I took a ride on this train from Kanpur to Lucknow last week. This train had already arrived at the station when I went to get my ticket. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the local ticket was only ₹20. I had trouble finding the train because it wasn't listed on any information system, although I finally got hold of it. It was generally full, but I was able to snag a window berth in one of the coaches near the engine.

It started with a delay from CNB, and that's when my co-passenger knew things would be hectic. If this train reaches LKO on time by 11:30 am, then all is good; otherwise, it is subject to many overtakes. And that is what happened.

At Unnao, the late-running Farakka Express stopped on the adjacent platform and overtook us. We were stopped at Sonik next where a rather full JHS-LKO ICE overtook us. Further grinding awaited us as we were stopped at Ajgain, where the Agra ICE, AYC VB, and LJN Shatabdi overtook us back to back. Our train never touched maximum speed during the whole journey; it was driven at a rather sedate pace. We had started from CNB at 09:50 am and reached LKO nearly 4 hours later.

This is typical for this train. If it doesn't reach LKO on time and escape overtakes, it is overtaken by at least 4 trains back to back.