NCR - maar bhi, raftaar bhi - Harshit Sharma

Travelled by this train on 20-Jan-2017 from MAO-GDG, points noted include:
1. Travelled by AC-2-tier. Coach is numbered AV1, coach position was 8th from loco.
2. Loco were twins from ERODE Shed
3. AV1 and BV1 coaches are 2013-manufactured; fitted with bio-toilets. Excellent maintenance as informed by fellow IRI members. Coach was spic and span, and had a very quiet and undisturbed travel.
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Hyderabad portion of the train was in the front, followed by the VSG-Tirupati portion.
5. No pantry car; orders will be taken for lunch after Kulem / Castlerock, and lunch will be served at Castlerock/ Londa Jn. Options include Veg thali (chapati, vegetable, dal, rice, and curd), veg biriyani, egg biriyani, chicken biriyani. I didn't order food from the vendors since I had packed from home. However, travellers may please note that Castlerock / Londa Jn. do not qualify as hygienic stations for the purpose of food consumption and hence, may think twice before ordering food from the vendors. Best option is pack some stuff at Madgaon Jn , and include plenty of fruits, maybe packed foods like biscuits and homemade food. Additionally, food options may be available at Hubli Jn, since this train arrives on PF 1 at Hubli, and there is a 10-15 minute halt.
6. Too much of slack given between Dharwad-Hubli, nearly 1 hour 10 minutes given for a journey that normally takes 25 minutes. Clearly train can be sped up by at least 1 hour. I don't have much idea after Gadag Jn about the slack time given.