Hello Everybody,
I want to write down my experience of travelling on this train from CSMT to HWH that too in the winter season(16/12/2018).
We booked our ticket in 2A class and surprisingly got 2 CNF Lower berths (1-LB,1-SLB) and one UB in HA1 class coach. HA1 was 97 made coach with comfortable cushions. Though was bit dirty/dusty, there I noticed that every 2A class coach in this train has only one charging socket in each coup. Train from CSMT started right on time and blasted through the suburbs of Mumbai without taking...
more... any unnecessary time or delaying. Watching this was so delightful that I assumed that there will be uninterrupted punctuality till the end. To my assumption when I woke up in the morning at 0920 hrs, we were at ET well before the schedule. Leaving ET was very satisfying and warm. We left ET and the succeeding non-stopping station Gurra. Then the train slowed down to 5-10 Kmph and then halted just before Sontalai. At Sontalai we got a calling signal and were allowed to get parked in the main line. There was another train in the loop line, 22937 RJT REWA SF express. It was expected that 22937 will depart first and it did. After the departure of 22937 we were waiting for our turn, but here comes one more CR show stopper - 12149 PUNE DNR SF. As it came from behind and halted in loop line we crossed our fingers and wished to be departing before 12149. But to my shock, 12149 was given preference and our 12322 remain stranded. This was unexpected and then I started tweeting to DRM JBP for sensible controlling. While we were stranded at Sontalai, slowly and steadily buzzing and the crackling sound was getting strong from behind, now comes another SF of CR, 12141 LTT PPTA SF. I become very impatient and retweeted my concern. Guess what! 12322 was given proceed signal. Our WAP-4 of ET shed horned and we started from Sontalai. We reached PPI almost 2 hrs late. Then after PPI, 12322 was again called into the loop line at Bankhedi. Now it was time for 12141 to show the wrath. 12141 with ET WAP4 at its helm thrashed 12322 at Bankhedi. After all this insensible controlling we reached KTE almost 02:30 hrs behind the schedule and 12322 was given WDP4B of ET shed thereafter.
Now comes the NCR controlling, whatever delaying quota of 12322 was left was completed by the NCR controller. They took 01:30 hrs to call in 12322 from Link cabin to ACOI platform No. 4. We were received almost 5 hrs behind the schedule at MGS. At MGS, 12322 was given its customary WAP-7 of HWH shed. After getting WAP-7, 12322 started flying and thrashed almost every non-stopping stations.12322 was so good after getting WAP-7 that we ended up with 04:00 hr delay at HWH.
I enjoyed every bit of my journey on this train. At certain points, I was a bit irritated by the controller but in the end, I love our INDIAN RAILWAYS and enjoy travelling in Railways.
Food/Catering,
I was giving POOR rating but had given average as I feel that caterers should be given one more chance. It's true that food was not of good quality and the catering staffs were annoying.
The journey was comfortable.
The train doesn't delay much nowadays as you can check on NTES. The day before we travelled on this train, it was on time throughout. So punctuality of this particular train depends upon sudden sectional traffic and priorities.
Coaches are very old and dusty but you may find some 14/15/16/17 made ones.
Charging sockets are available in each coup but the number may vary from one to two(3A).
Buying GNWL waitlist ticket within 10WL (in 2A/3A) will end up with CNF status.
