It is said that America did not build roads but rather it was the roads that built America. Well, the same is true about the Railways in India. It is the fourth largest railway network in the world (after USA, Russia and China), transporting 8.397 billion passengers and over 106 million tonnes of freight annually. Its operations cover twenty nine states and three union territories and also provide limited service to Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan. Indeed, trains are the lifeline of India as they not only move goods and people, but it also makes that quintessential connect with the remotest corners of the country.
The biggest advantage of travelling long distances by train in India, is that it opens your mind to understand that fact that how diverse and vast this country is. The landscape varies every few hundred kilometres – from mountains to deserts, rivers to oceans, forests to scrubland. Train travel makes one befriend strangers, share stories and food and there is a chance of becoming friends forever.
Trains in India were introduced by the British East India Company in 1853. The century-old vintage locomotives, running on some of the routes, continue to be to be the pride of railway tourism and it provides a nostalgic ride to the travellers. This brings to mind the locomotive used to showcase the royal side of the land. Welcome to the “Palace on Wheels”, which takes you on its splendid and enchanting royal journey through the bygone era of the erstwhile Maharajas. The exquisite and exclusive train has luxurious cabins, wall to wall carpeting, a well stocked bar, two dining cars and a very personalized service.
Moreover, there are other long distance trains that allow one to discover the length and breadth of the country making them a favorite among those who just love to travel on such trains as it offers them uninterrupted inspiration to write. Sweeping through the hills are the trains like the ‘Darjeeling-Himalayan Express’ and those operating in Shimla and Ooty, giving travellers a feel of travelling up narrow tracks on the steep mountains.
Sitting inside the coach there is so much one can do and see and you will be constantly amazed by the picturesque forests, green misty mountains and fast-flowing rivers. One also gets a visual treat of the rich flora and fauna along the way. Many train tracks cross steep mountains and go through tunnels, making the train journey truly adventurous.
My personal favorite is the winter train journey that passes through some of the white snowy regions of Kashmir.
So if you want to discover India then a train journey is what you should consider.
