This travel tip is based on my recent travel in UR coach of this train from Karjat to Lonavala which also was my first unreserved travel in any M/E trains.
Crowd: If you want to reach Pune in the afternoon and don't have a reserved accommodation, this is the best train. You can travel from Mumbai to Pune and even beyond while sleeping in the UR coaches. My UR coach which was the first coach behind loco and was the most densely populated UR coach with a total of 6 passengers on board.
Boarding:...
more...

As the timetable says, this train doesn't halt at Thane or Kalyan and hence you have to board at LTT or Karjat. Even after considering this, this train remains is a great option for UR travel. It trails the over-crowded Koyna Express up to Miraj and hence you can drop the option of Koyna express by taking this train and travel conveniently.
Coaches: The UR coaches are clean and very well maintained.
Railfanning: It travels through the Bhor Ghat and Shindwane Ghat sections in daylight and hence offers some awesome views. Try boarding the first coach and you would be in for a treat by the 'khatarnak' chugging of Kalyan's Shakti throughout the ghats.

This train is very nice and useful to travel.Dont worry about the seat u will be getting the reserved confirmed seat even when u r booking before 1 day of journey(excluding the vacation time holiday).Even if u r not getting confirmed ticket u can travel by general compartment as it is fully empty.I was travelling by this train on 7 Nov 2015 between LTT TO KARAD.I boarded at LTT and all the general compartments were not having so much rush.U can easily grab the window seat also.This train is usually follows the 11029 MUMBAI KOLHAPUR KOYNA EXPRESS till MIRAJ JN. Hence if want to travel to pune,satara,karad and miraj it is better to travel by this train insted of KOYNA EXPRESS if u want to avoid rush and get the sit. But this train has most of the times red signals and it is stopped for crossing purposes for so...
more...

much time.But reaches the halts at scheduled time.