The mountain lines
The Kalka to Shimla and Nilgiri routes are slow by design, built for gradient rather than speed. They are the rare case where the lowest class is the best one, because the windows open.
The Konkan coast
Between Mumbai and Mangaluru the line crosses hundreds of bridges and tunnels through the Ghats. In the monsoon it is spectacular and frequently delayed, which is the trade.
Practical booking
Reservations open sixty days out and the good routes fill in minutes during holidays. For daytime scenic runs pick chair car over sleeper, and check which side of the train faces the valley before choosing a seat.
Eating on board
Pantry food is edible and rarely more. Ordering to your seat from a station vendor app is now reliable on the main routes and much better.
