This tip is with respect to the AC CC of Steel Express. The compartment in which I travelled in is C2.
Cleanliness: The train is one of the cleanest I have travelled in. While many trains get dirty on route, Steel maintains its cleanliness particularly due to the prompt action of the staff. Between KGP and HWH, the train was cleaned many times and also one staff did a thorough check of the compartment to see if there was any discarded food packets or bottles many times while carrying a small dustbin. The promptness in the staff is applaudable.
Food:...
more... There will be no shortage of food in your journey. IRCTC staff sell burgers, cutlets, sandwiches, cakes, biscuits, chips, water bottles, bread omlette throughout the journey. However during my journey, the chicken cutlet was missing so I was unable to try it. Overcharging is not done in this train and so, you do not need to worry.
Tickets: Surprisingly, I found the CC C2 literally empty. I was able to take all three chairs and get a good sleep. However, the non AC compartments were full. However from what I hear, the train runs full before any major festival.
Punchuality: Punchuality is not an issue. It mostly arrives at Howrah 15 mins delayed due to signal issues at Howrah outer. In intermediate stations, it has high chances of arriving before time.
Also, the staff do not ask for tip in this train so you can rest easy.