Shatabdi.

Say it. Shuh-THAHB-thee (as in tis of “thee”). It is an express train that goes between major cities in India. Mine is a five hour trip between New Delhi and Dehradun. At about 500 rupees one way ($12), it is a train for India’s middle and upper classes.

Across the platform is the 2nd Class train for those of lesser means.

Those tickets are around 125 rs. ($3) each. They don’t have assigned seats or air-conditioning. The windows are open-air with bars across, though they offer a better view.

A friend who I miss dearly once told me that 2nd Class is the way to go if you really want to get to know the country. Lower income students, farmers, and others all share the open seats.

While the Shatabdi is a quiet crowd, things are supposedly a little more fiesty in buttoned down second class. For my next series of train trips, I’ll be starting on the other side of the platform.