Here is my travel report in 12440 Ranchi Rajdhani express on 26th Sep, from NDLS to Koderma.
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Me and my family arrived around 3:30 PM at PF 14 of New Delhi Railway Station. Sharp at 3:45 PM, Gaziabad WAP 4 pulled Ranchi Rajdhani. The station was cleaned with chlorine pwder with Swacha Bharat Abhiyan being kicked off. I boarded my A2 coach with my family and at 4:10 PM the train left towards Ranchi. All the seats were booked due to Durga Puja rush.
As...
more... we left NDLS, I saw Poorva with WAP 7 at PF-16 with packaged coaches and Sealdah rajdhani at PF 13 waiting to leave.
The train slowed down near Shivaji bridge and left close to 4:30 PM gaining speed and galloping towards Aligarh. At around 5 PM snacks was served near Gaziabad with salted chana(Haldiram's),Sonpapdi,Bread Sandwich and frooti. Immediately after this tea was served. Sharp at 6: 30 PM we crossed Aligarh moving towards Kanpur. At around 7 PM tomato soup with bread sticks was served. At around 8: 30 PM dinner was served with Chapati, Rice,Chilly chicken and Dal with Vanilla Ice Cream. We arrived Kanpur at 9:45 PM and as we entered Mumbai bound Pushpak Express left PF-3. I saw Malda Town-Delhi Farakka Express at PF-6. I complained to House keeping staff of badly smelling liquid hand wash in the toilets which was promptly addressed.
We moved towards Allahabd with train crossing Allahabad at 11:30 PM with good speed. After that it gained tremendous speed till MGS arriving at 1:15 AM. As it arrived MGS, Sealdah Rajdhani arrived at adjacent platform within 10 mins. As we left MGS, I saw NDLS bound Dibrugarh Rajdhani entering MGS with its WAP 4 loco. Ranchi rajdhani stopped at Gaya outer for 10 mins and arrived at Gaya at 3:40 AM and finally Koderma at 5:10 AM sharp with a delay of 30 mins.
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Overall feedback:
1. Train is a lifeline for Bokaro and Koderma passengers as it takes minimum time
2. Food is ok and staff is very responsive
3. Housekeeping is poor
4. Train leaves NDLS a little early and arrives almost at same time with Bhubneshwar Rajdhani
5. Arrives very early at Koderma.
6. Old LHB coaches
7. Dinner/Lunch/Snacks is much below par as compared to other Rajdhani's ex. they don't give Salad with Dinner/Lunch and chocolates/eclairs with snacks
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Recommendations:
1. Prefer Bhubneshwar Rajdhani if travelling to Koderma, due to its timing at NDLS and KQR
2. Be Prepared for a 30-40 mins delay at ur destination station (Koderma, Bokaro, Ranchi) as it usually slows down after MGS till KQR
