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.
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).
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 26th
December 2012. The train arrived at
the station at 1330 hours which was ready to depart at sharp 1400.
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The Ticket |
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Picture Taken en route Delhi |
The difference
The difference between 2nd AC compartments and
the first AC is that, the 1st 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
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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 (2nd & 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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The Youngest Daughter |
So, the day sets at New Bongaigaon a small city 180 km
away from Guwahati – my destination.
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Evening at New Bongaigaon Station |
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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
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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
Nicely written in a very poetic manner...end could have more better...but good effort and very good impression (marketing) of Indian Railways ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks Ritesh, I was short of time. Will modify the end if time permits. Keep reading, there are many such incidents/experiences that I have shared on my blog.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy :)
awesome! the whole 27 hours journey wonderfully explained. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Bhai....Ab Share kar de :D
ReplyDeleteGood narration complete with pictures.... Just that it is bogie and boogie:-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Manish for pointing it out, Changes are made :D
ReplyDeleteUr blog remind me of chetan bhagat vivek......u r awsome writer...
ReplyDeleteThat was a very big compliment Chachi, Thanks !!
ReplyDeletehow many seats to sleep in one cabin???
ReplyDeleteA First AC Coach Consists of Cabins named - A to H. A, B, C, D , E, F & G have four seats while H has only two seats (Upper & Lower)
Delete