Sikkim Mahananda Express

Sikkim Mahananda Express
Overview
Service typeExpress
LocaleWest Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh & Delhi
First service5 May 1989 (1989-05-05)
Current operatorNortheast 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 number15483 / 15484
On-board services
ClassesAC First Class, AC 2 Tier, AC 3 Tier, Sleeper Class, General Unreserved
Seating arrangementsYes
Sleeping arrangementsYes
Catering facilitiesAvailable
Observation facilitiesLarge windows
Baggage facilitiesAvailable
Other facilitiesBelow the seats
Technical
Rolling stockLHB coach
Track gauge1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
broad gauge
Operating speed47 km/h (29 mph) average including halts.
Route map

The 15483 / 15484 Sikkim Mahananda Express is an 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. Hathras Junction
  6. Tundla Junction
  7. Firozabad
  8. Etawah Junction
  9. Kanpur Central
  10. Prayagraj Junction
  11. Vindhyachal
  12. Mirzapur
  13. Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction
  14. Buxar
  15. Ara Junction
  16. Danapur
  17. Patna Junction
  18. Bakhtiyarpur Junction
  19. Mokama
  20. New Barauni Junction
  21. Begusarai
  22. Khagaria Junction
  23. Narayanpur Anant
  24. Thana Bihpur Junction
  25. Naugachia
  26. Katihar Junction
  27. Azamnagar Road
  28. Barsoi Junction
  29. Dalkhola
  30. Kishanganj
  31. Aluabari Road Junction
  32. Thakurganj
  33. Galgalia
  34. Bagdogra
  35. Siliguri Junction
  36. New Mal Junction
  37. Nagrakata
  38. Binnaguri Junction
  39. Dalgaon
  40. Hasimara
  41. 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". The Indian Express. October 2009. Retrieved 1 October 2009.

See also

References

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