Railway Facilities
There are various facilities offered on Indian Railways to assist you in your travels in India. Some of these are listed below:-

• In most railway stations there is a left luggage office. You can store luggage for up to 24 hours for a very small fee. Do check the local opening and closing times of these offices. This is especially good if you are arriving in a city in the morning and departing in the evening by another overnight train. Note: They do not accept any item that is not lockable. Hence, if you are carrying a rucksack you have to rig up a method of locking the same.
• In most railway stations there is a Ist class waiting hall for Ladies and Gents. The Ladies can go to the Gents waiting hall but not vice-vera. These waiting halls have a basic washbasin, toilet and shower facility. You have to carry your own soap, towel etc. This is ideal for those arriving at a city in the morning and leaving by overnight train in the evening.
  A typical waiting hall (at Howrah station) is shown below:-
  
  Photo above is taken by John Tickner
  
• If you are arriving at a destination and staying for a night you can do so by availing of the retiring rooms. These are basic rooms with beds and attached shower/toilet facilities at the railway stations. They cost a very small amount of money (as little as GBP 1 - 3 per night per twin room). The costs do vary in each city. They are on a first-come-first-served basis. Hence, ask the station masters at the railway stations for availability on arrival. Your Indrail pass always helps here. A typical retiring room resembles the photo below:-
  
  Photo above is taken by John Tickner
  
• If you are going on a train departing at 2200 hrs and arriving at the next destination the following morning at 0600 hrs, then chances are that you would eat your dinner before you board the train and breakfast the following morning when you get off the train. However, the train times may mean that you have to eat on board the train. You may either wish to carry food items for your travels. You can purchase food from the hawkers and peddlars at the railway stations. However, we do not recommend this (Not because the food is bad, but your stomach may not be suited to it). Alternatively, you can order the food on the trains through the conductor or attendant. Generally, these are full Indian Thali meals. The message of your requirement is passed on to the railway station. Your meal is prepared at the railway station and delivered to you on the train. All you pay for this is the cost of the meal which is approx. 30 - 40 British pence. Generally, this type is prepared for the masses of the population. Being full meals it is reasonably safe. However, its suitability largely depends on your stomach suitability.
• If you are travelling in AC class, AC 2 Tier, AC 3 tier and are really ill, you can request for a doctor through the conductor/guard. You will find that they pass on a message to one of the oncoming stations and a the facility of a railway doctor is available for help.