Hello All,
Recently traveled on NDLS - LDH route to and fro from the 12037 coach C8/12038 coach C2 Shatabdi. Would like to share it with you.
1. Punctuality/Timings
The train was on schedule, no delays. Departed NDLS at 7 am and reached LDH at 12.10, 10 min before.
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left LDH at 16.40 sharp, reaching NDLS at 21.50, 15 min prior to its arrival time.
2. Catering
The catering, being Shatabdi is something that we look forward to. But I must say, it was disappointing.
In 12037, after leaving NDLS, water bottles were distributed followed by Tea. A noteworthy point is there was no coffee. Around 9 began service for breakfast. Choices- cutlets or Omelette. Being monday, I took cutlets and found them rather bland without much spices or salt. Bread was dry, sides uncut. Again, only tea was on offer after breakfast. That was end of service.
In 12038, the food was bit better than morning. After departure, water was given followed by a pattice, Aloo bhujia packet, a sweet which am still trying to figure what it was, a pack of apple juice followed by tea. Soup was tomato served with traditional bread sticks and butter chiplet. A word of caution - be careful with breadsticks, they were as good as rock. Dinner was paneer gravy with parathas, jeera rice and dal with curd and vanilla ice cream later. Better than morning but I think being prestigious trains shatabdis and Rajdhanis need to be quality checked for food timely. Hope it happens.
3. Cleanliness
Old shatabdi rakes, painted and renovated, yet comfortable. Consist had good stability. Knotched maximum of 111 kmph only. But again, this is not a high speed corridor.
4. Attendants/ staff
The TTE seemed to be lost in his own world. Utterly bored with his work. More than 50% of the rake was empty. The catering staff was dressed tidy. Seemed to do their job well.
It was hauled by a WDG-3A of TKD shed, could not get the number as it has faded completely from side.
Finally, a conclusion, guys try the shatabdi to LDH via UMB. It's not a bad train, but it's not an experience you would like to cherish.
Cheers!!!