My brother and I had the opportunity to travel between Chennai an Ernakulam in both 22207 and 22208. How was the train and the journey? LOVED IT!
Seriously expectations were low. Old ICF rake and terrible food were the expectation. Only reason I booked this train was because all other trains were full. I wanted to experience the non stop run till ED and possibly some over takes.
22207 – we were assigned a LB and MB mid coach in B8. B8 was right next to the loco after the EOG....
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The EOG next to our coach was switched on. One look at the coach which was a 95 made (IIRC) and was in Duronto Livery. The exteriors were pathetic. Well , that was expected. When we entered the coach, we were pleasently surprised. Very clean and extermely well maintained. That was unexpected. We deposited our bags in the berth and went out to wait for departure. Loco was ED 22224.
Departed on time, had a parrellel action with Chennai Gudur Passenger till BBQ home where he was stopped and we continued on our way to ERS. AJJ was skipped. But at KPD, we were looped to PF1 and ground to a halt. Caution order was handed over and we left. Rest I don’t even remember, except when we skipped Salem.
Food – guys it was awesome. Awesome is an understatement. As soon as we were in, we got one water bottle. Then masala ground nuts, milk sweet, somasa and ketchup. They were from Ganga Sweets. Hot water was provided and we can make either tea or coffee was per our wish with the tea / coffee bags and diary whitener and packed sugar.
For dinner, veg soup was served. I don’t remember having tasted a better veg soup any where. Excellent taste. Then the main course. Veg pulav, chappatti, chicken curry, dhal and packed curd. Amul vanilla ice cream for dessert.
May be it was because of the low expectations. But the food turned out to be extremely tasty. Down side, very low quantity. Im a light eater and still it wasn’t enough for me  but I was content.
It so happened that two passengers did not turn up in my bay. So there were just four of us and the berths work like in 2nd AC – where you lower the back rest to make the lower berth and pull down the middle berth from top. It did feel like 2AC, except that the curtains were missing. Toilets were very clean through out the run. Probably cause the train has no stops and they were no intermediate passengers boarding. Crew change at ED was completed with in five mins. I remember halting at Palakkad in the sleep. Reached Ernakulam 30 mins late. And yes, half my coach emptied itself out at Ernakulam.
22208 – will give an update as I find time.