Howrah Rajdhani - At 50, the Handsome King 👑 is still ruling the tracks superbly. - Somanko

/blog/post/436629
Travelling in NDLS-Kalka Shatabdi, boarded from NDLS, after alighting at NZM on-board 12493..Train at PF#2 at NDLS as usual, while TN Express arrived at PF#3, adjacent PF, with 13 sleeper coaches and ED shed WAP#4. Our loco is Duronto livery WAP.......
ASR Shatabdi departed from PF#1, with 3 'E' coaches, must be highest in any Shatabdi, and an extra ICF coach...what a mismatch...for the so-called Swarn Shatabdi..had very poor coaches as per outlook...seems to be getting old and deserve new rake as per patronage...
12957...
more...

arrived,on PF#1, with and extra AC-2 coach , again Duronto liveried, and extra AC-3 coach too...
Very difficult to take snaps, once u board Shatabdi, as one door is blocked by a Cold Container sort of red coloured box, while other door is occupied by PC staff...so no snaps of LHBs of 12957.....
Anyway, the food was best in long time I had in any train....
"SUNSHUNE Caterers ZINDABAD..."
The waiter asked for choice (VG) - Cutlets or Upme - Vada, I closed my eyes and asked Upma Vada...
OMG...what a tasty stuff that was...
Real Hot and tasty stuff, along with Bread slices, butter, jam, Tea/Coffee, and a Jumpin Pineapple juice tetra-pack.
Welcome Tea had 2 eclairs, 2 Marie Bioscuits..
Train running nicely, not exactly scorching....
AC Good,,,,
Cleanliness good...
Food as already excellent,,
Coaches good from outside and inside, far better than Swarn Shatabdi rake...
Coaches had digital indicator boards too, same was missing on Swarn Shatabdi, and Rajdhanis -12957 and 12493 - too..
Seen Pataka Express on its way to PNP at some way-side station b/w NDLS and PNP...
Now train past KKDE and approaching UMB...
TTE checked ID card of all passengers,,
One lady had no I_Card,,the TTE was generous enough to give her time to get it,,and she got it on her mobile, thro' e-mail / scan of I_Card..and he accepted after telling that he had obliged her by doing so...
more to come incl snaps..