Tourist Places of India

Indian Railways , the largest rail networks in Asia and the world's second largest rail network under one management covers more than 1 lakh track kilometers, 300 yards, 2300 good sheds and 700 repair shops. Its rolling stock fleet includes 8300 locomotives, 39,000 coaching vehicles and 3.5 lakh freight wagons. Its work force is 1.65 million and it runs some 11,000 trains' everyday. Freight traffic on Indian Railways has registered an impressive growth from a mere 93 million tons of originating freight traffic in 1950-51, to nearly 376 million tons in 1992-93, an increase of about 304%. This has been despite the ever-increasing pressure of passenger traffic, which increased during the same period from 1.28 billion passengers carried to 4.2 billion.

CLASSES AND ACCOMMODATION
First class Air-conditioned (AC) (Code: 1A)
AC 2-tier sleeper (Code: 2A)
AC 3 Tier (Code: 3A) · AC chair Car (Code: CC)
First class (Code: FC)
Sleeper Class (Code: SL)
Second Sitting (Code: 2S)

SUPER FAST DELUXE TRAINS RAJDHANI EXPRESS - India's super fast, fully air conditioned, deluxe trains give you the unique opportunity of experiencing Indian Railways at its best. Afternoon snacks and tea are offered after the trains begin their journey. Indian and continental cuisine, soft music and the train's rhythmic movement provides a comfortable journey. The trains link New Delhi (the capital or Rajdhani) to India's major cities.

SHATABDI EXPRESS - India`s fastest deluxe trains connects you with major cities and offer facilities with most comfortable travel. While you relax, the Shatabdi hospitality treats you to meals and snacks. Before you are through, your destination has arrived.

HILL RAILWAYS
There is nothing to match the experience of chugging up the hills. If you have some time to spare and want to have the real scenic view of beauty then take a slow toy train up to the hill resorts of Shimla, Ooty (Udhagamandalam), Darjeeling or Matheran.

Shimla - The toy train journey from Kalka to Shimla is entrancing with 107 tunnels and lofty arched bridges. The dazzling view and the stop at the picturesque stations along the way would add to your life long experience.

Ooty (Udhagamandalam) - At a maximum speed of 33km per hour, this "toy train" treks across plains, plantation and forest clad hills. The 16 tunnels and tall girder bridges on the way, along with the breathtaking view, make this toy train journey to Ooty, something which you never like to be missed out.

Darjeeling - The most famous of the little trains, is the one linking the town of New Jalpaiguri in the plains to the lovely hill station of Darjeeling. The 86km Darjeeling line allows you to have an uninterrupted view of the breathtaking scenery of the Himalayas. Darjeeling Himalayan Railways (DHR) is recognized as "World Heritage Site" by UNESCO.

Matheran- The 77-year-old line, connecting Neral to Matheran, is the main way to reach the tiny hill resort, close to Mumbai. As the little train wheezes up into the clear mountain air , one can view the scenic vista of hills and plains below. The toy train runs between sunrise and sunset.

Shivalik Delux Express - introduced on the lines of Shatabdi Express this train chugging its way up the hills has only one stop - Barog. The journey time is 4hrs 45min. The amenity fittings match the modern times - wall to wall carpets, wide glass windows, reversible cushioned chairs, improved toilet facilities, cabins for couples, tables for meals, tube lights, music system, micro phones for communication with the guard to name just a few. With a sitting capacity of 120 it connects the Howrah-Kalka mail. Breakfast is served in Up and dinner in Down direction.

Shivalik Palace - For an exciting and charming journey for the elite class tourist between Kalka and Shimla, this Tourist Coach has free on board catering with an exclusive range of kitchenware. Special features include - decorative lights, musical cordless bell, music system, variety of indoor games, magazines and books, most ultra modern amenity fittings in bathroom, artificial decorative plants, dining table with beautiful cushioned chairs, folding beds etc. Shivalik Palace is meant normally for a party of 6 persons. Two complimentary retiring rooms at Shimla is also provided for the tourists travelling on this train for one day.

Shivalik Queen - Also on the Kalka - Shimla line this Tourist Coach has been launched for honeymooners. Each coupe offers exclusive privacy and big windows for panoramic view of hills. The coupe has wall-to-wall carpet and the windows are elegantly curtained. All meals are provided on the train. There is an alarm bell for communication with driver while microphone keeps you in touch with the guard. Free newspaper and magazines are provided at Kalka and Shimla.

RULES FOR LUGGAGE
Each passenger is allowed a free allowance upto which he can carry luggage with him in the compartment, free of cost. The free allowance varies for different classes of travel. Children aged 5 and below 12 years are allowed half of the free allowance subject to the maximum of 50 Kgs. You are also permitted a marginal allowance. there is a maximum ceiling on the luggage which can be carried inside the compartment for each class