[BITList] Bombay -Calcutta,by train

[Ronald Thomas]

I too, did this trip, Bombay-Calcutta via Poona,Nagpur in September 1959, having just returned from the fairly newly introduced "Flying Leave". Having a Master's but only being a 2/O, I was travelling 1st Class on Air India Super Constellation.Fabulous service as I was nearly virtually poured on to the flight at Santa Cruz after a memorable p--up by my ex mates of the "Ordia". Cannot say that I had sobered up by the time we landed in London either! Met my future wife to be on that memorable Flying Leave and we are still married after 53 years in December this year.
Arriving back in Bombay was informed that "Pentakota" awaited me in Calcutta and duly equipped with ticket (again 1st Class)plus a tin chest with some (non alcoholic drinking  and chicken etc). and strictly informed that on no account was I to buy food at the various station halts. Prior to arriving at the first stop, a bearer came round and asked if I would like some tea.Waited a long time for it to appear, which it eventually did when we were on our way again. Got out and curiously looked around and saw all the bearers flocking around the steam locomotive tapping off boiling water which explained the delay in service!
I shared my compartment with a Sikh chap, who absolutely entranced me with the ritual he embarked upon do his absolutions and prayers. As we were the only two we got to chatting, he apparently was of a wealthy family and by the time we got to Calcutta, had invited me to a "Shikar" to hunt tigers. Fascinating trip culminating with being properly met at Howra and thence to my new home for the next 13 months.days of a long bygone era which, I fear will never be repeated. RT in F

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