The First AC - Rajdhani Express

Edited & Updated:17/02/2016
Also read my blog (a Photo Story): Traveling on Indian Railways

Courtesy - Papa for getting the ticket done.

Train journeys, yet another experience. And it finally did happen, my childhood dream – “Rajdhani First AC” journey, and it was magnificent.

The journey began from New Delhi Railway Station on 26^th December 2012. The train arrived at the station at 1330 hours which was ready to depart at sharp 1400.

The Ticket

Picture Taken en route Delhi

The difference

The difference between 2^nd AC compartments and the first AC is that, the 1^st AC compartment are more spacious, has wider seats, each cabin has a door, and since it is ‘Rajdhani’ you have additional benefits, which I’ll come to, but later.

The whole bogie is divided into such compartments from A – H

The Compartments and the corridor[Below] and the Cabin [Above]

  

And yet again, like before every journey, I was waiting for somebody to be there in my compartment, so that the journey becomes bliss, but nothing of that sort happens. My co-passengers were sweet – An Army Officer, his wife and a sweet little kid going to Dibrugarh.

Dibrugarh is a place in Assam, Far East near Arunachal Pradesh. It is around 460Km away from Guwahati.

Welcome:

It is either in the airplane when, you are welcomed aboard or in Rajdhani First AC.

An attendant, with a pseudo male Cabin Crew came to each cabin with a rose for the passengers and attendant with some chocolates.

The Food – Snacks/Lunch/Dinner:

The thing that I like about Rajdhani is that along with a comfortable ride, is punctual – most of the time, ,it is that Khaate Pilate Le jaate Hai (They keep serving you snacks/meals from time to time).

So, you are first served with lunch at around 1430hrs. Since, unlike others Class (2^nd & 3-Tier) in which meals are prepared at a base kitchen. The food served in the first AC is prepared at its very own Pantry car, which is the bogie just adjacent to it.

At the Pantry Car

You have a variety of options for the lunch & dinner – Vegetarian, Non-Vegetarian, Continental and Jain. The food is good, I won’t call it damn tasty, but soothing to the taste buds.

The Lunch

 

Since, after the lovely food, you would be stuffed. So, one could lie down on those comfortable seats. Listen to music, read Railbandhu- Indian Railway’s in-house magazine, or some novel that you recently picked up. Otherwise you can doze off if you wish to.

At around 4:30PM you, will be served with a plate full of snacks containing – A Cheese sandwich, 2 chocolate candies, A piece of samosa, a fruit drink 200mL, and tea/coffee sachet.

My Evening Coffee

Since, it was winters. The sun would set early; otherwise you would be able to see the sun setting in at Kanpur Station at around 6:30pm. Sometime later, you would be served with hot soup – Tomato/Mix Veg/Sweet Corn.

Tomato Soup Served Hot

Kanpur is a small city in Central Uttar Pradesh, India

One interesting fact that I am always reminded through this journey is that the Delhi Guwahati route covers 3 cities where we have the Indian Institute of Technology – Delhi, Kanpur & Guwahati. It’s unique, isn't it?

And after reading this, my brother will say, “Tere blogs main IIT ka hona Zaroori hai kya ?” (“Is it necessary to put IITs into your every other blog?” ) :P

Since, Rajdhani is one of those trains in which, all the bogies are air conditioned and if you don’t have anything to do, you can go and scan the whole train, you know what I mean ;)

I mean, you might find someone from the same college who too would be sitting, getting bugged, so give him a company, share “Ghar ka Khaana”, tell him/her some interesting stories from your holidays, or your experiences at a conference that you attended during the holidays, or escaped to Goa with your friends.

And as it always happens, you will realize that time would pass fast with a good company. It will then be time for you should return to your bogie for the dinner and retire for the night. Wait, don’t forget the Ice Cream and switch on the night light right above your head if you plan to go on reading something.

The morning you wake up to the “Beauty of Bengal” with Green paddy fields, Bamboo farms and other vegetation. You cross many rivers, lakes and canals – Thanks to Brahmaputra and Tributaries.

The Green Fields

And session for Early Tea, then breakfast continues.

But there are times that you don’t get your tickets confirmed. And there would some people who were in the same exact situation. A Mother with her two daughters could not get the tickets confirmed

And, since my co-passengers offered for help & the girls came & shared the seat.

The Youngest Daughter

So, the day sets at New Bongaigaon a small city 180 km away from Guwahati – my destination. 

Evening at New Bongaigaon Station

After of couple of hours, when I was reading my novel, a felt that there is a large bridge passing, and seems really long. To my surprise it was the Saraighat Bridge, and in an instant I was down from the seat seeing the beautiful lights which are still put on there as it marked 50 Years of Saraight Bridge connecting North Guwahati with the South through Road (on top) and Rail (on the bottom).

Celebrating 50 Years of Saraighat Bridge [Courtesy - Biju Boro]

After the final good bye to the sweet family, I was set for a short (20 Km) journey to my campus – IIT Guwahati.

I hope you liked it, do leave a comment. And stay tuned for more interesting stuff to read.
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Tags: 1st AC Cabin of Rajdhani, Rajdhani Vs Gatimaan Express, Indian Railways, Pictures of Indian Railways, Trains in India, New Delhi, Guwahati, Gauhati, Dibrugarh, Train Travel, Train Journeys, Pictures of Indian Trains, Rajdhani