Query Approved and Moved

Since I just transported my bike by train only yesterday, I guess I can answer your query.

Not much technicalities are involved in transporting a motorcycle by train. There are 2 basic procedures for transporting a motorcycle by train.

1. Luggage
2. Parcel

Since I have transported my bike as Luggage twice already, I will majorly comment on that.

When transporting your bike as luggage, documents you need are:
1. A confirmed train ticket
2. A valid insurance policy
3. Registration Certificate of the bike
4. Photo ID (Driving license)

As you would realize from the above list, there are no extra documents required over what you already should have when going out touring.

The vehicle is booked for transport 2 hours before the train is scheduled to leave the station so that you do not need to make multiple trips to the railway station (you can always wait in the waiting room/platform when the bike is booked). Most luggage offices are open 24 hours a day.

When transporting your bike as parcel, following documents are required:
1. A valid insurance policy
2. Registration Certificate of the bike
3. Photo ID (Driving license)

This method is slightly cheaper but also slower than Luggage since Freight rates for parcel are lesser than Luggage but you don't have control over which train the bike is loaded on.

Most parcel offices are open only from 10AM to 5PM so thats the time your vehicle can be booked.

Info common to both: There are always packer+loader people present who will do basic packing with gunny sacks + cardboard etc. so that the bike doesn't get damaged in transit. In 2 times that my bike has been transported as luggage, no part has been damaged. These people charge somewhere between 300-600 depending upon the time of day, daily business and the amount of alcohol in their system . This packing though beneficial, is not compulsary and the clerk cannot refuse to book your vehicle without any packing whatsoever if you insist on it. (The standard packaging prescribed by Indian Railways is a wooden carton/cage which is almost never used)

IMPORTANT: Do not lose the receipt that you get from the parcel/lugggage office or else you will be stuck with a lengthy procedure to retrieve the bike which could take at least 2-3 days to complete.

Thanks for replying bro.
I have one more doubt ,
1).Whether Learner Licence will suffice ?
2).Do long distance trains with large number of stoppage stations have a very messy luggage van & all the stuff is just thrown up one upon another , as i hear people say.?
3).Train on which i intend to load bike has 5min stoppage at dhanbad, is it enough ?
4).If luggage van is already full then what?

A. Yes, its enough. It will be used only to establish your identity. Even PAN card is alright.
A. Thats the reason we have basic packing for the bike which will protect it if such a thing happens.
A. These guys know their job. 5 min is more than enough. The train from which my bike was offloaded about 24 hours back had a stoppage of 2 minutes (00:58 AM to 01:00 AM)
A. *Valid only if you book the bike as Luggage* Then they load the bike on the next direct train to the same destination while you continue with your journey .