Firstly can a train which covers a distance of just about 1200 kms in 25 hours at an average speed of 50 kmph be termed as an express train? Indian Railways would answer this question with a YES, but any unfortunate traveller would readily disagree with this. This train connects two of the main cities of the country and yet can just canter at just 50 kmph! Travelling by this train is like watching a indian movie made in the preindependence era - just when the movie starts moving, its pace would be halted by a song, similarly when the train picks up some speed it has to stop at a station.
However it is still the best train plying from Mumbai towards the southern direction. When compared to the other trains plying in this route which take 27 and 30 hours per trip, the 24 hours taken by this train is appreciable.
The train does have its own strengths. This train is rarely delayed, has a good pantry car, good quality coaches adn best of all GOOD TOILETS.
A question which has to be answered by the Indian
Railways - ’What is the name of this train?’. In chennai it is referred to as the Dadar Express and in Mumbai it is called as the Chennai Express.
Given an option I would never travel by this train, but the TINA factor(There Is No Alternative) would make this train the best train in this route. Probably if the next railway minister hails from either Mumbai or Chennai, this train can become an EXPRESS. Till then travelling between Mumbai and Chennai will have to be done in slow motion,