Here are some tid-bids from the journey:

The outbound journey was by 6345 Netravati Express. The loco in charge was WDM3D 11149 of Erode. My coach was WGACCN 06109 (B3) based at ERMC (Surprising since the train is based at TVC!). The coach was badly maintained. The toilets were stinking badly, and water was overflowing out of the toilet! The service by the pantry car and coach attendents were the worst as ever with this train! The train was about 23 minutes late while leaving Panvel, and arrived Thrissur late by around 15 minutes. The train was before time at Shoranur, but a lot of caution orders between Shoranur and Thrissur delayed the train heavily!

The return journey was by 2977 Marusagar Express. The loco this time was WDM3A #18707 of Ratlam. My coach was WGACCN 05117 (B5) based at JP. The coach was POHed in January, and appeared to be pretty well maintained! The train was on time at Thrissur, but reached Panvel late by an hour and 29 minutes. The train badly requires a Pantry car. The catering service on KR is available only between Honnavar and Khed/Veer. Breakfast is loaded at Honnavar, and it all depends on your luck whether you would get it! Lunch is served by "Benjoe" Restaurant @ Madgaon. The food was good, and vendors from Benjoe travel in the train all the way from Madgaon to Khed/Veer. There is absolutely no form of catering available for dinner on Day 2!

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