Transporting by Train
From BikeNomads
Had done it when going to Spiti trip. You need to get the bike in the station 3-4 hours before the departure (if its main city terminal, earlier the better). With such a short notice I don't think it would be possible for u to get the bike loaded without help from agents/touts there.
What you need to carry and do:
- Empty bike tank (i mean no petrol at all even on shaking or tilting there should be no signs of fuel).
- Bike original papers and two copies of registration papers
- Get there early enough and to to the luggage/parcel department.
- Go to the main booking counter and tell them you need to take the bike with you and it is urgent. Show them your ticket if required. There are two options available with them. One is to book as extra luggage. Theoretically the bike WILL be shipped along with you in the train (if there is space). Other option is to send it as parcel to self. This is in theory ship when space available in parcel van. So they can ship it anytime they want. Difference between both is the time and price. Luggage is guaranteed to send in same train but little more than double the price of parcel.
- Bargain with agent if available or booking staff to take as parcel in the same train. They may ask for some cut (for various reasons). Make sure the deal is ok for you. You should not end up paying more than the luggage transport charge.
- After OK from them, check for police mama in the dept. They have to inspect the bike so that it is declared safe (I used left over petrol from bike as bribe most ppl).
- Remove RVMs and any other thing that might be hanging off te bike and can get damaged (keep a small toolkit handy for this, vehicle toolkit should be enough) Get the bike neatly packed from some of the guy (many will be there just outside the office). Usually Rs.100-150 is enough.
- Get the bike inside to the parcel staff and ask them to load in your train. If possible wait and make sure its loaded properly without loaing anything on top of your bike (pay something extra for it if u feel thats worth the money).
- Keep the receipt safely. Travel to destination.
- Hope that the train arrives withing office hours so that you can get the bike out immediately. Unload the bike from the train (if its not the last station or place where the train stops for short time, you will have to hurry).
- Get the bike to the stations parcel office and get gate pass (some more bribing may be required here :-( ).
- Get the bike on the road again.
Simple naa!! :-D All said and done I still prefer this to road cargo. Even though the process is more tedious, in the end it works out cheaper and safer once the bike is properly loaded inside.
If you have the option of going in a volvo, dont think twice, take it in the volvo instead. All that documentation and jhanjhat is not there, and you can ride the bike soon after you reach the place. Hope all this helps !
Thanks and Regards,
Srikeerthi K S