IN PICTURES: India, as Seen through Its Train Journeys

We, as a country, take pride in the one mode of transportation that connects many far flung corners of India with one another. We love our railways. And to celebrate that collective love, here are some incredible pictures shot at the perfect moment by some great photographers, depicting the things we love to do on our train journeys.

“There’s something about the sound of a train that’s very romantic and nostalgic and hopeful.” – Paul Simon.

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There are many amongst us who can truly appreciate this saying – those of us who adore train journeys, enjoy them to the fullest, wait for the next trip, and collect beautiful experiences from the previous ones. Aren’t train journey simply extraordinary! The landscapes you cross, the people you meet, the games you play and the stations you count; a train is undoubtedly the best place to be with yourself and declutter your thoughts, if you want to.

We Indians surely love our railways, and everything associated with it.

With millions of people using the system every single day, it is a mode of transport which is closest to the heart of a common Indian citizen. We love it when our trains get upgraded, we celebrate when new features get added, and we follow every single news about our trains.

So, for a country that loves its railways, here are some amazing pictures depicting what we Indians do in our trains, at our stations, and during our journeys.

We make new friends, and spread smiles…

Photo Credit: Meena Kadri/Flickr

Lots of smiles.

Photo Credit: zipporah/Flickr

We read…

Photo Credit: vishwaant avk/Flickr

Then we read some more…

Photo Credit: Thomas Leuthard/Flickr

And even more – Because books make great companions.

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Photo Credit: Pushparaj Aitwal/Flickr

We do happen to meet some banana snatchers on the way at times.

Photo Credit: Christopher Porter/Flickr

Speaking of visitors, this one looks like its searching for grass at the wrong place

Photo Credit: Trent McBride/Flickr

And this one? Of course, it has no clue that walking on the tracks is not a very good idea.

Photo Credit: franco-emilio risso/Flickr

Yes, we travel with family. Ah! the excitement.

Photo Credit: Roshan Travel Photography/Flickr 

And playing cards – Which train journey is complete without that?

Photo Credit: Sumeet Jain/Flickr

On most days, it’s important to get a glimpse of the engine every time the train is at a curve…

Photo Credit: vishwaant avk/Flickr

And also to wave goodbye to all the children lined up along the villages we cross.

Source: Flickr

“A cold wind was blowing from the north, and it made the trees rustle like living things.” ― George R.R. Martin

Source: Flickr

Then there is that patient wait…

Source: Flickr

And that impatient wait.

Photo Credit: Carlos Zambrano/Flickr

There is no sleep like the sleep we get on trains…

Photo Credit: Dave/Flickr

And no better place for introspection.

Photo Credit: PROalan jones/Flickr

And lastly, how can we forget the food?

Photo Credit: zipporah/Flickr

All of this, just for the love of trains…

Photo Credit: TheZionView/Flickr

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