2951 Down Rajdhani Experience

This was my first time that I traveled by Rajdhani (Mumbai Central to New Delhi) and I really expected it to be very exciting and so was it. One more reason for me to get enchanted was that I was traveling by 1AC, so I was bestowed with royal treatment that Rajdhani provides to its 1st class passengers. I knew that many politicians and bureaucrats mostly travel through it since it travel at high speeds and moreover has limited stops and thus becomes convenient for them to reach their destinations on time.

My journey began on a good note since I could locate my boogie at the very first instance (being the very last one) and didn’t have to rush much. Though it took some time to find the reservation charts for 1st AC but then I found out where it was placed and so was no real problems as such. I immediately stepped inside to put in my luggage. The interiors of the Cabin were neat and clean and the loo too was kept very hygienic. Everything was very well placed. The Rajdhani experience of being India’s premier train was living to my expectations. The train left the Mumbai Central Terminus right on time i.e. 04:40pm.

I had some eminent personalities traveling with me in the same cabin that day; they were MP (Member of Parliament – Dhule) Mr. Bapu Choure, DGM of Railways Mr. Nigam and Agri-Expo Businessman Mr. Kaushik. MPji were also accompanied by one of his cohorts in the cabin. He was traveling in 1AC on a 2AC’s ticket, but such is our Indian System. The TC (Ticket Checker) couldn’t utter a single word against him as the MP was present and he didn’t want to risk his job by saying anything. Soon they started discussions on the Left’s decision to withdraw support from Congress and how Samajvadi Party gave their support to Congress. Soon political discussions started to heat up the cabin. In the meanwhile we were served with some snacks (snacks include – Samosa, Salted Cashews and lentils, Cadbury & “Motichur ka laddoo”) and tea.

Discussions continued while I hooked on to my iPod and put my Lappy out to complete my incomplete blog of Koraigad and Kune falls. Then came dinner, it was literally a feast. First we were served with the Peas soup served with bread rolls and croissants which was very yummy and then it was the time for scrumptious Vegetarian Cutlets, Pasta and Boiled Vegetables which had intercontinental flavour to it. The main course was yet to kick off and we were already full. Main course consisted of two vegetables “sabjis”, one was cabbage and other was Shimla Mirch with Paneer (Don’t remember the name) with Chapattis and Pulao. Tasty Ice Cream was served as a dessert in the last. Dinner was enjoyable as the food and discussion continuously kept us busy.

After finishing the dinner, the cabin was immediately wiped and our bedding was prepared, the work was clean and tidy. I took my upper birth and at the same time I was constantly on the phone. The journey so far was good, the only problem we faced was that the train in between use to jolt very badly. Soon it was discovered from the DGM that the coaches were imported from Germany and had some serious problem with couplers of the coaches. The jolt use to be very strong and use to shake the entire cabin badly. If someone is sleeping he would immediately get up with these strong jerks. There was interesting fact which came from MPji that sometime back because of this problem the engine got detached from the coaches and went 2km ahead in front without taking any of the coaches. This is a high profile train and I wonder why the Railways have not carried out the repairs or replace defective couplers?

I had more or less a good sleep in the night. Morning when I got up I was presented with the bed tea which I am not used to. But then I thought it wouldn’t be nice not to give company to others. So I had coffee which is my favourite. Then immediately corn flakes and a banana were served. We were literally hogging since the night, it was such a royal treatment Aah! Just mind boggling!! Then we learnt that the breakfast is yet to come but since we all were already full everybody denied. The train throughout was on time and reached Delhi just 10mins late of its stipulated arrival of 08:00am. I was really very impressed with the service, hats off to Western Railways who runs 2951 Down Rajdhani Express. Mr. Lalu Prasad you are doing a wonderful Job!!! God Bless!!!