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Mumbai to Pune in Vistadome Coach: My experience with likes & dislikes

6th March 2024, 18:15 by Utkarsh Chaudhary

Vande Bharat Express was also running on this route but I chose this coach in Pragati Express as I wanted to try something more unique.

BHPian vigsom recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Introduction

Some rides happen by chance and this is an account of my chance ride from Mumbai to Pune the Vistadome way!

Background

I had to make two official back-to-back trips - one to GJ and another to MH and decided that instead of doing flights back and forth to my current base in the south, I'd rather spend the weekend in Surat and continue my next leg to Pune from there. The plan was cast - travel August Kranti Tejas Rajdhani Exp to Mumbai, transit from Mumbai Central to Mumbai CST, and take another train from there to Pune. When I was examining evening options from CST to Pune, Vande Bharat Exp was there, but when I was looking to try something more unique, pop came the options of Vistadome on Pragati Express and the Deccan Queen. I chose Pragati Exp for multiple reasons:

Earlier departure than the Deccan Queen
Opportunity to try the Vistadome coach
Opportunity to explore a new route (Panvel to Karjat)

Ride#1 - Surat to Mumbai Central by August Kranti Tejas Rajdhani Express

I've travelled by this train umpteen times from when it was introduced as Air-Conditioned Express (in the early 90s) but got to experience First AC on the Tejas coaches for the first time.

What has changed

Nice looking comforter in a neat-looking bag
Neat carpet
Excellent washrooms
Complete coach cleaned before arrival at the destination
Carpet covered with a vinyl cover to prevent it from getting soiled

What hasn't changed

The good old foldable table used by caterers to serve beverages and meals
The design of the berths is no different from First AC on other trains
Coach was freezing cold - a common problem with all Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) coaches

View of the First AC cabin - nothing different

Comforter put away in a zipper bag - quite neat

Clean carpet

Black Coffee on board

Cornflakes (milk on the way)

Followed by Upma neatly served

Crossing Vaitarna station before entering Virar

Ride#2 - Mumbai CST to Pune by Pragati Express

I'd reached the platform quite early, and so had to cool off for over an hour before the coach was opened. Before other folks could come in, I took a quick tour of the coach. The coach EV1 is at the fag end of the train on the CST - Pune sector. It makes little sense to take this coach on the Pune - CST sector as the loco would block views from the viewing gallery.

What I liked about the Vistadome coach

Beautifully upholstered seats
Transparent panels on the roof
Luggage rack just outside the coach on one end - no overhead bins as in other coaches
Wide viewing gallery at the rear end makes one feel as if one's riding in an AC caboose

What I disliked

Washrooms (available only at one end of the coach) poorly kept
Roof glass panels were all dirty - unobstructed view of the sky overhead was lacking
Some passengers placed their feet on the panel in front; poor decorum

Small yet significant observations

One can't take pictures from the Viewing Gallery in low outside light - the reflection overpowers the camera
Best views from the Vistadome coach Viewing Gallery are enjoyed when the coach is at the rear of the train and when the outside light is good