Travelled on 12618 from PNVL to MAJN in SL at short notice during Christmas season, here are my observations.
Tried to book tickets in 3A and 2A, but got stuck in RLWL, ultimately settling for the lone available seat in SL class. Book your tickets well in advance, especially if you plan to travel during holiday seasons.
My...
more... coach S6 was jam-packed with people, mostly travelling to Ernakulam from northern India. I somehow made my way to seat number 48 (SUB) in the middle of the coach and could not move to the washrooms without risking my seat.
Link for the day was an ED WAP7, which occasionally ran at sectional MPS of 120 kmph.
From a 30 min delay at PNVL to a 1 h 10 min delay at MAO to an almost on-time arrival (only 5 min delay) at MAJN outer, the train was stopped for a whopping 40 more minutes at MAJN outer. Couldn't get down because the coach was jam-packed and because I had a couple of suitcases.
I had brought my own food, hence I didn't opt for the lunch from the pantry.
Washrooms were okay, at least on my coach. Some uneducated co-passengers threw plastic wrappers and even waste food under the seats. Stringent enforcement of rules is required to prevent such occurences.
However, the views of the beautiful Konkan Railway lightened my spirits.
Overall, if travelling on this train, please avoid booking in SL. Book in AC. Even better, avoid this train altogether. SR accords it step-motherly treatment.
