OK,so as i had promised to narrate my further story,here I am.
After we reached NDLS at 17.30,we made in to a hotel in Paharganj area.We all freshened up and left the hotel at 8.30pm to Old Delhi railway station as we had to board the Dhauladhar express.We did not get bookings in any other direct train to Jammu so booked till Pathankot.We boarded an auto rickshaw and reached OLD DELHI STATION at around 9pm.Got into a restaurant at the station but I and dad were upset as being some festival,non veg was not available that day.We had to end up eating veg.I asked dad for a soft drink and dad was sad as he wasn't able to get non veg food.He...
more... jokingly said,KABHI TOH APNE POCKET MEIN HAATH DAAL.But ultimalely paid from his own pocket.Luggage was checked and ha a pastry from pf 1.The huge coloured indicator outside the station showed that Dhauladhar express would depart from pf 15 i guess.My dad appreciated the huge indicator display.One good thing about old Delhi station is that,it has escalators (moving stairs) which eases the carrying of luggage.We moved towards our platform and saw a huge rush.People were waiting on the stairs for the train.The platform was dirty.Train arrived at 9.50 pm without a wash I guess full of dirt.Ours was B2 coach and was 3 boogies behind the engine.We quickly rushed towards our boogie as only 15 minutes were left for departure.Got into our boogie which was not in a good condition at all.But the interior was clean enough.Me and dad was standing out for the green signal.At around 10.05pm,the signal was green.We got into our coach but the attendant told that it would start with a delay of 15 minutes as it had arrived late from the shed.I again got down and saw that the train was getting loaded with parcels.At last it started at 10.20pm with a 10 minute delay.The loco pilot waved a green flag and started the musical horn of the WDP loco which was a delight to the ears.We got moving at a slow pace.All my family members were allotted upper berth and one was middle.But the two guys who had the lower berths asked for our upper berths in exchange.I and mom were more than happy to get a lower berth.Then came the Veg biryana walas selling it at RS 100.No one showed interest as it costed too much.Did not exceed 10kmph till Delhi kishanganj.Shakurbasti arrived at around 11pm and we were now Late by almost 25minutes.Two trains overtook us but wasn't sure which as it was dark.Then the train gained some good speed and the roar of WDP loco was audible.Rohtak arrived at 23.50.We had covered 20 minutes till Rohtak.Then I slept.Then I got up at JALANDHAR CANTT at 6.30am.Now the train was running late by an hour.Too my surprise,3/4th compartment was empty.Many people deboarded at LUDHIANA and Jalandhar Cantt.Now I occupied the the chair cum bed beside my berth.Got down at Dasuya,a minor halt of 2 minutes.Then again our train marched through the forest like a pouncing Tiger.Maintained a speed of above 80kmph and slowed down near chakki bank.I thought this train bypassed chakki bank but it skipped chakki bank at 25kmph.At that time I felt proud to be in this train as all trains to Jammu stopped at chakki bank but we skipped it.You can call this childish.Saw a military coach in a stationary position at Chakki bank and reached Pathankot at 8.05am,right time.Hope you like my second part.
My travel ahead from Pathankot to Kashmir will be posted in the next travellogue.