Well size matters really! It's easy to say IR is just trying to earn more revenue but if this keeps going on, it's going to lose out some of its passengers. I thought government facilities were kept in mind to provide satisfaction and comfort for the people; this seems as if they want to drive out their passengers ;-)

Posted by Siddhartha Ganesh on 2007 Oct 18 09:34:58 +0000

Detailed instructions on how to get to the top berth would
also be helpful :-)

Posted by Manohar Natarajan on 2007 Oct 18 08:36:53 +0000

There is nothing right in the SMB concept per my say. As a passenger who have travelled extensively in both 3A/SL through my life, I would say that passengers demand at least some comfort rather than treated as cattle. Vacant berths in Alok's pictures are looking better but just think when the coach will be loaded with 81 passengers plus the unauthorized passengers.

My future comments deferred till I travel on this type of coach.

Posted by Samar on 2007 Oct 18 06:41:34 +0000

Big Bad Wolf at his sarcastic best!! Thanks for the pics Alok!! I was wondering which Yoga - asana would suit, for me to curl up onto a SMB, if at all I were allocated one!

Posted by PVS Praveen Kumar on 2007 Oct 18 06:09:34 +0000

What is wrong with SMB concept? IR is in business to make money and squeeze every inch of space to generate revenue.

Passengers do have an option to opt for AC2 if they do not like SMB.

No frill airlines not only dropped lunch but also reduced pitch (distance between two seats). Skybus, a new airline charges for check in baggage.

So what is wrong in concept? Nothing is free for sure. Instead of paying Rs. 300 for Tatkal, it's cheaper to sleep in SMB.

Please provide valid arguments against it. Thanks.

Posted by Prakash Tendulkar on 2007 Oct 18 05:10:55 +0000

As usual, Alok's beaten the gang. I was working my contacts to shoot the interiors of the 84 berthed GR and the 81 berthed SL coaches at MAS. A wonderful set of pics, Alok! Thanks.

Posted by Sridhar Joshi on 2007 Oct 18 04:40:24 +0000

The side middle berth is fit only for this kid, not for us!

Posted by Jimmy Jose on 2007 Oct 18 01:44:51 +0000

God help us ....

Posted by Gautam on 2007 Oct 17 20:40:00 +0000

The last time i travelled on Gujrat Queen between Baroda and Ankleshwar, there were 2 FC coaches and both were packed to the rafters.

Posted by Sriskandh Subramanian on 2007 Oct 04 06:49:43 +0000

Karan, when we were all kids, everything about railways facinated us including this unique model of the coach =D. It still does ;-)

Posted by Siddhartha Ganesh on 2007 Oct 03 12:12:08 +0000