Travelled from YPR to ERN on 25/01
Departure:
- Expect a slight delay in departure from Yesvantpur due to heavy traffic at that time. Incoming traffic also blocks the way as this train has to cross all the tracks. Should depart from PF1.
- Regular link is an Alco. I got an EMD.
Bedding:...
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- Bedding is available at INR 25 per set. Be quick to pick yours. 1 blanket, 1 pillow with cover and a bed sheet is provided.
- Most of the passengers prefer to board from Banaswadi because of proximity to many residential areas. You can choose Banaswadi as your boarding point. YPR to Banaswadi is damn slow anyways. YPR passengers: Prepare your bed before/after departure from YPR. It will become little uncomfortable to prepare the bed after the coach gets full.
Food:
- Food vendors come with dinner options till Hosur.
- Next morning, food operations start from Palakkad/Thrissur.
- Variety of food items available.
Seating:
- 78 berths per coach
- 2 charging slots per bay. Side middle berth gets the charging slot to him/herself at night.
Ticket bookings:
- Ample seats available. Just do some advance reservation in case of long weekends (Friday or Monday off). Be sure to connect via high-speed internet during Tatkal booking on those days.
Cleanliness:
- It is a very clean train. Toilets are spick and span. Coaches are cleaned after Thrissur. One of the cleanest train I have ever been on.
Speed/Punctuality:
- Maintains good speed throughout. 110 km/hr is a regular affair.
- Punctuality varies, depends on the station you are getting down. Almost right time by Coimbatore. And then the delay increases again. It forms a V-shaped graph.
Railfanning:
- Kerala in broad day-light.
- Notable points: Crossing with SBC-MAS line after BAND, hillocks after Hosur at night, Cauvery river just before Erode, SRR triangle, Kochi airport after Angamaly for Kalady (on the left side).
- EMD/Alco chugging fans, just keep your camera ON. Plenty of hard acceleration.