So you've probably heard of the Flying Scotsman. Big green thing, turned 100 this year, probably the most famous locomotive in the UK, if not the world. Adapted into Thomas the Tank Engine with a whole lot of charisma and eyebrows. But did you know that name wasn't hers originally?
'The Flying Scotsman' is actually the name (formerly a nickname) of the train. The locomotive is Flying Scotsman's monster named for it. She was given the name in 1924, to help promote said service at the British Empire exhibition. Any engine, with any rack of coaches, or any train set, can be the Flying Scotsman.
Right now, it's run by LNER's new Azumas, which get a special little outfit about it:
Most of the named trains in the UK were phased out with steam (although you can still catch the Sheffield continental from Sheffield to St. Pancras, or the Northern Lights from King's Cross to Aberdeen, among a handfull of others) but they live on elsewhere.
Some are luxury touring trains, like Japan's Seven Stars in Kyushu (left) or South Africa's Blue Train (right).
Transport isn't really the goal here. They sell out months in advance and cost anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars, depending on the class of ticket you get. They're an Experience, and a very cushy experience at that. Just look at their interiors!
(yes, that's a piano)
But the vast majority of named trains in operation (as far as I can tell) are regularly-running exepress services across Asia.
Japan names their Shinkanens, India, Pakistan, Bengladesh & Sri Lanka often name their intercity expresses. These are practical, long-distance services, often named for monuments, like India's Ajanta Express, named for the Ajanta caves:
Or their operating regions, like Sri Lanka's උත්තර දේවී | Princess/Queen of the North:
Some North American countries also kept historic named routes, like Amtrak's Sunset Limited, or Canada's Ocean, which has operated continuously since 1904:
but my personal favorite named services are Australia's historically-nicknamed "The Fish", named after one of its drivers:
and the numerous trains that have been companion-nicknamed "The Chips" to match.
There is an 80 paise difference per passenger per kilometre between AC 3-tier coaches and reserved Sleeper Class in 2019-20. Moreover, the fare of AC 3-tier has increased by 33 paise per passenger per kilo-metre in the past decade, while that of reserved Sleeper Class increased only by 17.4 paise, validating the affordability concerns of travellers. These changes were mandated due to the poor operating ratio of the Indian Railways - which worsened after the pandemic. Before the pandemic Indian Railways on average used to spend ₹98 to earn ₹100. In 2021-22, it spent ₹107 to earn every ₹100.
‘AC coaches rise at the cost of Sleeper and Second Class’, Hindu
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“Life is a train ride, and at the many stations along the route, people important to us debark, never to get aboard again, until by the end of the journey, we sit in a passenger car where most of the seats are empty.”
you know when you’re sitting on a train. and it could be for an hour or six. and you’re looking out the window at the trees and the buildings pass by so quickly. it can take a while to get used to the gradual speeding up of the train. eventually its constant. and sometimes you might let yourself calm down in this constant pace and your eyes start to close. and thats when the train jerks and forces you awake. and the cycle repeats. you keep trying to keep up with the trains speed, but as soon as you think you’re fine is when it forces you awake to keep up.
11th Vande Bharat Express, PM Modi showed green signal, know what will be the route?
PM Modi said that today the Vande Bharat Express train has become the hallmark of India’s growth and advancement। The entire country is being linked to this identity। Vande Bharat train is an example of modernity
Image Source: FILE11th Vande Bharat Express received by the country
Bhopal: Prime Minister…
6/7/2022: I'm currently in a train and trying to make the most of my alone travel time with some music and mcqs but i keep getting distracted by the green fields and the quick changing culture, attires and architecture across the boundaries of the many cities, towns and villages that ive now crossed.
And while i sat there feeling a little guilty for overlooking my goal of mcqs, the universe reminded me that the goal will still be there post sundown when the outside world will no longer be visible, by rewarding me with a random flock of courting male peacocks in all their flared feather glory.❤️
Ps: lowkey attached to my bag, a constant travel companion
Exploring India by train is an unforgettable experience! Whether you're planning a long-distance journey across the country or just a short trip to the next city, you need to follow some tips to make sure your journey is an enjoyable one. Watch the video till the end for such helpful tips!
For more information click here: https://www.railmitra.com or to get easy access of rail enquiry features like PNR Status, train time table, etc., download the RailMitra app: https://bit.ly/3hyVw5p
For more details click here to watch this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mFDY7zL1Vc