Purulia Express: লালপাহাড়ীর দ‍্যাশে যাবি? চিন্তা কিসের লো? বিকাল বেলা হাওড়া থেকে পুরুল্যা এক্সপেরেস পাবি। - Dip

True . I agree .

You might be aware that Initially , the T-18 train sets meant to replace shatabdis - habibganj shatabdi was considered the frontrunner ( It was rightly so - as the rakes are too old ) Nevertheless, "vande bharat " - a new brand - came into being .Sadly , Even gatimaan runs with conventional lhb rakes , while new vande Bharat trains keep getting introduced.
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You see , It is very peculiar practice in IR - Any new development is branded as a "luxurious and expensive " new class - be it anubhuti coaches , 3 tier economy ....or ....Humsafar , vande bharat , Amrit bharat , duronto , Jan shatabdi , Tejas , Tejas rajdhani , antyodaya... ....... These " branded concepts " soon end up getting diluted , once their " political face value " is over . Today we see Humsafar , duronto coaches in all type of trains . Even lhb Intercity and Jan shatabdi coaches are same . E-catering serves our taste buds relatively better then most pantry cars .
So , The only major difference that ultimately remains is speed and priority. If that is also compromised, than it diminishes the purpose of a "train brand" . For example - the infamous "khichdi duronto" .

I too personally prefer to travel in second AC or first AC for journeys over 7-8 hours - at least one can stretch the legs and rest . I find it far more comfy than chair or executive cars .