My Train Journeys - Part V: The Rajdhani Express - Indian Common Man's Dream Train
Posted 07-24-09 at 05:15 PM by just4kix
In 1984, I got a chance to visit New Delhi. This journey holds a special status for me. For one, I got to fly for the first time - Pune to New Delhi. Secondly, on my return journey, I booked myself on Rajdhani Express and that was the another first time for me.
In those days, there were only two sets of Rajdhani's - one to Howrah via Kanpur, Mughal Sarai, Gaya and the other to Mumbai via Kota, Ratlam, Vadodara.
The Rajdhani rolled in around 4:45 PM. It had 2 AC I, 2 AC II Sleepers and about 9 or 10 AC Chair Cars. I boarded my AC Chair Car and settled down. I had a window seat but considering that the seats were facing the wrong way and the dark glass outside, it meant zero.
The train left NDLS around 5 PM pulled by its customary twin diesel engines. The complete track was not electrified at that time and the Rajdhani could not be delayed for Engine changes (except at Ratlam).
The Rajdhani with its twin diesels as it was in those days
In India Rajdhani (and Shatabdi) is the only way to travel if you wish to have the luxury feeling. Tea and Snacks were served soon after. At around 8 PM, it made a technical halt at Gangapur City (nice for an 'oxygen' break)
. After the train left Gangapur City, dinner was served. The train has public announcement system and music. I haven't travelled by the latest Rajdhani (with its new coaches) so do not know about the new features.
The chair car is not comfortable for sleeping but what the hell! I was too excited to care. I woke up early morning when the train was just crossing into Gujarat. Vadodara arrived soon and tea/breakfast was served. The train arrived in Mumbai around 10:20 AM.
A typical Rajdhani AC Chair Car
I had at last fulfilled my dream. My only regret is that I do not get any chance to travel by this train. For one, I did not have relatives Delhi then. Secondly, it was expensive to travel and had no connection from Pune; the lost time in connections made no real sense. Lastly, when it became affordable and I had now relatives to visit, Air travel became affordable also.
151 Dn. rajdhani Express pulling out of BCT station
A beuatiful view of Rajdhani express accented by the curve bank
The Rajdhani Express received new coaches after the turn of the millennium.
The New Rajdhani with latest coaches
Now that my sister lives in Gurgaon, on my next visit I will travel by AC I Class on this train. But then again, hang on - the Pune-Delhi Duronto AC train has also been started.
... end of Part V ...
In those days, there were only two sets of Rajdhani's - one to Howrah via Kanpur, Mughal Sarai, Gaya and the other to Mumbai via Kota, Ratlam, Vadodara.
The Rajdhani rolled in around 4:45 PM. It had 2 AC I, 2 AC II Sleepers and about 9 or 10 AC Chair Cars. I boarded my AC Chair Car and settled down. I had a window seat but considering that the seats were facing the wrong way and the dark glass outside, it meant zero.
The train left NDLS around 5 PM pulled by its customary twin diesel engines. The complete track was not electrified at that time and the Rajdhani could not be delayed for Engine changes (except at Ratlam).
The Rajdhani with its twin diesels as it was in those days
In India Rajdhani (and Shatabdi) is the only way to travel if you wish to have the luxury feeling. Tea and Snacks were served soon after. At around 8 PM, it made a technical halt at Gangapur City (nice for an 'oxygen' break)
. After the train left Gangapur City, dinner was served. The train has public announcement system and music. I haven't travelled by the latest Rajdhani (with its new coaches) so do not know about the new features.The chair car is not comfortable for sleeping but what the hell! I was too excited to care. I woke up early morning when the train was just crossing into Gujarat. Vadodara arrived soon and tea/breakfast was served. The train arrived in Mumbai around 10:20 AM.
A typical Rajdhani AC Chair Car
I had at last fulfilled my dream. My only regret is that I do not get any chance to travel by this train. For one, I did not have relatives Delhi then. Secondly, it was expensive to travel and had no connection from Pune; the lost time in connections made no real sense. Lastly, when it became affordable and I had now relatives to visit, Air travel became affordable also.
151 Dn. rajdhani Express pulling out of BCT station
A beuatiful view of Rajdhani express accented by the curve bank
The Rajdhani Express received new coaches after the turn of the millennium.
The New Rajdhani with latest coaches
Now that my sister lives in Gurgaon, on my next visit I will travel by AC I Class on this train. But then again, hang on - the Pune-Delhi Duronto AC train has also been started.
... end of Part V ...
Total Comments 2
Comments
 |  Lovely story... I know travelling in Rajdhani in early 80s would have been a dream come true... I've travelled couple of times from Patna to Delhi in Rajdhani 6-7 years back... It's truly a class apart... |
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| |  The Rajdhani experience is a must have for everyone. In my times there were only two Rajdhani's and the fare was trully expensive for the common man. Hence the journey was even more exclusive. |
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Recent Blog Entries by just4kix
- My Train Journeys - Part V: The Rajdhani Express - Indian Common Man's Dream Train (07-24-09)
- My train journeys - Part IV: The Nostalgic Deccan Queen (07-22-09)
- My train journeys - Part III: Sojourns on the Western Railway (07-21-09)
- My Train Journeys - Part II: The Majestic Frontier Mail (07-21-09)
- My Train Journeys - Part I: The Early Years (07-21-09)
