Train No. 02073/74 has been LHBfied. Travelled on this train on 02 March 2021 from HWH to BBS.
Cleanliness: The rake maintenance is at BBS, so 02074 can be expected to be clean, but 02073 becomes a little dirty as the 45 minutes at HWH is not enough for proper cleaning. Toilets can be better.
Punctuality: Maintains time, might be a little late at CTC(5 minutes) but is always on time (or before time) at BBS. This train can be speeded up in the HWH-KGP sector and SORO-BHC.
Food:...
more... No local vendors are allowed on this train (which is surprising as transgenders are allowed on this train to trouble people), and food is whatever is sold by standard IRCTC, which is not great.
Ticket Availability: This is a problem as no special trains are running on the paths of 12277 and 12841(02877 is on Sundays only), and this is the only train in the afternoon on this route, so tickets book out pretty fast in 2S and CC. Book atleast a month in advance.
Railfanning: Nothing great.
Safety: RPF's are available on the platform on which 02073 arrives at KGP and BLS.
Rake: Expected a 3x3 push back seating(like 12871/02829) in 2S, but its just like a a normal 2S coach, like any other intercity. A disappointment.
Crowd: Runs full. Daily passengers board it between JER-BLS-BHC as no locals a running on that route in the evenings.
Overall, can be better, but it's a better option than 02087.