Every now and then an invitation comes along that is simply too good to refuse. When my friend Kaustav invited me to attend a Model Railroad Open House in Gurgaon, I knew I had to make the trip. It wasn't just about seeing an impressive model railway layout—we had a few other plans lined up for the visit, making it the perfect excuse for a short getaway.
The day began with an early morning IndiGo flight from Kolkata to Delhi. Thankfully, the journey itself was completely uneventful, exactly how I like my flights. Before long, we were descending into Delhi, and the moment the aircraft doors opened, I was greeted by that familiar North Indian winter air. It brought back memories of previous visits, although it also seemed noticeably more polluted than I remembered.
Stepping outside the terminal, I made what turned out to be the most expensive mistake of the day. Instead of booking an Uber—or better still, hopping onto Delhi's excellent Metro network—I opted for one of the airport cabs. Let's just say my wallet wasn't particularly happy about that decision. Lesson learnt!
Fortunately, the drive to Gurgaon was far smoother than expected. I had mentally prepared myself for endless traffic jams on the National Highway and long queues at the infamous toll plaza, but to my surprise, traffic flowed remarkably well. The only hiccup came during the final stretch, where the driver and I found ourselves circling the neighbourhood a few times before finally figuring out the correct entrance to the hotel.
My home for the next couple of days was Treebo Mall View in DLF Phase II, Sector 25. The hotel wasn't luxurious by any stretch, but it ticked all the boxes that really matter for a short stay. It was comfortable, cosy, and, most importantly, spotlessly clean. After a quick check-in, there wasn't much unpacking to do, so I decided to head back outside in search of lunch.
Earlier, I had noticed a small food cart on the main road, and it immediately caught my attention. After all, when you're in Delhi-NCR, it's almost impossible to resist the call of freshly made paranthas. They were everything I had hoped for—hot, generously stuffed, perfectly crisp on the outside, and incredibly satisfying. Sometimes it's the simplest roadside meals that leave the biggest impression.
With lunch done, I spent some time strolling around the neighbourhood, soaking in the atmosphere before returning to the hotel to relax. The real excitement of the day was still to come. That evening, we were meeting up for one of the highlights of the trip—the chance to enjoy some hands-on operating sessions on a beautifully built model railway layout. For any railway enthusiast, getting to actually operate a meticulously crafted layout is every bit as enjoyable as watching the trains run.
A Little Plane Spotting Along the Way
While trains remain my greatest passion, I also enjoy a bit of aircraft spotting whenever the opportunity presents itself. Airports are wonderful places for observing an ever-changing variety of aircraft, and this trip provided a few interesting sightings.
Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata
- Airbus A321-252NX – IndiGo (VT-ILR)
- ATR 72-600 – IndiGo (VT-IYG)
Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi
- Airbus A320-214 – AirAsia India (VT-MLE)
- De Havilland Canada DHC-8-402 (Dash 8 Q400) – SpiceJet "Kewda" (VT-SQJ)
- ATR 72-600 – IndiGo (VT-IYT)
The first day of the trip had been relatively simple—an early flight, a costly transport lesson, a comfortable hotel, some excellent roadside paranthas, and a few enjoyable aircraft sightings. But the real reason for travelling was still ahead. With an evening of model railway operations waiting, this Delhi-Gurgaon adventure was only just beginning, and I couldn't wait to see what the next chapter had in store.
