Getting Train tickets from Kalka to Shimla

Seats on the Himalayan Queen can only be booked 30 days ahead of time. We are rapidly approaching that date. We had hoped to book through12go.asia but all of a sudden they are booked up till July ???

Now we are trying to register on arctc.co.in - well I had heard it was hard. It is very hard. Seat 61 has helpful hints but nothing seems to help. One in our group got a response to her email address but nothing to her cell phone.
Any helpful tips would be most welcome. Also is it necessary for the cell phone to be involved in this registration and confirmation.
HELP and thanks.

Now we are trying to register on arctc.co.in

Said with all the love in the world - it will be hard if you make similar keystroke errors in the registration process.
https://www.irctc.co.in/nget/

It is very hard.

It really isn't.

Also is it necessary for the cell phone to be involved in this registration and confirmation.

Yes, you need the mobile number because the IRCTC will send you a OTP (One Time Password) by text. Have you remembered to include your country code when inputting the number?

Any helpful tips would be most welcome.

Well, we need to know exactly on which what part of the process you are stuck.

Use a PC or a laptop - not a mobile device.
Clear you cache and try again.
Use Firefox.
Tell your credit card provider you are making purchases on the sub-continent.

http://contents.irctc.co.in/en/Internation_User_guide.pdf

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Clear your cache - see what I mean about being careful?

A few other thoughts / questions.

Persist.

If you are only registering with the IRCTC now, how are you getting to Kalka?

When making the registration payment, if the "ATOM" gateway is an option use it. And for all bookings use the 'Powered by ATOM' gateway.

If it is "all too hard" Google "train ticket please" - I'm sure you'll find something to help that way.

Hi

It is true that you should book a train at least 30-45 days prior to your travelling dates otherwise it will show full and there can be chances that IRCTC may release the seats in the end depending upon cancellations hence they have a Tatkal service that might help in doing last moment reservation.
On the basis of your travelling dates and travel destination, I can check and update you the current status of Himalayan Queen

Thank you for all your information. After 3 of us trying to register with IRCTC we contacted a highly recommended tour company in Delhi and they came through in spades, getting us tickets/reservations right as that date was available for sale, and not at an inflated price either. IRCTC is not an easy website to go through.

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