I was travelling by train number: 06033 Chennai Egmore-Ernakulam special fare special on the 3rd/4th of June 2017. The rake was somewhat clean by Indian standards. But the journey turned out to be a nightmare. The train was late by 55 minutes by the time it reached Jolarpettai, just 225km from source. At Walayar, a non stopping station, it was detained for one hour for crossing with Cannanore-Coimbatore fast passenger. Again at Kanjikode, the next non stopping station it was detained for another hour for crossing with Alleppey-Tatanagar express. The funny thing is that, the railway Authorities were so senseless that the train was received on platform no 1 where there are no stalls for snacks or water. And they started the train very promptly after a 3 minute halt without giving the already hungry, thirsty and harassed passengers a chance to get refreshments. The train arrived at Thrissur, our destination...
more... at at around 1.30pm, late by 4 hours and 45 minutes. I will never travel by a special train hereafter.