Dec 29, 2006 02:21 PM
4035 Views
Firstly I should admit, I don't know which Madras Mail (now Chennai Mail) the product actually was put for. In my review, I will be talking about Train 2657 and 2658 which I've travelled about a dozen times and have explored the other night trains from Bangalore to Chennai as well.
The main thing that is good about this train is the timings, especially the one starting from Chennai. It starts at 2315 from Chennai Central and reaches at 530 am at Bangalore City Junction, and all the times I've travelled, the train has been on time and a few times before time too. The timing is perfect to catch the bus and reach home by 620, which is about 15 kms from City Jn. in Bangalore South. Last week I returned in Kaveri Express (6222) and it arrived 25 mins before time (420 am) to SBC :O and had to wait in the cold at Majestic for an hour to catch a bus, thats too early. The official time too is 445 am. The departure at 1115 pm from Chennai is good too, can spend more time at home and easily reach Central without any traffic problems.
On the Bangalore-Chennai (2657) train, the only advantages are that reaches Central before suburban traffic starts and its the earliest train from Bangalore to Chennai. Waiting for Kaveri Express is the biggest pain, the official arrival time is 2300, but arrives only around 2340 and after that you have to wait for coaches to be attached and departs around midnight. The entire process tests your patience when you feel extremely sleepy.
On both the directions, the coaches(South or Southwestern) are pretty good and clean. I did'nt find anything wrong with Kaveri Express coaches either. But for heaven sake avoid Guwahati Express, its one of the nightmarish trains to travel to Chennai. The entire space near the doors is blocked by the people from unreserved, you can't move out of your coach or goto the toilet, wash your face or anything. In comparison, you hardly find 1 or 2 in Mail and the space is free when the train approaches Central.
The fare is 20 bucks expensive compared to Kaveri Express, I certainly would'nt mind spending for the advantages I get out of it.
