Its amazing what technology can do. When I was a kid we use to travel frequently between Asansol and Kolkata and remember we use to do the reservation in card tkt and the person use to write the details in register. To book a return tkt one has to submit a requisition and then they use send some telex or telegram and you need to frequent visit to the station to know the update. Once we were going for a vacation to North (Delhi-Mussorie) and we were to come back before Durga Puja. So to book a return ticket we could not afford to wait for such a long process. My father's friend in Delhi got the booking for us and that was the first time I saw a computerized reservation ticket. Even after computerization there were limitations which now is non existant. I dont remember when I last visted reservation...
more... center or station to do a reservation. Now we can book our Mumbai subarban ticket online as well. Its a marvellous journey of Indian Railways. We criticize a lot but we should take a moment and appreciate the effort that goes on to make our journey and life comfortable. Running such a big infrastructure and such a huge system is not a joke. There is always a place for improvement. But lets appreciate of what we are getting. Imagine those card ticket and steam and small loco engine days to high end WAP 4/5/7 locos the dim bulbs in the coach to bright illuminated fluroscent lights. Sitting in our comfort of home and willingly checking ticket status, train running and booking online at will. I hope we will see further improvement which will make the present ones look obselete