With CSMT Express getting LHB rake from March 2, two premium Mumbai services offer enhanced travel experience

Now, two premium services offer enhanced travel experience to passengers heading to Mumbai

With Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CSMT)-Mangaluru Junction Superfast Express (Train No. 12133/134) getting Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) coaches with effect from March 1 from Mumbai and March 2 from Mangaluru Junction, both the premium trains between Mangaluru-Mumbai offer enhanced travel experience.

The Mangaluru Central-Mumbai Lokamanya Tilak Terminus Matsyagandha Express (Train No. 12620/619) got LHB coaches on February 17 from Mangaluru, and February 18 from Mumbai. As Matsyagandha has rake sharing arrangement with Train No. 16347/ 348 Thiruvananthapuram Central-Mangaluru Central Express, these services too got LHB coaches from February 16 and 19, respectively.

The erstwhile ICF rake of CSMT Express had 17 coaches in all — one 2-tier-cum-3-tier AC, one 2-tier AC, four 3-tier AC, seven sleeper class and two general second class and two luggage-cum-brake van coaches.

With the LHB coaches, the composition was revised to 16 coaches — two 2-tier AC, three 3-tier AC, five sleeper class, four general second class, one generator car, and one luggage-cum-brake van.

Earlier, Matsyagandha Express had 23 ICF coaches — two 2-tier AC, four 3-tier AC, 11 second class sleeper, four general second class and two luggage-cum-brake van coaches.

After conversion of the rake into LHB, the train came to have two 2-tier AC, four 3-tier AC, two 3-tier AC Economy, eight second class sleeper, four general second class, one luggage-cum-brake van and one generator car coache, in all 22.

The CSMT Express was originally introduced between CSMT and Karwar in 2009, and was later extended to Mangaluru Junction by then Minister of State for Railways K. H. Muniyappa in 2010. Since then, the service had been running with ICF rakes.