Trip Report Part I
Doj: 30/01/20
My first train journey that I vaguely remember was in ‘Howrah Rajdhani’, way back in 1992, from NDLS to HWH in its ICF Glory. After that I didn’t had any opportunity to enjoy the Raj journey. By that time, from HWH Rajdhani, it became King of ER as so many railfans would call it.
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now in 2020, after 28 long years of wait, I got an opportunity to again relish those memories and of course make new one. But there was a change. This time I chose the Queen of ER ‘Sealdah Rajdhani’ from NDLS to SDAH, in the LHB avatar. I had the choice of HWH Rajdhani and SDAH Duronto as well but I wanted to, hence opted for SDAH Raj.
Reason: It’s pretty easy to reach my home from Sealdah as compared to Howrah & Rajdhani is way more punctual than the SDAH Duronto
Now coming back to the journey day (30/01/20). I had an early start to the day. I was coming back from LDH after attending a marriage. I had ticket in SL in Sachkhand Exp which was scheduled to arrive NDLS at 1:00 PM. Well the journey from LDH till NDLS was nothing exciting in the morning fog, except for the fact the LHB coaches aren’t that clean or the OBHS didn’t do their job perfectly. I didn’t mind coz I had only 5 hours to spend.
After reaching NDLS right on time, I was actually searching for the IRCTC Executive lounge. Since I hadn’t been to Delhi, it was bit complex initially. I did ask couple of stalls/IRCTC Canteens, but none were able to help as to where the IRCTC lounge exists. Somehow with a weaker internet speed, I googled and found that the lounge sits in the PF 16 concourse. So I headed to the lounge, to freshen up and have lunch since I had almost 2:30hrs free time. Locating the Lounge wasn’t an easy task, since one needs to go out of the PF16 and in the adjacent hallway lies the Lounge. I had an ICICI Amex Cr Card which was acceptable at a nominal price of Rs. 2. The lounge is 2 storied but a small and quaint one. (Plz don’t compare with any Airport lounges, you will be disappointed).
The drinks (non-alcoholic), tea/beverages and snacks/food are free once you are in. The only thing chargeable inside the lounge is the Shower which was Rs. 235. I opted to have a shower since I had an early start and still another 17-18 hours journey left. Bath kit, towels were provided. It was pretty refreshing to have a shower after a smelly journey in the SL. I chose a very light snacks along with coffee. By the time it was 3:30PM, I just checked with the reception regarding the PF information where the SDAH Raj would be put in. I was informed it would ideally be at PF 13. So right at 4:00 PM, I collected a bottle of water and headed to PF13 for the most awaited journey.
Well the wait was little longer as the train wasn’t being shunted in the Platform. Time ticking by, Mumbai Rajdhani was settled in an adjacent PF. My wish of having a small parallel action till Shivaji or Tilak bridge was marred as the Mumbai Rajdhani was supposed to leave at 4:25 PM, so as the SDAH Rajdhani. But only at 4:30PM, in came the SDAH Rajdhani, in its bright LHB avatar, hauled by HWH P7 (37812). By that time Mum Raj left.
The Coach Composition is same as mentioned in the site. So no tinkering with that. I had a booking in B2, Seat 1, LB. Way behind. Within 5-10 mins I guess, the entire coach was filled. Only people who had come to see off their dear ones where left in the PF. The 3A coach actually seemed a Gen coach, the way it got packed. Plus few passengers got current reservation as seats were available even after the final Charting was done.
By that time we knew that we are gonna start a bit late, but does that mean that we would trail the HWH Raj which was scheduled at 4:55 PM ??. Hell No.. we started at 4:50 PM and by the time it was 4:55 PM, we halfway crossed PF14 and almost 70% of the HWH Raj where we stopped again. It was exciting to see that which Rajdhani would be allowed earlier. Well all speculations were laid to rest, when we started first. So with a delay of 40 mins, we finally left NDLS and left the HWH Raj behind us to trail. Well I wasn’t sure that whether the HWH Raj would overtake us somewhere in between, but it was just a mere thought that came across my mind. As soon as we hit the sweet spot of 90-100 KMPH leaving Delhi all along, in comes the Evening Snacks tray.
The snacks tray was comprised of very basic vitals. A Cup Cake, a stuffed kachori, a packet of Bhujiya and a Sweet. With that came our evening Tea kit (Tea Bag, Milk Powder and sugar sachets). Hot water was served in a flask.
Now I knew that this train overtakes a lot of trains en-route, but being dark outside, given the Winter evening, it was quite challenging every time to look out the other side of the window to see if we are overrunning any other Train. Well got nothing to see so decided to check out the Rail Yatri app to see where we are approaching and what speeds we were maintaining. We were doing a banging 129-130KpH. It was difficult to peep out and see the stations and junctions fly past. I could only recognize Aligarh and Hathras skip, Hathras being a slow skip. But more than often we’re getting slowed down a bit and then again roar back to life. By the time it was 6:30PM, the pantry staff took orders for our dinner.
One thing that was a big thumbs up for me was the Cleanliness of the coach, the passages and the washrooms. The washrooms were clean and dry, had Liquid hand-wash dispenser (I was glad that there was not much in the hand-wash mix), tissue paper, Auto Janitor sensor, small tissue paper vendor box, dustbin and an automated fragrance dispenser.
We were running late by odd 40-45 mins when the 1st batch of dinner was served to few coupes. Most of the passengers returned their food citing the timings being too early to have a dinner. It was 7:30 PM when the dinner was served. I expected a Soup as well but I learnt that they have stopped providing Soup before meals long back. So ADMINS, please rectify the catering info over here, SDAH Raj doesn’t provide soup before dinner. I had ordered a Chicken meal. I again checked Railyatri and got the speed as 134KPH. That’s an exhilarating run. I thought that the LP’s were in the mood to make up those 40 odd minutes. Well, a happy wish is a myth, as it turned out that we were being slowed down now and then which resulted in mounting the delay. I checked in the Railyatri App, there were fog alerts near Kanpur and Gaya.
By the time it was 8:30 PM, the pantry staff came back with my meal and it was very warm. The dinner comprised of Jeera Rice, Chapati (2 Nos), Dal, A mix paneer veg and chicken). I ate like a glutton and also helped myself with an extra serving of Jeera rice. The food tasted Okay. It was not that GREAT or Overwhelming but better than most of the trains I would say. I took time and finished my dinner. Within 5-6 mins after finishing dinner, we’re treated with Amul Vanilla Ice-cream which was a nice addition. The Pantry staff took orders for breakfast as well. By that time we were already running late by 50 mins and we’re yet to reach KANPUR.
Right at 10:15 we pulled into CNB. The delay was now an hour. With a stay of 10 mins, we departed from CNB. As soon as we’re about to pull out from the PF, the HWH Raj was announced at the same PF where we were in. So the ER KING was right at our heels.
With this, it didn’t made much sense to me to keep awake as the Middle berths were already laid open by the fellow passengers, so I also decided to call it a day and tuck in the bed. The bedsheets, blanket and the towel was clean and crisp. I made my bed, got freshened up and hit the sack with the hope that we make up the lost time.
Contd in Part II
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