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#TRAINCYCLOPEDIA
#10
NAME :
22113/22114 Mumbai Lokmanya Tilak Ter.- Kochuveli Super Fast Express.
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ROUTE:...
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1. Mumbai -Roha route
2. Konkan Railway
3. Mangalore-Trivandrum Trunk Route
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ETYMOLOGY:
It is a normal SF train and the only SF connectivity from Mumbai to Kerala
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HISTORY:
Mumbai -Kerala sector attracts one of the highest density of passengers in the IR. The train was introduced after the persistant efforts of the Mumbai Malayalees to have a daily SF to Kerala. However, it did not materialise and 22113/22114 LTT-KCVL Exp was introduced as a bi weekly train, sharing the kerala bound slot with 12201 Garib Rath Exp and the Mumbai bound slot with Ernakulam -Pune Poorna SF exp. Surprisingly, just like GaribRath exp the train has a "SuperFast" tag thought the average speed is less than 55 kmph.
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DESCRIPTION:
The train is maintained by the Central Railway. The trains base station is Lokamanya Tilak Terminus. It offers both AC sleeper, NON AC Sleeper and Unreserved Class accomodation. The rake consists of 2 AC 3 tier compartments , 1 AC 2Tier compartments , 6 Sleeper NON AC Class Compartments, 6 Unreserved coaches and 2 luggage cum General coaches. The train departs at 16.55 from Mumbai LTT on every TUESDAY and SATURDAY and reaches the next day. The return train 2114 departs Kochuveli at 00.35 on every Monday and Thursday. It has 8 general unreserved coaches that attract poor patronage and virtually remains empty throughout the trip. The train has a 17 coach rake but half of it is GEN. The train is one of the first trains to hit WL during the vacation season. The train passes through Mumbai city and the western ghats of Konkan Region and the Malabar Coastal Region in Kerala. The train plies on the Western Ghats which is famous for its bio diversity and offers a scintillating view of the mountains and valleys. the route is exceptionally beautiful during monsoon. The train connects the Marathi and Malayalam speaking regions. the train crosses the rivers of Patalganga, Vasishti, Savitri, Zuari and Mandovi, Sharavati, Netravati, Valappattanam, Kadalundi, Bharatapuzha, Periyar. The 22113 passes the entire Konkan Railway at night hence the beauty of KR cannot be enjoyed on the Kerala bound run, however the return train covers almost 70% of KR during daytime and hence offers spectacular views. The train abysmal departure timings on the Mumbai bound run from Kerala. It halts at 24 stations enroute excluding the origin and destination stations.
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LOCO LINK:
The train is hauled by WDM3D locomotive from the Kalyan Loco Shed.
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RSA: There does not exist any Rake sharing arrangement for this train.
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VERDICT:
The train is reasonably good for its speed but timings are pretty nasty on the 22114. Lack of pantry car is a huge disadvantage. There are very few reserved coaches on the train and hence getting tickets is a huge problem. The 22114 is not a favoured train though it runs on a very high potential route.
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FARES
AC - 2 Tier INR 2670
AC - 3 Tier INR 1830
Non AC Sleeper. INR 700
Gen -INR 365
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RATINGS:
Speed: Good 7/10
Comfort: Okayish 5/10
Cleanliness: Good 7/10
Food:Dreadful 2/10
Punctuality : Good but unreliable during monsoon 8/10
Total score: 29/50