Howrah Rajdhani Express

Howrah - New Delhi Rajdhani Express
Overview
Service type Rajdhani Express
Status Operating
Locale West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh & Delhi
First service 03 March 1969
Current operator(s) Eastern Railways
Route
Start Howrah Junction (HWH)
End New Delhi (NDLS)
Distance travelled 1451 km
Average journey time 16 hrs 55 mins(for 12302) , 17 hrs(for 12301)
Service frequency Daily
Train number(s) 12301/12302; 12305/12306
On-board services
Class(es) AC 1st Class, AC 2 Tier, AC 3 Tier
Seating arrangements No
Sleeping arrangements Available
Auto-rack arrangements No
Catering facilities Available (included in the ticket)
Observation facilities Large Windows
Baggage facilities Available
Technical
Track gauge 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Operating speed 140 km/h (87 mph) maximum
88 km/h (55 mph), excluding halts
Route map

Howrah Rajdhani is the first fully air-conditioned train, as well as the first Rajdhani train. Arguably the highest ranked train of the Indian Railways based on priority, it is affectionately known among rail-fans as "The King". It is the most senior of all the Rajdhanis . At any given time the Howrah Rajdhani always gets the highest priority, on any line, over any train.It is also the first train in India which provide free wi-fi access.

The Howrah Rajdhani Express left New Delhi station for Howrah station, on 3 March 1969, to cover a distance of 1,445 km in 17 hours 20 mins. At that time, it only had an AC Chair Car seating. Also, it reduced the travel time from Delhi to West Bengal from 24 hours to 17 hours. The train is the 5th fastest in India. It is regularly hauled by a WAP 7 locomotive of Howrah and Ghaziabad . Sometimes as an off link it is hauled by WAP 4 locomotive of Howrah.

History

The Rajdhani Express was introduced on 3 March 1969 to provide high-speed connections of up to 145 km/h (87 mi/h) (speed varied depending upon the particular track section) from New Delhi, the national capital, to different state capitals. In a few cases, the Rajdhani also ran to other important locations in the state.

Based the popularity of the Howrah Rajdhani, the Sealdah Rajdhani Express was made functional. Sealdah is another railway station in Kolkata.

12302 Howrah Rajdhani Express - AC First Class
12302 Howrah Rajdhani Express at Howrah Junction
12302 Howrah Rajdhani Express - AC 2 tier
12302 Howrah Rajdhani Express - AC 3 tier

Accommodations

Interior of a First Class AC bedroom

The trains have high priority on the Indian railway network and are fully air-conditioned. Passengers are provided with complimentary meals during the journey. Depending on the timing of the train, lunch, high tea, dinner, morning tea or breakfast are served. The trains offer three classes of accommodation: First Class AC with 2 or 4 berth lockable bedrooms, Second Class AC 2-tier with open system berths (bays of 4 berths + 2 berths on the side) but provided with curtains for privacy & reading lamps, Second Class AC 3-tier (bays of 6 berths + 2 berths on the side) with privacy curtains in some newer coaches. Interestingly, this Rajdhani boasts of the maximum number of AC 2-Tier coaches among any other train of Indian Railways, with 5 AC 2-tier coaches. Generally it has 2 First AC, 5 AC 2-Tiers, up to 10 AC 3-Tiers ( both of which may be increased according to demand), 2 AC Hot Buffet Cars (i.e. Pantry Cars) & 2 Luggage/Parcel cum Generator cum Brake van one of which is provided with the Guards' cabin.

Destinations

The train is an important link between Kolkata and New Delhi. It runs near some of the most holy sites in India, including Allahabad, Gaya, and Parasnath. It also connects the financial capital of Uttar Pradesh, Kanpur, to Delhi and Kolkata.

The train follows two routes. The train runs the first route, Grand Chord via Gaya, from Monday through Saturday (from Howrah), and the second route, Howrah-Delhi main line via Patna, on Friday.

First route

The major stops on the first route are:

On this route, the train covers a distance of 1,451 km in 17 hr.

Second route

The major stops on the second route are:

On this route, the train covers a distance of 1,530 km in 19 hr and 35 min.

Trivia

See also

References

External links