A YouTuber has spent 24 hours on Pakistan's most dangerous sleeper train, and vlogged the entire experience.
We've come a long way from chugging down the train tracks using the power of steam, but in 2024, train travel is still a popular choice. Whether it's taking the scenic route through lush greenery, or zipping by on record-breaking bullet trains, it beats sitting in traffic on the roads. While we can't all afford to pay the extortionate prices to get a cabin on the Orient Express, there are other first class train options that won't break the bank. The problem is, you probably shouldn't expect Orient Express luxury.
In a video posted to his channel, travel enthusiast Simon Wilson shared his 'hellish' experience travelling on Pakistan's 22-hour sleeper train. Heading from Karachi to Quetta by the Afghan border, Wilson already warned that he was worried this would be the worst train journey of his life.
After paying his 4,360 rupees (around $52) Wilson boarded the Bolan Mail and settled in. Although there was no first class option on this train, this was the highest class that supposedly came with air conditioning. It was more just a ceiling fan. He was shocked by the state of the toilet, but with a bench folding down to make a bed, we've definitely seen worst conditions. He was chatting to other passengers, including a man with a gun who warned the Bolan Mail can be a dangerous train.
Trying to catch some rest, Wilson grumbled: "These beds are honestly as comfy as a gym mat in school, you get no pillow, no blanket, and they're rock hard. This is going to be a hard night's sleep." In 'first class', there are beds down the side and six beds in each compartment.
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Going further down the train to explore the other classes, Wilson found a dining cart that has everything from chicken nuggets to traditional Pakistani food.
He also comes across one of the five security guards, who explains how he's had to use his SMG before, but typically, the train isn't too bad.
In the end, Wilson admits that there isn't much difference between the carriage, only that the lower classes are busier and have more rubbish on the floor.
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Climbing higher into the mountains, he was amazed at how remote it was, but also how there was an apparent lack of safety on these trains. With no doors, Wilson was worried you could fall out into nothingness.
As they neared Quetta, he even found a burnt train wreckage from a previous crash.
Finally making it to Quetta, Wilson cheered: "Just to be off that train, I cannot tell you how happy I am. I have been on that for exactly 24 hours...
"That has got to be the worst train journey I have ever been on. That was even worse than the North Korea one I did."
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We're not sure it's the worst train journey we've ever seen, but safe to say, we doubt Wilson will be rushing to do that trip again.