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Pre-boarding activities:
> Arrived at station at around 13.45 hrs, after a successful trip to Akshardham. Parents decided to rest in Waiting Room at AGC end of PF-1.
> Ventured out for a bit of rail-fanning at NDLS, Shridham was on PF-1 with TKD WAP-7, UP and DOWN Sachkhand were on PF-4 & 3 respectively. 12424 DBRG Rajdhani was on PF-16, Mahabodhi on PF-8 and Bihar SK on PF-14. In the meanwhile, called our admins Zahaib & Stevenson for the Delhi admin meet.
> Zahaib arrived first, followed by Stevenson and Rohit Kumar Singh Ji. We had a wonderful time with each other, discussing about
my journey by 12263 , Delhi, NDLS as a station, personal lives, etc. As the meet was underway, 12046 CDG-NDLS Shatabdi arrived behind GZB WAP-7. WR King 12951 Mumbai Rajdhani was on PF-3. The rake of NDLS-LKO AC Express was being shunted and was waiting on the through line for signal. Soon 12046 got shunted away and the rake of 12013 was placed on PF-1, brought in by a SSB Shunter. The shunter was replaced by a GZB WAP-5 later on.
> We bade each other goodbye and I along with my family went inside our coach C10, secured the luggage and occupied our seats awaiting the journey.
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Post Departure
At exactly 16.30, the train gave a forward jerk perhaps informing passengers “Welcome to the World of LHB-CBC Coaches”. Have a jerky ride!! The loco was negotiating the crossovers and points at a slow pace. Spotted the huge NDLS Trip Shed on the right side containing various electrics and diesels from all over India, surely it was a treat to the eyes. We were soon on the mainline and the line from Old Delhi Jn joined us at Sadar Bazaar. The speed increased a bit but still it wasn’t MPS, as we had covered about 20 kms in 30 mins post departure, with the lovely curve of Khera Kalan having crossed at 17.00.
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Soon after departure, the pantry guys of MEALS ON WHEELS started their service giving RAIL NEER to everyone. This was then followed by evening snacks, consisting of 1 Veg Puff, Tomato Ketchup sachet, Soan Papdi, Aloo Bhujia Sev and Tea. The taste was good.
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The train was now in Haryana and P5 looked aggressive, flying past stations at MPS. The train was giving a lot of jerks. A few “village” ladies from rural background could only wonder what was wrong in the train and one of them said loudly “Yeh train kaafi latke aur jhatke de rahi hain, pata nahi kuch to gadbad zaroor hain!!”. Surrounding passengers, including me laughed at that statement and it provided great amusement to all.
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The latest edition of RAILBANDHU had been provided and I flipped through the pages, which I found to be interesting to get informed about the various facets of a wonder called IR. Soon after, Tomato Soup, Amul Butter Chiplet and Breadsticks were served. The taste of the soup was OK. After a mixed run of MPS and slowdowns, just when I felt were were going to be bang on time at Ambala, my hopes were dented and we were allowed to halt at outer for nearly 20 mins. We soon arrived on PF-6. Overtook 18507 Hirakud Express standing on PF-7 here. After a brief halt, we again started rolling, with the lady in the PA system welcoming the passengers onboard. Similarly, made a quick touch and go halt of 2 minutes at Sirhind Jn at 20.03, 20 minutes late.
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There were about 2 guys who were waiting near the door, who had been accommodated by the TTE subject to availability of seat at intermediate stations, who now came inside and occupied the seats of people who got down at UMB. The train continued its mixed run. At 19.45, service of Pantry guys started again, to serve dinner to passengers bound for Ludhiana. At around 20.00, dinner to LDH passengers was served, while those wanting to deboard further of LDH would have to wait.
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The LDH passengers were just gobbling the food hurriedly, for they had to finish it prior to getting down. Some passengers even took the ice-cream home instead of having it in the train. The train soon made its way onto PF-2 at 20.48. A somewhat packed 13050 ASR-HWH Express was on PF-1, behind GZB WAP-4. The train shed some of its human cargo here. We departed at 20.52 and dinner was served to us. We opted for Non-Veg meal, which proved to be a correct decision. The meal consisted of 2 Roomali Rotis, Butter Chicken (but with bone), Salad, Pickle, Curds, Jeera Rice and Dal Makhani (thick consistency) which according to me was simply sumptuous and excellent. The chicken pieces were ample and juicy. This wonderful meal was followed by a Vanilla Ice-cream.
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“Lovely” town of Phagwara Jn (LPU is situated here) was the next halt, 25 min late behind scheduled time at around 21.30. A few passengers got down here. The train didn’t hit MPS for long during PGW-JUC stretch and maintained a steady speed, arriving into PF-1 of JUC at 21.48 and departing at 21.53. Nearly 80% of the passengers got down here and our coach wore a somewhat deserted look. Post JUC, the P5 unleashed itself and hit MPS, in an attempt to cover lost time and trying to make up for the delay, but this joy of train flying at MPS was only short-lived as controllers / speed restrictions on the way made the train to slow down intermittently. Crossed the bridge over Beas river to arrive into Beas Jn at 22.25, still 30 min late. The same cat and mouse game of speed and slowdown continued all the way upto ASR outer, and having recovered 15 minutes, we were halted for some 5-10 minutes at ASR outer and then the train just crawled onto PF-1 at around 23.00 hrs, concluding our memorable journey.
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Ratings:
Speed: 8/10
Cleanliness: 9/10
Punctuality: 8/10
Food: 8/10
