Breakfast Before Departure
One thing that instantly surprised me was the timing. The train hadn't even departed from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), yet the pantry staff had already begun serving breakfast.
Since this journey was all about experiencing the legendary pantry service, I decided not to hold back and ordered almost everything available on the breakfast menu.
- Samosa
- Upma
- Sheera
- Vada Pav
- Bread Omelette
- Bread Cutlet
Every single item arrived fresh, hot and surprisingly delicious. There honestly wasn't a weak dish on the tray. The quality exceeded every expectation I had from railway catering.
🍽 Food Highlight
Starting breakfast before the train even departed CSMT was something I had never experienced before. Every item tasted freshly prepared, setting the tone for what would become an unforgettable culinary journey.
As we enjoyed breakfast, Mandovi Express smoothly departed Mumbai, passing through the busy suburban railway network. Watching endless Mumbai local trains while occasionally running parallel with the 11029 Koyna Express made for the perfect beginning to the trip.
Into the Heart of the Konkan
After catching a short nap, I woke up just as the train entered one of India's most spectacular railway routes—the Konkan Railway.
Soon we were looped for a crossing with the Netravati Express. Not long afterwards, a heavily loaded BOXN freight train hauled by twin WDG4 locomotives rumbled past, creating an unforgettable railfan moment against the lush green landscape.
Although I had hoped for a cloudy monsoon day, the weather remained bright and sunny. Even then, the Konkan Railway never disappoints. Its endless tunnels, rivers, forests and rolling hills make every kilometre worth watching.
🚆 Railfan Highlight
Freight trains on the Konkan Railway are always spectacular, and seeing twin WDG4 locomotives hauling a long BOXN rake through the Western Ghats was one of the day's highlights.
The Legendary Lunch
If breakfast had impressed me, lunch completely exceeded every expectation.
Once again, curiosity took over and I ordered almost every non-vegetarian item available on the menu.
- Chicken Fried Rice
- Chilli Chicken Gravy
- Chicken Lollipop
- Butter Chicken
- Roti
- Curd
- Gulab Jamun
Every dish arrived freshly prepared, well-portioned and bursting with flavour. None of us expected railway food to taste this good.
This wasn't simply good train food.
It was genuinely excellent food.
Freshly prepared lunch onboard 10103 Mandovi Express — the highlight of the famous pantry service.
👑 Why It's Called the Food Queen
After tasting both breakfast and lunch, I completely understood why Mandovi Express has earned its legendary title as the Food Queen of Indian Railways. The variety, freshness and taste were genuinely outstanding.
By this point, the pantry experience alone had made the journey memorable. The train had successfully lived up to the reputation that had kept it on my railway bucket list for years.
Delays, Railfanning & Unexpected Surprises
Despite running nearly four hours behind schedule, the journey never felt boring. Every delay seemed to bring another interesting train crossing or locomotive sighting.
At Chiplun, I spotted a Barauni (BJUgit ) WAG-9 standing with a BCNA freight rake. Being from the East Central Railway zone, it was an unexpected yet pleasant sight to see a familiar locomotive working in Konkan territory.
Soon afterwards, Mandovi Express was looped for the ERS–LTT Duronto Express, one of the highlights of the entire journey.
🚆 Railfan Highlight
The First AC coach of the Duronto Express carried the beautiful Madhubani artwork livery. What made the sight even more special was knowing that these coaches had previously served on the prestigious Patna Rajdhani Express. Watching my favourite train's former coaches race through the Konkan was an unexpectedly nostalgic moment.
Although Mandovi Express continued losing time, the endless crossings and scenic surroundings ensured there was never a dull moment throughout the afternoon.
The Unique Ukshi Station
One station I had been eagerly waiting for was Ukshi, a place that has fascinated railway enthusiasts for years.
Although our train skipped the halt while crossing the Madgaon–LTT Express, simply passing through the station was enough to appreciate its unique setting.
Hidden deep inside the forests of Ratnagiri district, Ukshi is widely regarded as one of the most isolated railway stations in India. There is virtually no nearby settlement, and road access is extremely limited.
The station primarily serves operational purposes such as train crossings and line management, giving it an almost mysterious feeling amidst the dense greenery of the Western Ghats.
🌿 Did You Know?
Ukshi is one of the least accessible stations on the Konkan Railway. Its remote location and surrounding forests make it a favourite among railway enthusiasts and photographers.
Through the Mighty Karbude Tunnel
Shortly after leaving Ukshi behind, Mandovi Express entered one of the engineering marvels of the Konkan Railway—the famous Karbude Tunnel.
Stretching for approximately 6.5 kilometres, it is the longest tunnel on the Konkan Railway and one of the longest operational railway tunnels in India.
Constructing the tunnel through the rugged Western Ghats required overcoming unstable terrain, heavy rainfall and challenging geological conditions, making it one of the biggest engineering achievements of the Konkan Railway project.
Even today, passing through the seemingly endless darkness of Karbude Tunnel remains one of the defining experiences of travelling along this iconic railway line.
🌉 Engineering Highlight
The Karbude Tunnel showcases the extraordinary engineering that made the Konkan Railway possible. Without tunnels like this, connecting Mumbai and Goa through the Western Ghats would have been impossible.
Soon after emerging from the tunnel, we crossed the Madgaon–CSMT Jan Shatabdi Express, adding yet another memorable train crossing to an already eventful day.
Sunset at Ratnagiri
By the time Mandovi Express reached Ratnagiri, the sun had begun setting over the Konkan.
Brilliant shades of orange and purple painted the evening sky, creating one of the most beautiful moments of the entire journey. The station, surrounding hills and the glowing coaches looked magical under the fading sunlight.
After departing Ratnagiri, the train crossed the iconic Panval Nadi Viaduct. Unfortunately, darkness had already fallen, allowing only brief glimpses of one of India's tallest railway viaducts.
📸 Favourite Moment
The golden sunset at Ratnagiri perfectly captured the beauty of the Konkan Railway. Even after hours of delays, moments like these made the journey truly unforgettable.
Evening Snacks & Dinner
As darkness slowly covered the Konkan Railway, the pantry staff returned with evening refreshments. Hot soup was served along with crispy pakodas and chutney, providing the perfect snack after an eventful afternoon of railfanning.
I honestly don't remember the exact name of the snack, but I clearly remember how delicious it tasted. Even after enjoying such a lavish breakfast and lunch, the pantry service continued to impress.
Later in the evening, we crossed the Konkan Kanya Express while waiting in a loop before continuing our journey towards Goa.
🌙 Evening Onboard
Despite the train running several hours behind schedule, the friendly pantry staff and freshly prepared snacks ensured the journey remained enjoyable throughout the evening.
By dinner time, most of the popular dishes had already sold out. Since we had taken a nap earlier, we had unknowingly missed the main dinner service.
Only the Vegetable Biryani remained available. Although the choices were limited, the meal was still satisfying and a pleasant way to end an unforgettable day onboard.
Arrival at Madgaon
Thanks to the generous slack built into the timetable, Mandovi Express gradually recovered some of its lost time during the final stretch.
Instead of arriving four hours late, the train eventually rolled into Madgaon Junction at around midnight, finishing the journey roughly two hours behind schedule.
After waiting for years to experience this famous train, finally stepping onto the platform at Madgaon felt incredibly satisfying.
Delays no longer mattered. The spectacular Konkan scenery, memorable train crossings, and above all, the legendary pantry experience had made this one of the finest railway journeys I have ever taken.
Final Thoughts
Mandovi Express isn't famous because it is India's fastest train or because it covers the longest distance. It has earned its reputation through consistency.
The combination of freshly prepared food, beautiful Konkan scenery, friendly onboard staff, and countless railfan moments creates an experience that is genuinely unique on Indian Railways.
After finally travelling on the train myself, I can confidently say that the title "Food Queen of Indian Railways" is completely justified.
If you're a railway enthusiast who enjoys both trains and good food, this is one journey that deserves a place on your bucket list.