There was a time when trains used to be my favorite mode of travel. I still like it but I would happily take a flight over a train if it is available. Among all the journeys that I end up embarking on trains by the Indian Railway, I prefer the Shatabdi Express experiences the best. And there are many reason for this:
Short Journeys
Most Shatabdi journeys are half-a-day journeys. By the time you start fidgeting, you are already halfway through to your destination! Now is that not a plus? My major quarrel with the Indian railways is that they do not keep the trains clean, not even the AC, not even the premium trains like Rajdhani. I can take all this for half-a-day, or at best overnight, beyond that I do not feel thrilled at the prospect of train travel.
Breakfast
As I have to get up really early to catch a Shatabdi Express train, it helps that they provide the breakfast. I know there are various horror videos about train food, but I still manage to eat breakfast most of the times. Dinner is another matter though. I have completely stopped eating dinner on the Shatabdi. I prefer to go home and eat, however late it gets. There have been some attempts to improve the breakfast, but most of the time it is quite uninspiring.
That Window Seat
I love window seats, be it bus, train, plane, car, or whatever! When I book my train tickets, I make sure that I have a window seat. It is easier to pass time sitting by a window. This goes for a toss if my daughter is traveling with me. She doesnβt let anyone else sit at the window. It is all hers for all the journeys!
The window seat also provides for some interesting sights when the train is at the platform. I made this video ages ago at Busawal station!
Reading a Book
In the 5β6 hours that a Shatabdi train takes to reach its destination, I can easily finish a 200β300 page book. In my student life, I read so many books at one go; now one of the places it still happens is inside a Shatabdi Express train. Otherwise, I hardly find time to sit still and finish a book at one go.
Falling Asleep
Most of us have to get up really early to catch a Shatabdi. While I prefer to read a book, I often end up falling asleep, particularly after breakfast! That leaves me somewhat fresh when I arrive at the destination.
As my father used to work for the Railways, it was a way of life for us. He is retired now. It really pains me to see that the maintenance of the Indian Railways has gone down so much. I still love to sit by the window and watch the world go by from a train. Itβs just that I have a little patience for the filth that comes with it.
Its been years I traveled in train. But I have lots of nice childhood memories from train journey. Nice photos as usual, Mridula and it was like traveling with you. wonderful experience π
Thank you so much.
A nice post π
I loved train journeys when I was a child, but now I feel train journeys are very hectic and tiresome. I would also prefer a flight any day π
It is the same with me. π
I love trains as well, but often end up flying now a days and it’s usually due to time. But the romance of trains lingers on…
Siddhartha I wonder why the romance vanished for me π
Train journeys have always been special. As kids we used to travel a lot especially the long distance ones which takes us from the northern part of India to the southern part (so almost 2 days in train!) where we could interact with strangers, read novels, etc ..but now things have changed…Its no more the same… though the memories are still intact … π
Same here Arun, I used to love them s kids but it has changed.
Great post, Mridula, with good reasons in favour of the Shatabdi:)
Pls check the meanings of ‘khalish’ on my post:) Thank you:)
Thank you Amit.
My love for train journeys has grown over the years. While the filth is a deterrent, I am generally able to put up with it.
The 2 biggest incentives of travelling by train in a country as vast and diverse as India is (1) the food, you get to taste every local cuisine/speciality and (2) the people you get to meet.
Leaving with a quote from Paul Theroux which pretty much sums up what I feel, “there has hardly been a time when I have seen a train and not wished I was on it” π
Pradeep π thank you so much. There was time when I felt like that. I wish it will come back!
Its good that you write about Indian railways and your experiences with them once in a while (I remember reading your old posts on trains). I hope railway ministry start taking stock of feedback by passionate travelers like you and improve the conditions as train journey can be very comfortable particularly for families with young kids.
True Roohi, my husband once dared to travel from Bangalore to Delhi with Chhavi but I have refused till now. I end up taking a flight!
I always prefer Shatabdi Express whenever I’ve to travel by train. I think, if only we have a little more time, train journeys are much more comfortable and enjoyable than flights.
Maniparna I believe if they kept it clean I would be more willing to travel on a train.
I’ve never taken the Shatabdi except the Delhi – Chandigarh one… and one Shatabdi like for fun and kicks to enjoy the first class coupe :p was fun :p Mumbai – Delhi π
I love train journeys .. reminds me of school summer holidays when we went all the way to Kolkata by punjab mail took 3 days to reach π
and delhi chandigarh shatabadi is a blessing for me .. very dangerous to travel by road π
Bikram’s
I love train journeys too! Especially the long distance ones that cut across the length of Indiaβ¦ love seeing the terrain change and the features of the people. Love eating all the specialities at the big stationsβ¦ love crossing major rivers and tossing a coin to make a wish. But I can’t agree with you more on the cleanliness part of itβ¦ it just seems to be getting worse! π
And hence I m sort of not liking it too much these days π
I too do not do not feel thrilled at the prospect of train travel beyond half-a-day, or overnight. But I expect some improvements after the recent initiative by the Govt to revamp the Indian railway.
I also sincerely hope so, because otherwise I like train journeys.
Love… Loveee train journey. The long distance journeys gives so many experience right from interacting with new people…to beautiful natural scenery.. and the fun of going by train in group (with friends/family) π and I have started dreaming of vacations in my mind π
Good for you Deepa.
There is something very soothing about a train journey!
Yes Ldy Fi but in India it has other issues too.
First time I have seen platform without any passenger π
Enjoyed your post !
Good observation Mahesh, maybe because it was Palace on Wheels on the platform?
Shatabdi Express experience is the best, indeed. π
But I want it to be much better!
My main problem with Shatabdi is that they keep bringing some item at regular intervals… can’t finish eating and go to sleep, unless you want to miss some items…
Also quality and quantity of food in Shatabdi has gone down over years due to cost cutting
Our trains have sure come a long way ….
Trains are lifeline of a common Indian Mridula ji . Shatabadi ka safar bahut achchha lagaa . you can always find these words as ΰ€¦ΰ€΅ΰ€Ύΰ€ΰ€Ύΰ€¨ΰ€Ύ on both sides of the track specially travelling in northern India.