There's something amazing about taking the train from London to Paris in just two-and-a-half hours.To be sure, it's been possible to make that trip since 1994, but if you've never done it before, stepping onto a train in the middle of the British capital and stepping off in the center of the French capital is totally cool. I've been traveling to Europe since 1979, and I'd crossed the English Channel by boat back in the mid-1980s, and by plane in the 1990s. Going by fast train was always one of those abstract things that didn't fit my image of what was really possible.But last month, as part of Road Trip 2011, I finally got the chance to take the Eurostar, the famous... more...
train that goes from London's St.Pancras station to Gare du Nord in Paris--a terrific journey that for the first time in my personal experience, makes traveling between the two cities about as easy as can be.For those who haven't made the trip, an obvious question is why you'd want to take Eurostar when you can fly between London and Paris in about an hour and a quarter. The answer, of course, starts with the fact that Eurostar leaves and departs from the hearts of the two cities rather than requiring time-consuming and costly travel to their suburban airports. And then there's added time for airport security, the limits on what you can bring, and other annoying inconveniences.My Eurostar experience started with pulling up to St. Pancras International station in London--with its beautiful red brick Gothic facade built in 1865. And then it was into the giant train shed, inside of which these days a huge set of multicolored Olympic rings dominate the space (since London will host the Summer Games next year).Because London is hosting the 2012 Summer Olympics, St. Pancras International boasts a giant set of Olympic rings.It's not that there's zero security to go through before you take the Eurostar. In fact, unlike with just about every other train you could take in Europe, you have to show up about 30 minutes before departure, and put your luggage through a metal detector. But once you do, you're quickly on the train and ready to cross the Channel.And while the London to Paris (and vice versa) Eurostar route gets all the ink, you can actually take the line between three different stops in England and six on the mainland (five in France, plus Brussels). And these days, Eurostar is promoting the idea that the Eurostar is a great way to get not just between cities it directly serves but also connecting cities. So, for example, you could take Eurostar from London to Brussels and then switch easily to a second train and continue on to Amsterdam.Riding the train. If you've ever ridden trains around Europe, you'll find the Eurostar experience quite familiar. For me, the rails have long been the preferred method of traveling the continent, and I was expecting a very simple trip.As mentioned, because there's some security to navigate, you have to show up 30 minutes before departure, unlike with most European trains. But the security regimen is more or less akin to what you would have encountered at any airport pre-9/11. Once through, you wait for a bit, and then you trundle on board the train with the hundreds of others you'll be traveling with.One thing I learned was that it's good to be there on the early side, and to be ready to get on board before the rest of the passengers. That's because it quickly became clear that the train was not particularly well set up for handling large suitcases. And because I was one of the last to get on, I had to stash my luggage in the next car. The overhead racks simply weren't big enough to handle my bags--and that, I think, was a reflection of the fact that the Eurostar, being a bullet train, is streamlined and simply doesn't have much luggage space up top. On the other hand, that means it can speed through the Eurotunnel at 100 miles an hour.The upshot was that the Eurostar, at least in second class, ranked below most of the other trains I rode during Road Trip 2011, given that it was packed, had tight seating, and a shortage of storage.Still, pure comfort is not the real point of the Eurostar (though you can pay for more comfort by buying a first-class seat). Obviously, the real point is to get from London to Paris quickly, and with a minimum of hassle. And in that regard, there's surely no better way to make the trip.Once we departed St. Pancras, we rolled very smoothly along the British railroad tracks. I have to admit that this was one of the smoothest train rides I can recall. You can barely feel the standard clickety-clack of the rails, and having ridden so many trains, I was acutely aware of how smooth it was. Looking out the window, I enjoyed the mesmerizing spectacle of the English countryside speeding by.Though Eurostar trains are the most famous to use the Eurotunnel, there are many others that go beneath the English Channel each day.Then it was into the Chunnel. It's dark inside the passageway--which is shared by Eurotunnel's own fleet of passenger and cargo trains. As we sped through, I could imagine seeing our train displayed on the huge digital control-room board inside the Eurotunnel command center that I'd visited during a Road Trip stop a week earlier.Emerging from the tunnel at Calais, it was quickly a different experience. On the French rails, the high-speed train rocked back and forth, sometimes quite sharply. It had taken just 24 minutes to cross beneath the channel--slightly longer than the advertised 20 minutes, but still quite rapid. And then it was about 75 minutes until arrival in Paris.And suddenly the trip is over. You're in Paris. You step off the train and you're right in the thick of things in the French capital. No need to take a separate train to get into town: you're already there.Ultimately, it became clear to me that for just about anyone wanting to get between London and Paris, there is no better way to do it than to take the Eurostar. To be fair, there are cheaper ways to make the trip--mainly the many budget airlines that connect the two cities. But as noted above, those methods come with their own inconveniences that may well offset the lower price.And now, having taken Eurostar, am I still impressed that you can get between London and Paris by train in two-and-a-half hours? Without a doubt. And I would happily do it again. Just with a little less luggage.
@Satish Kumar: Re# 215208-6 WAP-5 is known for it's speed (Max Speed Potential : 200 Kmph) as it is usually meant for hauling medium load trains like Rajdhanis & Shatabdis . On the other hand , WAP-7 is known for it's power as it is usually meant for hauling heavy load trains like 20+ Coach Long Distance Non - Rajdhani Trains (Max Speed Potential : 140 Kmph) . If you want a combination of both speed and power then it's got to be a Diesel Dippy which is the WDP-4 Loco (Max Speed Potential 180 Kmph and can also haul heavy load trains but not at such high speeds due to Present Indian Track Conditions) . Thanks for asking this question .
Sir, what Venkat has stated is correct. The AC Super Class will be positioned as an intermediate class in between 1AC and 2AC. Instructions have accordingly been given to RCF, Kapurthala, for manufacture of coaches. GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS . (RAILWAY BOARD) 16.5.11... more...
Ii The General Managers, RCF, Kapurthala Western Railway, Mumbai In consonance with Para 54 of Hon'ble MR's -Budget Speech 2011-12 relating to introduction of a new Super AC Class of travel, Board have approved of the following for manufacture/retro fitment of coaches for the Super AC class: (1) The Super AC class would be conceptualized in between the existing I AC and AC 2 Tier. The interior aesthetics and comfort ievels in these coaches shall be comparable to world class standards, duly optimizing on the space availability and ergonomics. As a pilot project in 2011-12, 25 such new Super AC coaches would be built at RCF on LHB-FIAT EOG platform while retrofiment shall .also be carried out in 25 conventionallCF design AC 2-Tier coaches (EOG/SG) on Western Railway. (2) The incremental cost towards the upgraded furnishings and interiors in the Super AC coaches shall be funded through the existing bulk RSP sanctions 2011-12 (figuring under "Carriages" - Item No. 470) at an estimated unit cost of RS.18 lakhs/coach. (3) The design development and interior furnishing of Super AC coaches under the pilot project as above may be taken up on a limited tender basis through M/s Kemrock and M/s Hindustan Fibers, the professional agencies in the field of Rail car interiors currently engaged for the work of developing of select coaches to world class standards during their refurbishment at MLR Workshop/BhopaIIWCR. (i) The passenger carrying capacity shall be 44 for a new LHB FIAT EOG coach. For the retrofiment on a ICF design coach, there may be a proportionate reduction in passenger carrying capacity. The layout shall have optimal utilization of the space for seats and berths in the transverse directions. Few longitudinal side berths could be done away with, providing for the accessories and utilities like linen storage, mini cloak room, electrical cubical etc. (ii) No sliding doors shall be provided for transverse side berths/cabins. Aesthetically appealing screens, with cut outs serving the purpose of footsteps for access to the upper berths can be considered. (iii) Added comfort needs to be provided by means of regulated temperature control for AC in each cabin, energy efficient aesthetically appealing LED light fittings including berth reading lights with adjustable focus and laptop/mobile charging sockets etc. (iv) Suitable arrangements for augmenting the electrical power supply and feed from adjacent Sleeper Class coaches etc. by employing 2 X 12 KW Altemator and 650 Ah capacity VRLA Battery, may be considered for the Self Generating ICF design AC 2-Tier coaches identified for retrofiment to Super AC Class. (v) A modem sub pantry comprising of water cooler, food warmer to accommodate a food trolley with a capacity of abQut 70 trays and a water boiler may be provided. Hot air fan circulation may be examined for adaption for food warming requirement. (vi) Modular toilets with fittings and amenities as in a standard LHB design coach' shall be provided in these coaches as well. (vii) Space availability, ergonomics and costs permitting, infotainment infrastructure can also be considered but restrided to provision of down drop screens for playing of prerecorded audio- visuals. (5) Board desires that time lines be drawn to facilitate introdudion of Super AC coaches in regular service by Od., 2011. RCF and WR may accordingly take up the project on topmost priority, in consultation with RDSOIWCR and advise the milestones for Board's information. ,.. (J'rv~I) . Dir Mech l!fi99-(Co~chlng) Railway Board -16.5.11 13 ~ loner Railways
In AC super class ,the coaches are likely to be two-tier, they will not have any longitudinal side berths. That space will be used for accessories and utilities like linen storage, mini cloakrooms and electrical cubicles. Unlike AC 1, there will be no sliding doors for each cabin. Instead, the ministry has asked the manufacturing units to consider the provision of “aesthetically appealing screens, with cut-outs serving the purpose of foot-steps for access to the upper berths”. The ministry also plans to enhance the comfort level by introducing regulated temperature control for ACs... more...
in each cabin, energy-efficient aesthetically-appealing LED light fittings including reading lights with adjustable focus and laptop and mobile charging sockets.
*SmS for ticket status *New diesel loco shed is expected to come up in Assam *More DMU trains are also likely in the Budget for the north-east *Duronto services from Guwahati to New Delhi and Howrah *Finance... more...
ministry is likely to grant Rs 20, 000 crore as gross budgetary support *Planning Commission has accepted 14 of the 40 rail projects which she had planned to announce during the Rail Budget. *SMS based service for passengers to lodge complaints against rail services is also likely to be announced *'132' is being finalised for lodging complaints through SMSes from anywhere in the country. Like the inquiry number 131, the new 132 number will be an all India service. *Measures to step up work on the dedicated Rail Freight Corridors project which is lagging behind schedule
Wow 100 news trains....12 durantos she want satisfy every one it seems....elections ahead na... any way minimum 20-25 train from or via WB its my guess
250 trains? has the railway ministry this much budget. aur agar finance ministry ne budget de bhi diya to 250 mein se next financial year mein 100 trains bhi start ho jaye to wo Insdian Railways ki bahut badi uplabdhi hogi.
*Indian Rail is not deigned for 1AC passengers, Rail in India is to connect whole country to provide connectivity to serve essential commodity(K K Agrawal formal RB Member)
Mr Mehta. railway counts to and fro journeys as different trains. A report in a newspaper said that last year 250 trains were started so this year there will be atleast 250., but actually if u see the budget report only 100 smthing trains were announced so they consider both up and down as two different trains and hence this yr 250 means 125 pairs of trains
About 100 new trains and a dozen of Durantos to be announced. Mega kitchen at metros. Complaint through SMS one number throughout the country are likely.
! Special emphasis for environment ! No unmanned Railway crossings from next year ! 172 new Rail over bridge ! Rs 10/- reduction on On line AC booking charge, Rs 5/- for 2nd class !... more...
the rail factory in kerala is in the bins now. This plan wont be started now since the state minister moved from Railways. And also MB dint like the plan for this
Wagon factory in Orissa Will set up Rail coach factory in Palakkad, Kerala Component factory in Chertala, Kerala Tunnel & bridge engineering institute in Jammu Railways introduced new infrastructure policies Railway... more...
to set up Bridge factory in J&K Diesel Locomotive Factory in Manipur Centre of excellence in software in Darjeeling Track-machine industry to be set up in Uluberia, West Bengal Rail industrial park in Jalpaiguri and Nandigram, in West Bengal Rail industrial park in New Bongaigaon, Assam First coach from the new rail factory at Rae Bareli to roll out in next three months Proposal to set up metro coach factory near Singur in West Bengal A 700 MW gas based power plant to be set up at Thakurli, Maharashtra Track-machine industry to be set up in Uluberia, West Bengal Sukhi Ghar Yojna: 10, 000 shelters for the poor New rail line capacity to be increased to 700 kms 474 kms for doubling PM Rail Vikas Yojna will include all the rail projects under the 12th Plan Gas based power plant in Maharasthra Rs 57560 plan investment To raise Rs 10, 000 cr via tax bonds Focus on safety Stop rail rook agitations Anti-collision devices to be installed in more zones 175 ROBs this year Two new projects and two new trains for states where trains run trouble free Real time train operation system developed in association with IIT Kanpur Dedicated eight corridor on track Double decker container trains from Gujarat to inland port in Gurgaon 2011 declared as green year Go India smart card on pilot basis – single window facility for buying tickets for long distance, Metro etc Rail yatri sevak service – trolly service in major metros New Super AC Class of travel to be introduced
! 'Go India' smart card for buying long distance travel tickets on pilot basis. ! 180 km of rail lines to be added in 2011-12. ! Upgrading 442 stations by March 31.
Medical facility for dependent father and mother Child education scholarship of Rs 1200 Restructuring of all cadres to ensure promotion opportunities Steps to fill all vacant posts 16000 ex-servicemen to be inducted into Railways... more...
Training New training centre in Kolkata, Dharwad and Pune New international training centre in Agra Five new polytechnics, including in Bhilai and Dharwad
! 58 is new Sr Citizen limit for Women's ! 33 new suburban for Kolkata ! Disabled to get discount in Rajdhani/Shatabdi ! Chennai local up to chengalpattu ! Kolkata lockal limit extended
Some Duronto trains: New Duronto trains to be introduced on Allahabad-Mumbai, Pune-Ahmedabad, Sealdah-Puri, Madurai-Chennai, Chennai- Thiruvananthapuram and Mumbai Central-New Delhi routes.
More new trains: AC double-decker rail on Jaipur-Delhi and Ahmedabad-Mumbai. 9 new Duronto trains announced. 50 new services for suburbs in Kolkata. Need for efficient taxation of goods and services by GST. Improve convergence of social and financial inclusion schemes. To launch 3 new Shatabdi trains in FY 12.
Sir, what Venkat has stated is correct. The AC Super Class will be positioned as an intermediate class in between 1AC and 2AC. Instructions have accordingly been given to RCF, Kapurthala, for manufacture of coaches. GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS . (RAILWAY BOARD) 16.5.11... more...
Ii The General Managers, RCF, Kapurthala Western Railway, Mumbai In consonance with Para 54 of Hon'ble MR's -Budget Speech 2011-12 relating to introduction of a new Super AC Class of travel, Board have approved of the following for manufacture/retro fitment of coaches for the Super AC class: (1) The Super AC class would be conceptualized in between the existing I AC and AC 2 Tier. The interior aesthetics and comfort ievels in these coaches shall be comparable to world class standards, duly optimizing on the space availability and ergonomics. As a pilot project in 2011-12, 25 such new Super AC coaches would be built at RCF on LHB-FIAT EOG platform while retrofiment shall .also be carried out in 25 conventionallCF design AC 2-Tier coaches (EOG/SG) on Western Railway. (2) The incremental cost towards the upgraded furnishings and interiors in the Super AC coaches shall be funded through the existing bulk RSP sanctions 2011-12 (figuring under "Carriages" - Item No. 470) at an estimated unit cost of RS.18 lakhs/coach. (3) The design development and interior furnishing of Super AC coaches under the pilot project as above may be taken up on a limited tender basis through M/s Kemrock and M/s Hindustan Fibers, the professional agencies in the field of Rail car interiors currently engaged for the work of developing of select coaches to world class standards during their refurbishment at MLR Workshop/BhopaIIWCR. (i) The passenger carrying capacity shall be 44 for a new LHB FIAT EOG coach. For the retrofiment on a ICF design coach, there may be a proportionate reduction in passenger carrying capacity. The layout shall have optimal utilization of the space for seats and berths in the transverse directions. Few longitudinal side berths could be done away with, providing for the accessories and utilities like linen storage, mini cloak room, electrical cubical etc. (ii) No sliding doors shall be provided for transverse side berths/cabins. Aesthetically appealing screens, with cut outs serving the purpose of footsteps for access to the upper berths can be considered. (iii) Added comfort needs to be provided by means of regulated temperature control for AC in each cabin, energy efficient aesthetically appealing LED light fittings including berth reading lights with adjustable focus and laptop/mobile charging sockets etc. (iv) Suitable arrangements for augmenting the electrical power supply and feed from adjacent Sleeper Class coaches etc. by employing 2 X 12 KW Altemator and 650 Ah capacity VRLA Battery, may be considered for the Self Generating ICF design AC 2-Tier coaches identified for retrofiment to Super AC Class. (v) A modem sub pantry comprising of water cooler, food warmer to accommodate a food trolley with a capacity of abQut 70 trays and a water boiler may be provided. Hot air fan circulation may be examined for adaption for food warming requirement. (vi) Modular toilets with fittings and amenities as in a standard LHB design coach' shall be provided in these coaches as well. (vii) Space availability, ergonomics and costs permitting, infotainment infrastructure can also be considered but restrided to provision of down drop screens for playing of prerecorded audio- visuals. (5) Board desires that time lines be drawn to facilitate introdudion of Super AC coaches in regular service by Od., 2011. RCF and WR may accordingly take up the project on topmost priority, in consultation with RDSOIWCR and advise the milestones for Board's information. ,.. (J'rv~I) . Dir Mech l!fi99-(Co~chlng) Railway Board -16.5.11 13 ~ loner Railways
In AC super class ,the coaches are likely to be two-tier, they will not have any longitudinal side berths. That space will be used for accessories and utilities like linen storage, mini cloakrooms and electrical cubicles. Unlike AC 1, there will be no sliding doors for each cabin. Instead, the ministry has asked the manufacturing units to consider the provision of “aesthetically appealing screens, with cut-outs serving the purpose of foot-steps for access to the upper berths”. The ministry also plans to enhance the comfort level by introducing regulated temperature control for ACs... more...
in each cabin, energy-efficient aesthetically-appealing LED light fittings including reading lights with adjustable focus and laptop and mobile charging sockets.
राजधानी एक्सप्रेस में अब ‘सुपर एसी’ कोच भी लगाए जाएंगे. रायबरेली कोच कारखाने को इस परियोजना को पूरा करने का जिम्मा सौंपा गया है. परियोजना में शामिल रेल मंत्रालय के एक वरिष्ठ अधिकारी ने बताया कि केवल 44 बर्थ वाले सुपर एसी कोच की डिजाइन को अंतिम रूप दिया जा रहा है. रायबरेली कोच कारखाने को इसका एक मॉडल बनाने के निर्देश जारी किए गए हैं. वर्तमान में राजधानी एक्सप्रेस के द्वितीय श्रेणी के एसी कोच में 55 बर्थ और तृतीय में 72 बर्थ होती हैं. सुपर एसी कोच का किराया अभी... more...
निर्धारित नहीं किया गया है. इसके द्वितीय श्रेणी एसी कोच के किराए से ज्यादा और प्रथम एसी श्रेणी के किराए से कम रहने की संभावना है. रायबरेली कोच कारखाने को प्रथम चरण में ऐसे 25 सुपर एसी कोच बनाने को कहा गया है. अधिकारी ने बताया कि नए कोच का खास गुण यह होगा कि इनमें राजधानी के मौजूदा कोचों की तुलना में जगह ज्यादा होगी. इसके बाद हम ऐसे कोच दूसरी मेल और एक्सप्रेस ट्रेनों में भी लगाने के बारे में विचार कर सकते हैं. इन कोचों का निर्माण रेल बजट में प्रस्तावित किया गया था. इन नए कोच की खिड़कियां अपेक्षाकृत बड़ी होंगी और पैर रखने के लिए भी ज्यादा जगह होगी, खास तौर पर साइड की बर्थ पर यात्रा करने वाले यात्रियों के लिए. कम वजन वाले ये सुपर एसी कोच स्टेनलेस स्टील के बने होंगे और इनमें सुरक्षा संबंधी सभी विशेषताएं होंगी. प्रस्तावित सुपर एसी कोच के अलावा रायबरेली कारखाना आधुनिक लिंक हॉफमैन बुश कोच भी बना रहा है. अधिकारी ने बताया कि कारखाने में छह एलएचबी कोच पूरी तरह तैयार कर लिए गए हैं. इस कारखाने का उद्घाटन रायबरेली की सांसद और कांग्रेस अध्यक्ष सोनिया गांधी ने 2009 में किया था. संभावना व्यक्त की जा रही है कि यह कारखाना हर साल लगभग 1,000 कोच बना कर रेलवे की बढ़ती हुई मांगों को पूरा करे. उन्होंने कहा कि हमारा लक्ष्य प्रति वर्ष 1,000 एलएचबी कोच बनाना है. ट्रेनों में परंपरागत कोच की जगह अब धीरे-धीरे उच्च गुणवत्ता वाले स्टील के बने कोच एलएचबी लगाए जाएंगे. वर्तमान में राजधानी और शताब्दी में ऐसे ही कोच हैं. मोबाइल पर ताजा खबरें, फोटो, वीडियो देखने के लिए जाएं http://m.aajtak.in पर.
1st ac and 2nd ac 50% and 3r ac and below 75% including escort except garib rath, rajdhani and other food free trains in recent budet mamata jee promissed for these trains also but circular not yet issued in gr only quota is available no concession in fare if... more...
you opt tatkal no concession if you opt for single (without escort) no concession
Important Note:This website NEVER solicits for Money or Donations. Please beware of anyone requesting/demanding money on behalf of IRI. Thanks. Disclaimer: This website has NO affiliation with the Government-run site of Indian Railways. This site does NOT claim 100% accuracy of fast-changing Rail Information. YOU are responsible for independently confirming the validity of information through other sources.
