India by Rail

Rating:
Summary: A very user-friendly guide to India's railroads
Review: As a long-standing fan of the Indian rail system, I find this book a guide which will be very useful for any foreign tourist who plans to travel by train in India. Packed with many useful tips, especially about the numerous regulations which one needs to know about. However, the writer errs somewhat in describing rail officials as being universally friendly and helpful; I am sure that most frequent travellers (Indian or foreign) might not agree with this. Strongly recommended to anyone interested in India's railroads.

Rating:
Summary: It's useful, but . . . .
Review: I can't quite give it the rave reviews that other readers have given, but it is probably the best book currently available on the subject. It does have quite a bit of useful information, though I didn't find it all that well organized and the author even repeats himself in places. I would have loved more detailed information on the trains themselves (from a passenger's perspective) and some illustrations if not photos. The author seems overly preoccupied with alcoholic beverages and I found his frequent references to the subject annoying. His few recommendations for accomodations were somewhat bizarre: five star hotels and low-budget places with almost nothing in-between. I'm not quite sure why he bothered with any.

Rating:
Summary: If you're into trains this is a great book
Review: It's been very useful in planning our trip, gives you types of service available, how long it takes from A - B and how to cope once you get there. We are purchasing tickets through a guy in Wembley, UK, that they recommended and it's all been true so far It's nice to get some specific advise, especially when you're trying to work out a route and timetable.