the overall car — no space or time train departure. On the day of buying a ticket can get on any train in the right direction.
5It turned out that we were in sleeping (called sliper class, class sleeper) not conditioning coach:
6Recalls our reserved seat, except that on the third shelf in place additional things are neighbors.
The windows grilles and fans instead of air conditioners.
7The next opportunity to ride the train happened to us in Tuticorin. The screen on the station began to work immediately after the arrival of the train:
8As everywhere in India, the staff is very friendly, but unfortunately with bad English, so train acting skills.
9
Rich people are too free to manage their own time, so the ticket clearly the date of departure and number of trains. Time is not specified. It you have to learn yourself when buying a ticket or look in the directory (by train number).
During the stay special train carriages on employee rozkleyuye sheet with the names, and you need to find ourselves and remember «generated» number of seats.
12Place «generated» on the basis of gender and age data of all passengers traveling this class.
By purchasing a ticket you certainly can specify that you want to select the bottom shelf or compartment when traveling company. But no one cares. Respectable Indian, which lists is never not allow unmarried young girl was traveling in the company of young boys and vice versa. When buying a ticket filled application form, which must specify everything — sex, age, sexual preference and more. Here follows a recap compartments:
13The first class is no different from our cars wardrobes, unless more different toggle switch / circuit breaker and powerful air conditioning.
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First class — a great place to make acquaintance with steep Indian businessmen. One advanced Injun told us that this is not the best option for the money spent. It is difficult to imagine what could be the best in Indian train, maybe a coach or business class ultrapershyy.
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To summarize this article and make it a little useful to travelers, we gathered some information and try to structure it.
Classes of Indian cars and their differences:
Classless overall car / Second Sitting, General Class (code: 2S) — the cheapest, a dangerous and least comfortable way to travel in Indian trains. For tickets not stamped or train number, departure time or — you can leave any train in which you like. Locate your body can mostly on wooden shelves — 3 in the compartment and 2 side. Find space may either very lucky or very strong man. If you will take the top place, you can stay in relative solitude. Below is obiynyavshys have to sleep with other neighbors.
Approximate fare: $1 500 km.
Sleeper / Class Sleeper (code: SL) — very similar to our reserved seat, but the compartment is not four, and six shelves (three tiers). Take a reclining position only succeed if you are lucky zahnizdytysya on the upper shelves. The baggage will have to take with you. Below rozsidayetsya much less nimble and motor people. Average shelf disconnected only at night. Linen not issued. A large number of beggars. No air conditioning, only fans. The windows without glass, with bars.
Approximate fare: $5 per 1,000 km.
The third class, air-conditioned / AC 3 Tier (Code: 3A) — virtually the same bedroom, six shelves in the compartment (three stories) and two side. Tightly sealed windows and constantly uviknenyy air conditioning. According face control corresponds conductor, so there is always space. Sellers anything else and cleaners compartment that vytsyhanyuyut small coin for their work, are not counted. Free underwear be issued a blanket — in connection with air conditioning, is somewhat cool.
Approximate fare: 10 USD per 1000 km.
The second class air conditioned / AC 2 Tier (Code: 2A) — differs higher price in four compartment shelves in two layers, the almost complete similarity to our reserved seat. All compartments separated by the passage of long curtains.
Approximate fare: 20 USD per 1000 km.
The first class, air-conditioned / First class Air-Conditioned (ID: 1A) — analog of our wardrobes, but conditioned rooms. One of the most expensive options. This type of cars are not included in all directions, but mostly only for long distance.
Approximate fare: 30 USD per 1000 km.
If you can not buy a train ticket, you can use this service as a “wait list” (veytlyst).
For veytlystom tickets can be purchased without a predetermined place and even wagon number, but give you the right to go and train in the appropriate class (depending on the ticket) to a particular destination. Even while in the car, you can try to find a place for free or for a small tip conductor.
And finally, where you can buy tickets online.
India Railways official website:
http://www.indianrail.gov.in
Third-party services:
http://www.trainenquiry.com/
http://www.irctc.co.in/
If possible, we recommend to buy tickets directly at the box office. If you buy a ticket via the Internet, it is best to quickly change it to the paper version, otherwise, thanks to the Indian «computerization», you can get to veytlysta.