We arrived in New Jalpaiguri from Gangtok and did not have a ticket for a train. We arrived about 2 pm and we asked at the reservation office (if you stand in front of New Jalpaiguri train station it’s a separate building to the right side) about our options. They were very friendly and said that they’d check what they can do. We whined a bit, that we really wanted to continue….bla bla bla, and that we wanted a second class ticket… After a few hours and after few times of asking they said, that they only got a 3rd class hard sleeper to Guwahati and from there ( with 5 hours waiting time) we could take the morning train (a seater) to Dimapur. So after a few gulps (lol) we took the 3rd class bench bed.
And in fact it was a interesting experience…first of all the people were very nice (but there were many in the wagon), so we sat outside on the platform and waited until the conductor came. He managed to free the upper berth (bench) and we could go to “sleep” immediately.
Bring an eye cover and ear blockers, cause there are bright neon lights and it’s really noisy. Also some blanket or soft pad to put on the bench. The upper bench is the best because the other ones are occupied for hours with people who chat and don’t go to sleep :)
The trains in India are generally often full for month, but enquire in New Jalpaiguri about the foreign people quota, there should always be one or two seats reserved for foreigners and we did not see a single foreigner all the way east of New Jalpaiguri.

This ist he website to chck the next 7 days availability of major trains in India: http://www.indianrail.gov.in/7days_avlpress_njp.html
WL means waiting list.

Any more questions, just ask :)
All the best! Nisa & Ulli

Great story and lovely photo of the Coffin Shop. Am traveling with my family to Nagaland in a day or 10. Am trying to online book a trainticket but am confronting with almost all the seats already taken. Will travel night train (can’t see any daytrain available) in 3-Tier AC sleeper. Would love to go during day light to see the landscape changing from Siliguri to the North-East. What day-train did you travel? Or didn’t you? And how did you get your tickets? How long in advance did you book and did you book online or did you boldly go to Siliguri Station to ask and book?

Thanks for your help,
Camille (in Kalimpong at present).