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The Boy Who Loved Trains
As a young officer posted in India’s Eastern Railway, Jeet Arora is responsible for running trains on one of the densest train routes in the country.
In doing so, he encounters pretty girls and thugs, shares space with buffaloes and goats and finds himself in the midst of oil spills and fires.
As he stumbles across several unexpected. Hilarious and entertaining adventures, can he keep trains and his sanity, on track?
In doing so, he encounters pretty girls and thugs, shares space with buffaloes and goats and finds himself in the midst of oil spills and fires.
As he stumbles across several unexpected. Hilarious and entertaining adventures, can he keep trains and his sanity, on track?
256 pages, Paperback
Published June 15, 2018
11 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
About the author
Deepak Sapra
1 book1 followerDeepak Sapra is a former Indian Railways Service officer. He is an alumnus of IRIMEE, Jamalpur and IIM Bangalore. He travels, blogs and writes on places and people. His diaries have been published by the Outlook Magazine. He currently holds a very senior position in an MNC and lives in Hyderabad with his family.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
May 24, 2021
A pretty little book by a former Indian Railways officer detailing out his work life. Quite a different topic and the book is filled with small anecdotes of Indian Railways. However, most of them can be found and are oft repeated on IRFCA forums to the point that reading about it again in a book without more details, didn't fascinate me much. At best, the book was more of a diary of an officer in the railways writing about his typical life from inside the Railway system.
But sometimes, half way through the book, one catches a glimpse of the dedication and dogged determination of the myriad people involved in running the behemoth of the Railways. One might particularly enjoy the chapters, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and A 'Ray' of Hope. It is due to people like them that people like me can continue romancing the railways.
Outside Trivia - Deepak Sapra is currently the MD in Dr. Reddy's Laboratory and is the first Indian to be inoculated with the Sputnik V vaccine.
But sometimes, half way through the book, one catches a glimpse of the dedication and dogged determination of the myriad people involved in running the behemoth of the Railways. One might particularly enjoy the chapters, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and A 'Ray' of Hope. It is due to people like them that people like me can continue romancing the railways.
Outside Trivia - Deepak Sapra is currently the MD in Dr. Reddy's Laboratory and is the first Indian to be inoculated with the Sputnik V vaccine.
October 1, 2018
Deepak Sapra uses his experiences earned during his career in the Eastern Railways to take you on an exciting train journey unlike any other. From his stint at the IRIMEE where he earned his engineering degree, to the challenges of working in an establishment of this magnitude as the Indian Railways, he keeps his readers engaged with a delightful story.
In addition to the insight that this novel offers on life within the IRS, generously flavoured with anecdotes on the mechanism of a government operation, there is also the subtle, often dry, humour that Sapra brings forth – of Jeet working amidst dust, oil and grease – which is extremely entertaining.
Amidst all this is Jeet’s family, who assume he must either be a Ticket Collector or Train Driver and can supply them with free train rides for the rest of their lives. Then, there are his own aspirations as a young man, doggedly vying for the romantic affections of his lady friend and hoping to put down some roots between the many directions that the train tracks follow.
After having read this novel, I wonder why more Indian authors do not write such pieces of fiction with a backdrop of the workings of large scale Indian industries. I believe they could be real entertainers, despite including what many would (incorrectly) assume to be mundane details.
As Jane Smiley wrote: Sometimes, a novel is like a train: the first chapter is a comfortable seat in an attractive carriage, and the narrative speeds up. But there are other sorts of trains, and other sorts of novels. They rush by in the dark; passengers framed in the lighted windows are smiling and enjoying themselves.
There couldn’t have been a better metaphor for this novel about the boy who loved trains.
For complete review, visit aquamarineflavours.wordpress.com.
In addition to the insight that this novel offers on life within the IRS, generously flavoured with anecdotes on the mechanism of a government operation, there is also the subtle, often dry, humour that Sapra brings forth – of Jeet working amidst dust, oil and grease – which is extremely entertaining.
Amidst all this is Jeet’s family, who assume he must either be a Ticket Collector or Train Driver and can supply them with free train rides for the rest of their lives. Then, there are his own aspirations as a young man, doggedly vying for the romantic affections of his lady friend and hoping to put down some roots between the many directions that the train tracks follow.
After having read this novel, I wonder why more Indian authors do not write such pieces of fiction with a backdrop of the workings of large scale Indian industries. I believe they could be real entertainers, despite including what many would (incorrectly) assume to be mundane details.
As Jane Smiley wrote: Sometimes, a novel is like a train: the first chapter is a comfortable seat in an attractive carriage, and the narrative speeds up. But there are other sorts of trains, and other sorts of novels. They rush by in the dark; passengers framed in the lighted windows are smiling and enjoying themselves.
There couldn’t have been a better metaphor for this novel about the boy who loved trains.
For complete review, visit aquamarineflavours.wordpress.com.
November 14, 2018
It is a nice book to read if you wanna escape from the clutches of everyday complexity. It is a unique theme the author has picked. In fact it drove me back to my teenage years when I had applied for the same entrance exams only to discover I couldn't crack it like the rest of India. Anyway it didn't stop me from moving ahead but it was definitely interesting to be part of such a process. The book should have had ore pages to clearly portray the protagonist's love story and his professional career as it unfolds in the bosom of the Indian Railways. It could have been a classic if those elements were covered similar to how Upmanyu Chatterjee had covered it in English August. From a literary point of view reading this book seemed like a train journey enclosed in a train that does not stop anywhere so you are devoid of the experiences you'd normally get in trains that stop at different stations. It is not a must read and definitely not a head turner but could be read on a lazy weekend or in the airport.
May 23, 2022
The protagonist, Jeet Arora, joins the prestigious IRIMEE, to become the youngest railway officer in his coveted SCRA batch of ten. The narrative covers his experiences of a decade of service in the Indian Railways (Eastern Railways)🚂
The book is fast-paced and entertaining. Each chapter deals with an episode or incident in Jeet's service life. Insider views of the luxurious training period of the young officers, being on duty 24X7...the arrogance, sentiments, sacrifices and sense of duty of the railway staff...the dangers, thrills and perks of being in the railways service... the politics, bureaucracy and doggedness of the system... Camaraderie, love and family... The author talks all about it with subtle humour and funny anecdotal fiction.🚃
It is a light read but with due seriousness to the industry, perfect to be picked up during travel or in-between intense reads. I also loved the train running across the back and front covers, and the railway tracks running on the outer edge of each page inside. If you love trains, this one is definitely for you 🛤️
I had the good fortune of meeting the author himself and his lovely wife recently. Mr. Sapra is an ex-railways service officer and I got to know that the book is largely based on actual events and characters, which made it even more appealing to me.
The book is fast-paced and entertaining. Each chapter deals with an episode or incident in Jeet's service life. Insider views of the luxurious training period of the young officers, being on duty 24X7...the arrogance, sentiments, sacrifices and sense of duty of the railway staff...the dangers, thrills and perks of being in the railways service... the politics, bureaucracy and doggedness of the system... Camaraderie, love and family... The author talks all about it with subtle humour and funny anecdotal fiction.🚃
It is a light read but with due seriousness to the industry, perfect to be picked up during travel or in-between intense reads. I also loved the train running across the back and front covers, and the railway tracks running on the outer edge of each page inside. If you love trains, this one is definitely for you 🛤️
I had the good fortune of meeting the author himself and his lovely wife recently. Mr. Sapra is an ex-railways service officer and I got to know that the book is largely based on actual events and characters, which made it even more appealing to me.
September 24, 2018
The Boy Who Loved Trains follows the story of Jeet Arora, an Indian Railways officer on one of the busiest routes in the country: the Eastern Railway.
It tracks his career and the defining moments that shape the man he becomes. He is tested and sometimes triumphs while other times learns valuable life lessons.
The book offers a fascinating insight into the Indian Railways institution - one that many of us on the outside would not necessarily see. He shows us the good, the bad, and the ugly - giving us a 360 degree view of some of the strengths of the organization as well as some of its weaknesses.
The heritage and history of the railways is rich and has many inspiring stories - the book highlights this nicely.
It is less novel and more a series of vignettes: scenes from the life of the protagonist. I learned a little bit about a different aspect of the railways in each one.
This is an enjoyable and light read - and the insights into a world very different than the one most of us know makes it worthwhile. Would definitely recommend this one. Happy reading!
It tracks his career and the defining moments that shape the man he becomes. He is tested and sometimes triumphs while other times learns valuable life lessons.
The book offers a fascinating insight into the Indian Railways institution - one that many of us on the outside would not necessarily see. He shows us the good, the bad, and the ugly - giving us a 360 degree view of some of the strengths of the organization as well as some of its weaknesses.
The heritage and history of the railways is rich and has many inspiring stories - the book highlights this nicely.
It is less novel and more a series of vignettes: scenes from the life of the protagonist. I learned a little bit about a different aspect of the railways in each one.
This is an enjoyable and light read - and the insights into a world very different than the one most of us know makes it worthwhile. Would definitely recommend this one. Happy reading!
July 26, 2018
Told from an insider’s perspective (Sapra is a former Indian Railways officer), this is a travel memoir spanning more than a decade. Jeet may not be your usual protagonist working in a glitzy MNC environment, but his life seems similar, nevertheless. His office may be a moving train, a different one each time, but the life lessons, work pressures, and romantic escapades are exactly what someone in the corporate world would experience-making his life and struggles just as relatable to someone who works the conventional nine-to-five job.
My biggest takeaway from the book is something seemingly obvious and yet often forgotten-you are but just a tiny drop in the ocean. But a drop that makes a gigantic difference and would surely be missed if it were not there.
Reading this book was much akin to a trip down memory lane – it brought alive many of my own memories – and took me on a journey that truly meant more than the destination.
My biggest takeaway from the book is something seemingly obvious and yet often forgotten-you are but just a tiny drop in the ocean. But a drop that makes a gigantic difference and would surely be missed if it were not there.
Reading this book was much akin to a trip down memory lane – it brought alive many of my own memories – and took me on a journey that truly meant more than the destination.
March 31, 2025
The Boy Who Loved Trains by Deepak Sapra is one of the most interesting books that I have ever read on Indian Railways. The book talks about managing the Indian railways and the joy & challenges that comes with it.
There were many parts that I loved. Some of my favorites were when the author spoke to the panel during his UPSC interview - assuming author was speaking about his experience through the book protagonist - overconfidence he showed was both amusing and eyeopening. Another one was his determination to restore the WP class steam locomotive was truly admirable.
I learnt a lot about the yester years of the Indian Railways like how the number of zones went from 9 to 16 and the challenges that followed. And many other difficult situations that were handled showed the hard work and passion required to run the Indian railways by largely unknown behind the scene workforce.
This was an amazing read and I would highly recommend it.
There were many parts that I loved. Some of my favorites were when the author spoke to the panel during his UPSC interview - assuming author was speaking about his experience through the book protagonist - overconfidence he showed was both amusing and eyeopening. Another one was his determination to restore the WP class steam locomotive was truly admirable.
I learnt a lot about the yester years of the Indian Railways like how the number of zones went from 9 to 16 and the challenges that followed. And many other difficult situations that were handled showed the hard work and passion required to run the Indian railways by largely unknown behind the scene workforce.
This was an amazing read and I would highly recommend it.
September 12, 2018
Giving this one an extra star simply because of the nostalgia it evokes to the reader, especially if you have grown up riding trains across the country in the 90s. For a large generation who have stopped taking the trains now and are choosing to fly due to easier time lines and cheaper air tickets this book is seeped with anecdotes and trivia about what is possibly the greatest and most efficient train network in the world. The writing is accessible, albeit a little too accessible. There are some portions of the book that delve into the personal life of the author and there are portions that get into the technicalities of the world that make it a tad bit boring. The read is a breeze though and good enough for a one time read.
September 8, 2019
Completed this book in just two days. The book is awesome. It will take you through the life of a Mechanical Officer in Indian Railways. Myself being an Officer in Indian Railways that also in Mechanical cadre, I could not resist myself from picking this book when I found this book in the library of National Academy of Indian Railways. The book is written so well that the reader cannot take is focus away even for a second. This insider story will tell you about the challenges and fun of working in Indian Railway. It will also give you an insight into department rivalries, tough postings, rail accidents and much more. This book is a must-read not only for the railwaymen but also for those who are ever fascinated by the Indian Railways.
September 1, 2019
As a railway kid myself, reading this was quite nostalgic. The writing is cheerful if a bit repetetive, and the generous comedic quips do evoke a laugh. Not much in terms of character development but you do get a sense of the protagonist's grandoise outlook over his own life.
Ultimately, this is a book about an entire ecosystem that loves trains and some lovely segments do stand out. It made me want to take a long train journey once! You surely can take a man out of railways, but not railways out of a man. :)
Ultimately, this is a book about an entire ecosystem that loves trains and some lovely segments do stand out. It made me want to take a long train journey once! You surely can take a man out of railways, but not railways out of a man. :)
July 10, 2018
A nice read for many such boys....
The book's content flows smoothly straight from the author's heart. Couldn't put it down. Reading the book was a nostalgic journey for me. And it will be the same for you too. Grab it.
The book's content flows smoothly straight from the author's heart. Couldn't put it down. Reading the book was a nostalgic journey for me. And it will be the same for you too. Grab it.
July 21, 2018
Wonderful book from the boy who loved trains!
Wonderful book from the boy who loved the trains. Thoroughly enjoyed little nuggets about Railway way of life. Brought back memories of my childhood trips and Madras-New Delhi trips during college days!
Wonderful book from the boy who loved the trains. Thoroughly enjoyed little nuggets about Railway way of life. Brought back memories of my childhood trips and Madras-New Delhi trips during college days!
June 13, 2020
Fascinating and amazing. The story of Indian railways specifically the eastern zone has been explained in detail. It also gives an account on the way railway functions: the engines, the locos, the people and the system.
July 11, 2018
A very entertaining read.
August 9, 2018
Very touching and gripping story that revolves around Indian Railways.
February 27, 2020
You would like If u are into trains like the author. The book is literally about the trains and the readers will find it hard to relate to the technicals.
October 19, 2021
Very true to Railway working.
Very interesting anecdotes of real life incidents in Railway working. Railwayman will enjoy reading it very much. Others will too.
Very interesting anecdotes of real life incidents in Railway working. Railwayman will enjoy reading it very much. Others will too.
June 6, 2022
Nice reading
Nice reading. Simple language.Light and pleasant. I am from a railway family and could relate to many incidents and events.
Nice reading. Simple language.Light and pleasant. I am from a railway family and could relate to many incidents and events.
August 23, 2018
This one takes you through the journey of a young boy where his fun time watching of
Railways turns into working for the same organization. The depth of explanation is apt. You get a feel of what it takes to work for Indian Railways. There are times when you get so immersed in the book that you actually find your self into a delusion of sitting in a real railway compartment. You will understand the technical aspects without getting bored. Overall was a fantastic experience and now I can’t wait to take a train journey (it’s been a very long time that I sat in a train)....
Railways turns into working for the same organization. The depth of explanation is apt. You get a feel of what it takes to work for Indian Railways. There are times when you get so immersed in the book that you actually find your self into a delusion of sitting in a real railway compartment. You will understand the technical aspects without getting bored. Overall was a fantastic experience and now I can’t wait to take a train journey (it’s been a very long time that I sat in a train)....
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews