Indian railways is a part of India. Trains are the glory of India. It is one of the best ways to explore India. It is also cheap and best way to travel some where in India. In India trains run in all four directions. There are so many small and big Railway Stations in India. Trains play a big role in transportation also. A huge number of people travel here and there in India. For some people, it is a part of their life. Indian railways has a many class of travel that you can choose from, depending on your pocket. 1st AC, 2nd AC, 3rd AC, sleeper class, chair car are the different types of class. 1st AC is the most expensive bogey of the train while the 2nd and 3rd AC are more affordable. The fare of 1st AC may be equivalent to Air ticket depending on how much miles you are going to cover. The compartment of 2nd AC is more comfortable comparatively to 3rd AC.
Although I have been travel in trains many times in my life but it was my first experience to travel with Rajdhani Express. Rajdhani Express is the best train in India. It runs on long route. I reserved two tickets of 2nd AC class, one for me and one for my wife. Our numbers were in waiting list but I still had a month. I was sure that the tickets would be confirm by the time. Before three days of departure of the train, our tickets have been confirmed. I said my wife to pack the luggage. She felt very happy.
Now the day had come up. We packed our luggage and moved towards Nizzamudin Railway Station to start our souvenir journey. You will see some small tea stalls, book stalls, Children selling somethings, beggars, announcement about trains, and huge crowd at the station. Whenever you go through over crowded areas take care of pickpockets specially at railway stations and when you travel in buses. The train was ready at the platform before half an hour of departure. We entered in train and kept our luggage under our seats. The temperature was set to 23 degrees. The time was 11:00 AM when train left the station. Your all meals are including in your tickets when you travel by Rajdhani Express so don't buy any eatable things from the station.
Your journey becomes good when your fellow traveller is good. Our fellow traveller was a newly wedded couple who were going to Goa to celebrate their honeymoon. During journey we became friends for a short time. After 10 minutes waiter came with the bottles of mineral water in his bucket and gave two bottles to each passenger. There are two waiters in every compartment who serve for you and one police man who cares for you. It was just 45 minutes passed when waiter came with cold drinks and one small diary and a pen asked us, what we would like to have in lunch. I ordered for non-veg and my wife ordered for veg food. At 01:00 PM they started to serve food to the passengers. I opened my food there was chicken curry, lentil, rice, two chapatis, salads and dessert. I think this is enough meal for one person but don't ever think that they will refuse you to serve more. If you are still hungry ask to serve one more portion they will serve you with a smile. Food was great and hygienic. The difference in veg and non-veg food is only mixed veg instead of chicken curry.
After some time ticket checker came to us to check our ticket. I showed him he said "OK enjoy the journey". During checking I asked him, I want to see the first class cabin if possible. He was kind enough, he said "I will take you in first class cabin tomorrow at 10:00 AM" I thanked him. I asked his name he said "Ram Ji Lal". When it was around 05:00 PM waiters came with evening drinks not with the hard drinks that you people are thinking but with tea and coffee. Its your choice what you would like to drink, tea or coffee. Black tea and coffee were serve in kettle with separate sugar, milk and some biscuits. They were serving tea and coffee furthermore, they were taking orders for dinner also. Again we ordered the same. At 07:30 PM they served tomato soup before dinner with two bread sticks which were round in shape. I did not had the foggiest idea, they would serve soup also. After 20 minutes of soup they brought food. The train was in Gujarat state so their was a flavor of Gujarat in our food. After finishing food, we took a walk and went to sleep.
Next morning we woke up with the voice of waiters. They were saying its tea time. We woke up with rubbing our eyes. The time was 07:00 AM when I saw in my wrist watch. We brushed our teeth and drank our tea sipping noisily. The taste of morning tea in train was amazing. I drank two cups of tea. After half an hour waiters came to take orders for breakfast. You people must be thinking that in the morning they would serve vegetarian food but you are wrong. I again ordered for non-vegetarian food. My wife also ordered the same like me. The menu of non-veg breakfast was two breads, jam, butter and a omelet with tea and coffee. If you think its not enough, you can have more. We finished our breakfast. One thing you can not do on a plane or a luxury bus but can do in an Indian railways. Stand at the open door and enjoy the beautiful scenes and air but be careful. I stood up to the doors of train to view the scenes of outside. Our train was going through so many tunnels. But one tunnel came in our route, it was about 9 kilo meters long. One of the passengers told us, this is the longest tunnel in India on train track.
Now it was 10:00 AM. Ticket checker came in our compartment. I wished him good morning. He still remembered that yesterday I requested him to visit in first class cabin whereas I had forgotten about it. He took us with him to view first class cabin. First class couch was having 9 private compartments with two sleeping births, carpets on floor, wooden furnished, curtains, door and great sleeping accommodation. Mr. Ram Ji Lal said, "the service of 1st AC is much higher than the 2nd and 3rd AC". The menu is different. They would serve you like you are their Son in Law. Time was passing smoothly now it was lunch time. We finished our lunch. At 02:00 PM we packed our things because the train was arriving to our destination. I gave 200 rupees to the waiters as a tip. They served us very well. At 02:30 PM the train was on our destination. We left the train with sweet memories. Wish you happy journey.Things to remember
1. Reserve your ticket before one month of travelling.
2. For couples book tickets for 2nd class.
3. Don't carry bottles of whiskey in trains.
4. Reach 45 minutes before at the station from the departure time.
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