Sikkim Mahananda Express

Sikkim Mahananda Express
Overview
Service typeMail/Express
LocaleWest Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh & Delhi
First service5 May 1989; 35 years ago (1989-05-05)
Current operator(s)Northeast Frontier Railway
Route
TerminiAlipurduar (APDJ)
Old Delhi (DLI)
Stops52
Distance travelled1,666 km (1,035 mi)
Average journey time35 hrs 15 mins
Service frequencyDaily
Train number(s)15483 / 15484
On-board services
Class(es)AC first, AC 2 tier, AC 3 tier, Sleeper class, General Unreserved
Seating arrangementsYes
Sleeping arrangementsYes
Catering facilitiesAvailable
Observation facilitiesLarge windows
Baggage facilitiesAvailable
Technical
Rolling stockLHB coach
Track gauge1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
broad gauge
Operating speed47 km/h (29 mph)
Route map

The 15483 / 15484 Sikkim Mahananda Express is an Indian Express train connecting the cities of Old Delhi and Alipurduar. This is a direct train origination from Old Delhi to Alipurduar Junction. The train connects the Eastern and Northern regions, as well as parts of India in the Bihar & Uttar Pradesh areas.

The name of the train is derived from the Mahananda River, which runs through North Bengal, Eastern Bihar and Bangladesh.[1]

As the entire route is not electrified, the train runs with both an electric and diesel locomotive. Usually the train gets a WDP-4/WDP-4B from the Siliguri Diesel Loco Shed for the non-electrified territory and a WAP-4 electric locomotive in the electrified section.

History

The train when introduced used to run from Katihar Junction to Delhi as train number(s) 983/984. This train was later extended to New Jalpaiguri with train number(s) 4083/4084. Finally the train was extended to Alipurduar Junction.[2]

Route and halts

The important stops of this train are;

  1. Delhi Junction
  2. Delhi Shahdara Junction
  3. Ghaziabad Junction
  4. Aligarh Junction
  5. Tundla Junction
  6. Firozabad
  7. Etawah Junction
  8. Kanpur Central
  9. Prayagraj Junction
  10. Vindhyachal
  11. Mirzapur
  12. Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction
  13. Buxar
  14. Ara Junction
  15. Danapur
  16. Patna Junction
  17. Bakhtiyarpur Junction
  18. Mokama
  19. New Barauni Junction
  20. Begusarai
  21. Khagaria Junction
  22. Narayanpur Anant
  23. Thana Bihpur Junction
  24. Naugachia
  25. Katihar Junction
  26. Barsoi Junction
  27. Kishanganj
  28. Aluabari Road Junction
  29. Bagdogra
  30. Siliguri Junction
  31. New Mal Junction
  32. Binnaguri Junction
  33. Dalgaon
  34. Hasimara
  35. Alipurduar Junction

Traction

Both trains are hauled by a Ghaziabad Loco Shed-based WAP-7 electric locomotive from Old Delhi to Alipurduar Junction and vice versa.

Trivia

In a rare occurrence Sikkim Mahananda Express crosses the Mahananda River five times. The train is named after this river.

Train schedule

Train No.15484 leaves Delhi (DLI) at 07:35 AM and reach to the destined stop Alipurduar Junction (APDJ) at 08:20 PM on day after another. Train No.15483 leaves Alipurduar Junction (APDJ) at 10:30 AM and reach to the destined stop Delhi (DLI) at 09:45 PM on day after another. During the journey of approximately 38 hours the train goes via 56 stations before reaching its destination.[3]

Accommodations

This train comprises 1 first AC [2-Tiers+3-Tiers], 10 AC 3-Tiers, 4 Sleeper class, 2Unreserved General Compartment, 1 Pantry car & 1 Luggage/Parcel and engine generator car is provided with the Guards' cabin. Total coach composition is 24.

Incidents

  • "Goons test guns on train kill Chief Ticket Inspector in Ghaziabad". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 29 June 2013. Retrieved 1 December 2012.
  • "Crowd torches Mahananda Express in Hathras". Indian Express. October 2009. Retrieved 1 October 2009.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Mahananda River". Britannica. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  2. ^ "Old Train Number". IRFCA. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  3. ^ "Mahananda Express/15483 Live Train Running Status".