Tales From The Tracks: Nostalgia, Comics, And Co-Passengers Of The 90s

For many of us, certain things remain intrinsically linked to train journeys: buying snacks on the platform, running after coolies, sitting on suitcases while waiting for the train, and browsing through books and comics at the A H Wheeler stands. In the 90s, when I grew up, no journey was complete without a Tinkle or a Champak to relieve the boredom of a long trip. Train journeys, especially for millennials, are imbued with a distinct taste of nostalgia, be it due to these unique experiences or the eccentric co-passengers you are saddled with. In this piece, I have dug out the innocence of memories narrated through these playful illustrations by renowned cartoonist Naganath GS, that take you back in time. So hop on, and let's meet the passengers.

Excess Baggage

Two crates of mangoes, bursting-at-the-seams holdalls, a mosquito net, a goldfish bowl—these are just some things I have seen people bring into trains. There is no such thing as too much baggage for these light (not) packers.

The Outsiders

Found sprawled across the small area between bogies, the unreserved, though a nuisance, help you with your luggage as you alight.

The Food Fairies

They are your hunger saviours, dawn breakers, and station locators (Arre bhai Kanpur aa gaya?). When the food vendors come aboard, you will find a variety of local snacks, newspapers, and a chat buddy to discuss the country's state of affairs. Although they can only spare a few minutes and get angry if you don't have loose change, they have given me some of my life's most satisfying breakfasts and chai.

The Cranky Kid Family

If you have the misfortune of sharing a coach with such a family, be prepared for your peace to be ruined. And if it is an overnight journey, God save you! The parents of such kids are either frazzled, trying to pacify the child, or entirely unbothered.

The Feasters

On a trip to Gwalior, a Marwari man once offered me an entire plate of delightful vegetarian food, complete with meetha paan as a digestive to top off the meal. I still regret not asking his wife the number of dabbas she had brought and some tips for packing so much food.

The Snorers

As a 10-year-old travelling for nearly 36 hours from Allahabad to Chennai in a train, I remember letting the train's rocking movements finally lull me to sleep when an earth-shattering snore made me jump out of my skin. The snorers could be the second worst of the lot, next only to the crying, cranky child.