Mumbai LTT - Amritsar (Pathankot) Express/11057

So, Here it comes my tiring journey from UMB to LTT. It all began two weeks ago when I was invited to a wedding which I had to attend. Thanks to this site I managed to use a chain from RDB (My report on that separately) however, I found that there was no useful return chain and hence had to book WL 7/8 which turned RAC upon chart preparation. I alongwith my brother had to return asap and the tatkal options were there but we chose to take up the train. We boarded and looked around to find at least 4 more RAC guys so our hopes of confirmed tickets were dashed. However, the TTE turned up checked our tickets and mentioned 'dekhte hai kuch to hoga, thoda intezaar karleejeeye'. I was surprised that even though another 3AC coach has been augmented my tickets still remained WL. Well more surprises...
Read more...

in bag - This train is a pucca passenger viz. full entry all the time is sleeper, 3AC, and 2AC by almost anyone and everyone. Anyway, around evening TTE janaab paid a visit to me and asked 'aapka RAC hai na' and went back, he returned after half an hour again and same question - Which mean he wanted to have an 'adult chat' separately for which I followed him and his demands became clear. INR 200 per berth up for grabs, period. I being a little 'usoolo wala' rejected his offer and came back. Unlike me, my brother scolded me for being stubborn and went back and confirmed our tickets. Even though we had a confirmed berth now the guilt of being part of the stupid system is creating a stink within you as well. You somehow get over it but there is scores of people boarding and deboarding the train all the time. I just wished I could get the upper berth rather than the side lower. The journey is pathetic and should not be undertaken at all for long distance journeys. I somehow pity the sleeper class passengers who not only have to suffer the 40+ temperatures but also the swarm of daily passengers which board and deboard this train. We reached Thane at 3.30 in the morning and I must say I had no energy left in me (I had cramped feet and an upset tummy from the food we managed during the journey). My next link back to Pune was on Indrayani which was 3 hours away. I only wished I should land home somehow. A mention on the Indrayani Loco - a 3rd instance to find Erode WDM in charge ... Quite a offlink.
Thanks for reading. Your 'get well soon' messages are most welcome