I always thought of travelling in a first class coach of Indian railwsy. Though I used to travel a lot via train but never get into a first class coach owing to its high price. Apart from premium train like Rajdhani express or shatabdi, first class coach are also available in other trains. While charges of regular AC birth is INR 1500 approx 18USD, the charges for first AC us just double its price. It cost me INR 3400 approx 42USD.
However, in my last train travel, I got bit more lucky, as my ticket gets upgraded to first AC. It usually happens when there are seats available and your tickets are in waiting lists.
With so much of expensive nature, I was expecting some special treatment. For sure first class reservation never let you to reach before other coaches. But the excitement was there to find the difference and to see, how it differs from other AC coaches that aligned in the train. My coach was just after the engine. There is no specific sequencing but it happened that day, just behind the engine infact it was the first coach of the train.
The train had a long rail track ahead of it, and the engine was getting ready to roll on it. As there was enough time, I was trying to sneak into the engine, however the driver was not comfortable so, I avoided to take any picture. The shunting noise of other trains making the place quite unbearable.
Time to put my foot on first class coach. I quickly moved to the door and hop in. At first, it looked me to be same as like other AC coaches. Right at the entrance, it was the controller box for the coach. With so many buttons and lights blinking on it.
There was a small door around 2 feet of width, which took me to the compartment area. The inside view was different. The seat covers were red, and there were curtains. The coach was bit smaller in size as compaired to other train coaches.
In begining of the coach, there 2 compartment. Each compartments have Teo seats, and there was door to maintain privacy.
Rest of the coach, were same like any other AC coaches. However, there 4 seats in each compartment. With no doors. A set of bedroom is placed on each of the seats. To make your travelling easy, the railways provides the passenger a set of bedroll that contains a pillow, two cotton sheets, a hand towel and a blanket. Thos is enough to bear the AC coldness.
This is Inclusive in the railway tickets and a passenger is not suppose to pay extra. This is provided in every AC train coaches. This allows the passenger to carry less stuff. Having a small coach, the passenger were less. I was first one to boarded to the train coaches, only because of my excitement of experiencing first class. However I didn't find anything special. The same facility can be availed at half of the cost in third AC. It make me confused what rsilway is charging so much for a first class tickets. Too much expectation reduces joy. My excitement gets over as soon as if find it same as a normal AC coaches and passenger were not getting any special treatment. So my train started to roll.on the tracks, I went to the door to say good bye.
It made sense that my curiosity about first class travelling get over with no extra cost. I paid for a normal AC coaches and at same price I manage to get expeirnce of first class. Whixh is no special package. I would suggest you all never get fooled with such offer. Never get laid away with first class. Prefer to book a 3AC tickets and enjoy your travel.
Train will reach the destination at the fixed time, be it first class or third class, no way you going to reach in advance. So enjoy at minimum cost and enjoy the journey
@steemflow