Indian trains

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italihurr
italihurr

I was looking forward to travelling first class but non- a/c on Indian trains. However, just read on a website that:

first class non-air-conditioned coaches are lockable 4-berth and 2-berth compartments. Bedding is not included in the fare, but may be available for a small extra charge if booked in advance. Non-AC 1st class accommodation has now almost disappeared, as Indian Railways have largely phased it out in favour of AC 2-tier. It is generally grubbier than either AC1, AC2 or AC3 as it is not sealed against the dirt.

Just my luck, because one thing I truly cannot bear is travelling while "locked in" behind sealed and possibly tinted windows, thus effectively cut off from the life, colour, smells on the outside.

Is it so, then, that the effective choice, for an eccentric such as myself, is something air-conditioned (and therefore sealed) or sleeper class?

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uselessbaba
uselessbaba

I'm afraid thats pretty much it.

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laketraveller
laketraveller

Yep. There may still be a couple routes that run the traditional old first class but they are disappearing fast.

Good luck.

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richman
richman

your choices are sleeper class, non a/c chair and best of all: second class without any booking

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avbeach
avbeach

travelling first class and want to experience life, colour, smells on the outside is contradicting.

As the saying goes cant have ones cake and eat it too!

If you want comfort take the AC coaches.

If you want do not want to be cut off from the life, colour, smells on the outside, take the sleeper class.

Edited by: avbeach

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uselessbaba
uselessbaba

#4 you've obviously never travelled in one of the old first class carriages, as that is exactly what you got !!

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italihurr
italihurr

your choices are sleeper class, non a/c chair and best of all: second class without any booking

IS THERE non-a/c chair? My info so far suggests not, but I'd be happy to be wrong on this.

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premkerala
premkerala

Non Ac chair is only available in short distance trains say a journey of 10 hrs. You have to book in advance just like sleeper and ac 2 / 3 tier.

Better take AC and while the train stops venture out on the platform for the color and smell of the surrounding.

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avbeach
avbeach

u would liketo chk info about the garibh rath! fully ac coaches but cheaper!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garib_Rath

Uselesbaba! did not know of the carriages u mentioned! are they still in use?

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uselessbaba
uselessbaba

They still have some of the old rolling stock in Pakistan, but I think it all got upgraded in India years ago. I remember travelling 1st class Delhi-Bombay in '79 we had our own en-suite compartment,everything was polished wood and brass fittings and we had our own waiter. who would fetch us whatever whenever we wanted, ahh, the good old days !

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