It's not because of ICF or LHB, it is because AC in 1990s was a privilege. Many trains didn't have AC and those that had only had 2-3 AC coaches apart from Rajdhanis and other premium trains. Even Rajdhani doesn't feel like Rajdhani anymore. When LHB was introduced in Mumbai Rajdhani in 2000 and Kolkata Rajdhani in 2006 it was really good but now because of crowding, deterioration of services etc. it is not so great. Since 2010 or so crowding has increased tremendously in AC coaches and almost all trains now have 50-60% AC coaches, so not special anymore.