I have always been fancied by Indian Railways since my childhood. As little kids we were always excited to travel in trains. Trying to enter the coach first and catch the window seat. The experience of the breeze as it hits your face. I have many memories of travelling in trains. I remember my journey from Hyderabad to Bangalore. Although I don’t remember the dates, but it would have been in summer. It was a steam engine that used to pull the train till Bangalore.
I Remember the journey to Ajmer/Agra and Delhi. The train had steam engine and will start from Kacheguda. It will go via Nizamabad. I don’t remember all the journey since this journey was when I was...
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in 7th standard. I do remember that we had boarded the train on a wrong date and had to travel in general coach. While climbing the Ghats the steam engine showered burning coal. This would land on the slopes and during night it was like stars on the ground. But the coal dust also will make us black during the day journey.
I remember few years back the Nizam’s train was exhibited at Secunderabad station. They had a run up to Medchal. The train was pulled by a steam engine and return by a diesel engine. I took my son with for this journey and he was very excited.
Since I stay very near to Secunderabad Station I take my kids to the station to spot trains and pass time there. That would be cheapest entertainment for them. However, they have grown up now however they are still excited to go by train.
I have made many journeys in Indian Railways after that. I have the option of flying however the satisfaction and peace that I get during a train journey is amazing. I have my in laws staying in Trivandrum. A flight to Trivandrum will take 1 hour 50 mins to reach. Depending on the time you book you can get it for a little higher price than 2AC in Sabari express. Sabari express takes 30 hours to reach. It does save a lot of time however I always plan the trip in a way that I go by Train only even if it takes more than 30 hours.
I used to travel to Trivandrum mostly by Sleeper Class and made sure that we get window seats always. Since the standard of living increased slowly we have upgraded to 3rd AC and now 2nd AC.
I have travelled in garib rath, duronto trains. I wanted to experience Rajdhani Express that too in 1st AC. A recent Vlog on Youtube by Dholesh (200 Journeys) inspired me to take up this journey. I started planning this trip although I was skeptical of going alone. I thought I might get bored. This guy Dholesh (200 Journeys) has experienced travelling in almost all the trains even the recently introduced Train 18. The journey he took in Trivandrum Rajdhani inspired me to take up the same.
I am working for an MNC, hence getting leave is very difficult. You need to plan and get it approved. I did apply leave from 06/24/2019 till 06/28/2019 (5 days). These dates will give me the weekends too totaling to 9 days. I applied for leave and it got approved. I didn’t apply this to travel in Rajdhani, but things started falling in its place.
As I told I was skeptical of travelling alone I asked my elder son who is 16 now whether he will accompany me. He asked me the plan. We were discussing this on 06/22/2019 (Saturday) 7:30PM. If everything went well then, we will have to catch the train on 06/23/2019 (Sunday) from Hazrat Nizamuddin.
PART 2
I explained my son the plan. I told him that we will have to catch an early morning flight to Delhi and at 10:55 AM we will have to catch the Rajdhani. I informed that the train journey will take 45 hours to reach Trivandrum. I also told him that we will be travelling by 1st AC. My son got excited.
I went online and checked for early morning flights to Delhi. Found Spice jet at 5:40 AM 06/23/2019. The arrival time in Delhi was 8:00 AM giving us 2 hours and 55 minutes to reach Hazrat Nizamuddin Station. Then checked for Train tickets. 1st AC available in Trivandrum Rajdhani. I had to calculate the budget for this train and I was ready for it.
The flight tickets costed us Rs. 11000/ and Train tickets were Rs. 7770/ per person. I said to my son “We are going”.
I booked the flight tickets through make my trip and booked Trivandrum Rajdhani on IRCTC. Everything was confirmed. To reach airport on time we will have to start by 3 AM from Secunderabad. I booked the Cab on Make My Trip and got that confirmed too. I said WOW. Everything is working fine.
Me and my son started getting ready. We had one small hurdle that was my younger son. I told him my plan he said to go ahead but he told me that I must take him in my next trip. I promised the same.
Me and my elder son started packing our back packs. We just had very less to carry as we will be mostly travelling. At this moment My son said, I need a headphone. At 8:30Pm we went to a happi store for headset and found one. I told my son we will try not to use the headphones as we will be enjoying the journey.
I fixed an alarm at 2: AM. Me and my son were up by 1 AM itself. At 2:30 AM my cab had reached my home to pick us up. We told him to wait for a while and he agreed. We got ready and were down by 2:50AM. The cab driver was very nice. He drove at a good speed and dropped us at the airport by 3:30 AM.
While walking towards check in we found a kiosk to check in even before entering the airport. We took our boarding passed and headed straight to the security check. Check in done and we went to our gate waiting for boarding. We were hungry and thought of going to KFC however we bought sandwiches which were very costly. The SpiceJet Flight departure time was 5:40 AM and arrival in Delhi was 8 Am. They started the boarding at 5 AM. It was a Jet airways flight re stickered as Spice jet. We boarded the flight and our seats were 19A and 19B. The flight took off at 5:45 AM, five minutes late. They offered us a glass of water. Other flights don’t even do that.
We were flying at an altitude of 35000 feet. We ordered a cup of Tea which was like Rs.100/. The pilot made an announcement at 7:45 that we are on time and landing in Delhi by 8AM. The flight was something different this time. The cabin pressure was high because of which I had severe ear pain. I have travelled in many Airplanes internationally too however this never happened. I had this pain for the first time. I anyhow managed and were off the airline by 8 AM.
PART 3
Once out of the airport I asked for the best way to reach Hazrat Nizamuddin Station. People advised me METRO. When you come out of the airport you will see metro trains running above however this wasn’t the case to reach Hazrat Nizamuddin. I asked a policeman how to reach metro. He guided me to a blue building and to take the lift. As I proceeded I found the lift. Entered the lift and didn’t press any buttons. It took straight to underground metro. I asked at the ticket counter. They informed me that I must take a yellow line to Hauz Khas then a pink line to INA and then yellow line to Hazrat Nizamuddin. The charge was Rs.30 only per person. Since it was a Sunday morning the stations were with very less people. We boarded a yellow line metro to Hauz Khas. It was fast and reach hauz khas within 15 mins. Another metro from Hauz khas to INA. Another 15 minutes and third metro from INA to Hazrat Nizamuddin. The best part of this metro ride was within a minute trains were available at all platforms. We do have to walk a little bit to change the lines however it was something we never did. Best part is you save a lot of money by taking metro in Delhi and most convenient since all the metros were within reachable distance. For example, at airport a five minutes’ walk will take you the metro station and 2 minutes’ walk at Hazrat Nizamuddin will take to the station.
Delhi was quite hot and humid. We reached Nizamuddin at 9:30 AM. So, we still had time for the Rajdhani express. The weather was getting hotter. 35 Deg at 9:30AM. Rajdhani was allotted platform 4. We scanned the baggage and went to the platform. There were many people on the platform however the train was nowhere to be seen. At 10:35 AM Rajdhani was rolled in to the platform 4. We were sitting at the wrong side of the platform hence we had to walk to the end of the train for HAC1. We were allotted cabin F. I made some calculations thought it could be a coupe. However, it was for 4 people. Another gentle man was already in the cabin. He was travelling till Sawantwadi. That means he will be in the cabin for 24 hours. My first journey in Rajdhani HAC1 had started on time. 10:55 AM the train started and had gathered good speed, skipping tughlakabad and many more stations. I couldn’t note the stations that we skipped since my son had occupied the window seat. We were given a water bottle and a mango juice like frooti. At 12 Nawab Singh who was the chef bought us Tomato soup. He asked me if I would like to have Veg or Non-Veg. We informed non-veg (Indian). At 1:30 PM we were served lunch. A bowl of rice. Three rotis, chicken curry, curd, Dal and aaloo curry. It was very tasty and hot as it was made in the pantry. We enjoyed our lunch and were served Amul Vanilla ice cream.
I was just imagining how the plan was going well. Everything was falling in place for me to enjoy the trip. The AC was perfect to have nap. However, I didn’t want to miss the journey so decided to be awake. At 4pm Nawab singh was again at our cabin with Tea. The tray had hot water in a flask, a tea bag, a dairy whitener, Sugar, Caramel popcorn, Kachori and spoons. The tables were arranged for us and we made our tea and finished the snacks provided. Before leaving Nawab singh asked if we would like to have Indian dinner or continental. We ordered continental non-veg.
8PM Nawab singh came back with tomato soup. We enjoyed the same and at 9 pm we were served hot continental non-veg dinner. It had noodles with little vegetables, Pasta, boiled vegetables and two pieces of chicken. Noodles and pasta was bland in taste however the boiled vegetables were good, and the two chicken pieces were very tasty. Dinner followed by Amul Vanilla ice cream. I asked for more ice cream and was given one more cup. Time to sleep as the train was running late by an hour. Made our bed by ourselves. My son took the upper berth and I was on the lower. I had a very sound sleep as I do always in Indian trains. I forget everything once I board the train. It refreshes me.
PART 4
Morning 5 AM I just woke up and found that we were at Panvel. The train halted for 10 mins and resumed its journey again. I dozed off again and got up at 6:30AM. Again, Nawab Singh came in at 7 AM with tea and Marie biscuit. I woke up my son and had hot tea. Around 7:30 we stopped at Anjani. The train had a stop for almost 15 minutes. I got down and clicked some pictures as there was greenery everywhere. The train started and served with breakfast. My son opted for continental nonveg breakfast and I opted for Indian Veg breakfast. Continental breakfast had bread/omelet with corn flakes, milk and sugar. Indian breakfast had upma, kesari, boiled vegetables, corn flakes and milk. Although I don’t like upma, here I was enjoying it. Once done with breakfast we were asked for lunch. This time my son opted for Indian nonveg and I opted for veg.
12 PM. Nawab Singh with tomato soup again. 1:30PM we were served lunch. In veg lunch I had aloo ki sabzi, Biryani rice, Paneer masala, 3 rotis and dal with curd. In nonveg 3 rotis, rice, aloo ki sabzi, chicken curry and dal.
My son wanted more of rice and I like rotis. So, we exchanged, and I had 6 rotis (although they are small). Chicken curry was not enough for son as it was too tasty. Hence, I asked Nawab Singh if he can give one more bowl of chicken curry. They were willing to offer as much as we want. We had good lunch.
At 4PM Tea was served again with Son Papdi instead of caramel popcorn. I asked if we can get caramel popcorn. They gave one immediately. What a service. We were enjoying the hospitality given by Nawab Singh and his men. No other entertainment available as wynk music works with mobile data and the signals were on and off. Since the trip was planned to travel immediately we didn’t have option to download movies. However, as I told it’s a journey most cherished.
The cabin was cleaned twice or thrice in a day. We had a couple in Cabin E (Coupe) and they had a Labrador pet dog with them. Initially the pet was not comfortable in a Cabin and was crying but as time went by he relaxed. My son wanted to see the pet. We have retriever which is 6 months old, so I knew that my son was missing him. I asked the couple if my son can see their pet. They agreed, and we were not the one who had requested. They got similar request from others too. Pet’s name was Micky a Female Labrador. My son was very happy to see a pet in train. I explained that a pet is allowed if the passengers are travelling in First AC. Now he wants to travel in First AC only.
Back to the journey. As I told you earlier that I couldn’t note the station as my son was occupying the window seat. However, the good part was that the gentleman who was with us in the cabin got down at Sawantwadi giving us the entire cabin. At Madgaon there were ten passengers who had boarded the train. Two of them had berths in our cabin. The staff however accommodated them in cabins which were next to each other. We were two passengers in a cabin of 4.
Tomato soup served again at 8 pm. We preferred to stay with Indian non-veg dinner as the chicken curry was awesome. My son took away the rice bowl from me and I took away rotis from him. He ordered another rice bowl and chicken curry and I ordered another set of rotis. The staff was not at all hesitating to give us that extra food. Had stomach full of food and again with the same Amul Vanilla ice cream.
PART 5
Since it was the second day in the train and as the train reaches Trivandrum at 8:30 am Nawab Singh and men came with a plate of Saunf (Fennel Seeds). It was time for the tips. I asked my son What should I give them. My son said Rs.500/ I did the same however they were not happy with it. Considering the service, I got from them I paid Rs.200/ extra. They were very happy.
The train was running late by an hour however I am not sure when it covered that distance and reached Trivandrum at 7:40 AM on 25th June 2019.
Best part of the journey was the service provided by Nawab Singh and staff and the Konkan section. The greenery, the ghats, the tunnels everything was so awesome. This journey is the best I had. Never I thought that my first HAC journey will be in Rajdhani and that too the longest running Rajdhani.
My in laws stay in Trivandrum. I never informed to them that We will be visiting them. By 8:20 AM we were at their place and they were quite surprised. When I informed that I have undertaken this journey they were more surprised. They were like “will anyone travel to Delhi and take a train to Trivandrum”. I explained them that I wanted to take this journey for the pleasure I get in travelling in trains.
The journey started as a casual trip to a remembrance of life. We had planned to stay in Trivandrum for a couple of days. 25th of June was just a rest day. We were relaxing at home. The weather in Trivandrum was humid but not hot. I had informed my son that we will have to return to Hyderabad by 27th June. That means I must book tatkal tickets in Sabari express. I had even informed that in worst case we might have to travel in sleeper class. Since there were no buses available due to off season. I even checked options to go via Bangalore or Chennai.
I decided to go for tatkal in Sabari express. Although Jio mobile data was very fast in Kerala however I didn’t want to take a risk. I informed my plans to my sister in laws son who will take me to the station. We were supposed to leave by 9 AM to reach on time. But my nephew went out at 9 am and came back at 9:20 AM. I thought we will be late as it will be morning rush hour traffic. We left at 9:25 AM and reached Trivandrum central station by 9:50 AM. I rushed to the counter for tatkal ticket. Only Two people ahead of me to book tatkal. 9:55 AM I was filling the form waiting in the queue. At 10:03 AM my form was taken, and the booking clerk was swift enough to process the ticket. I had requested 2AC SL and SU berths. Voila I was allotted berth numbers 17 and 18. I was like how come everything was working smoothly for me. From the time we started this trip and till the time we were ending it.
Since our tickets were confirmed we had nothing else to do. Went to Maha Chips (in Trivandrum) to get some nice banana chips for family and friends and headed back to home. My nephew suggested us we go to ponmudi hill top which was 50 kms from Trivandrum. We decided to go.
I took the car out and started for Ponmudi hill top at around 12:30 PM. The drive was okay with some bad roads however the winding section of the hill was amazing. There 22 pin bends to cover and very sharp ones. After climbing the hill, we were in clouds with slight drizzle. It wasn’t raining. I was driving at a speed of 20-25 kms on the narrow roads of the hill. I was very careful coz a slight error will throw us down the hill and we couldn’t survive that fall. After reaching the hill top the temperature was very different than in Trivandrum. It was cool and pleasant with cold air. It was so beautiful. People were walking on the hill top leaving there vehicles behind. Many bikers had also come for a road trip. It was so pleasant to visit this place. We left the place by 4 PM. Reached home and had dinner. Kept alarm for 5 AM.
PART 6
As the alarm rang we got and got ready to go to the station. I asked my nephew to leave us till the main road. We reached at 615AM. Took an auto for Rs.150 and we were at the station at 6:45 AM. The train was already on platform 4. Hence, we decided to board the train. The 2AC coach was clean however the AC was not switched on till 7 AM. Sabari express departed on time at 7:15AM. We had breakfast in the train. We ordered lunch in the train but that was bland. Hence, we decided to have dinner through E-Catering. I ordered one Veg thali and one non-veg thali from Palmyra Restaurant Salem. It was delivered at 8 PM as the train was running late. We had dinner and went to sleep. The AC was perfect, and we didn’t wake up the whole night. We had sound sleep. Woke up at around 8 AM. The train had reached Guntur. Had tea and breakfast and were waiting for the train to reach Secunderabad. We reached at 1:15 pm. Train was allotted platform 9. My house is just 5 minutes’ walk from any platform in Secunderabad station. Walked home and thus ended the beautiful journey. I told my younger son about the journey and he reminded me that next trip is with him. The reason I cannot take both of them with me is the pet dog we have. Someone must be at home to take care of. I am not sure where I will be going with my younger son. I do have time to plan a very good trip with him.
While writing this journey I was recollecting everything. I also wanted to let everyone know that I am not using any technical terms that most of the bloggers use like MPS, Engine model numbers, shunting or any technical terms or station codes. I wanted this to be as simple as possible. I wanted everyone to enjoy the journey while reading this. Hope this inspires many people to take up this kind of journey.

PART 2
I explained my son the plan. I told him that we will have to catch an early morning flight to Delhi and at 10:55 AM we will have to catch the Rajdhani. I informed that the train journey will take 45 hours to reach Trivandrum. I also told him that we will be travelling by 1st AC. My son got excited.
I went online and checked for early morning flights to Delhi. Found Spice jet at 5:40 AM 06/23/2019. The arrival time in Delhi was 8:00 AM giving us 2 hours...
more...

and 55 minutes to reach Hazrat Nizamuddin Station. Then checked for Train tickets. 1st AC available in Trivandrum Rajdhani. I had to calculate the budget for this train and I was ready for it.
The flight tickets costed us Rs. 11000/ and Train tickets were Rs. 7770/ per person. I said to my son “We are going”.
I booked the flight tickets through make my trip and booked Trivandrum Rajdhani on IRCTC. Everything was confirmed. To reach airport on time we will have to start by 3 AM from Secunderabad. I booked the Cab on Make My Trip and got that confirmed too. I said WOW. Everything is working fine.
Me and my son started getting ready. We had one small hurdle that was my younger son. I told him my plan he said to go ahead but he told me that I must take him in my next trip. I promised the same.
Me and my elder son started packing our back packs. We just had very less to carry as we will be mostly travelling. At this moment My son said, I need a headphone. At 8:30Pm we went to a happi store for headset and found one. I told my son we will try not to use the headphones as we will be enjoying the journey.
I fixed an alarm at 2: AM. Me and my son were up by 1 AM itself. At 2:30 AM my cab had reached my home to pick us up. We told him to wait for a while and he agreed. We got ready and were down by 2:50AM. The cab driver was very nice. He drove at a good speed and dropped us at the airport by 3:30 AM.
While walking towards check in we found a kiosk to check in even before entering the airport. We took our boarding passed and headed straight to the security check. Check in done and we went to our gate waiting for boarding. We were hungry and thought of going to KFC however we bought sandwiches which were very costly. The SpiceJet Flight departure time was 5:40 AM and arrival in Delhi was 8 Am. They started the boarding at 5 AM. It was a Jet airways flight re stickered as Spice jet. We boarded the flight and our seats were 19A and 19B. The flight took off at 5:45 AM, five minutes late. They offered us a glass of water. Other flights don’t even do that.
We were flying at an altitude of 35000 feet. We ordered a cup of Tea which was like Rs.100/. The pilot made an announcement at 7:45 that we are on time and landing in Delhi by 8AM. The flight was something different this time. The cabin pressure was high because of which I had severe ear pain. I have travelled in many Airplanes internationally too however this never happened. I had this pain for the first time. I anyhow managed and were off the airline by 8 AM.