Magadh Express

Magadh Express

Overview
Service type	Express
Locale	Bihar, Uttar pradesh, New Delhi
Current operator(s)	Northern Railway zone
Route
Start	Islampur (IPR)
Stops	25
End	New Delhi (NDLS)
Distance travelled	1,064 km (661 mi)
Average journey time	19 hours 35 minutes
Service frequency	Daily
On-board services
Class(es)	Ac 1st, Ac 2tier, Ac 3tier, Sleeper, General
Seating arrangements	Available
Sleeping arrangements	Available
Catering facilities	Available
Observation facilities	Large Windows
Baggage facilities	Available
Technical
Track gauge	1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Operating speed	54 km/h (34 mph) average with halts
Route map

The Magadh Express is a superfast train running between New Delhi and Islampur. Its number is 12401/12402 and it departs from Islampur at 1610 hrs and reaches New Delhi the following day at 1145 hrs. In the past, its number was 2391/2392 and was run by Eastern Railways. Now it is run as a train from Northern Railways. The train covers a distance of 1065 km. It departs from New Delhi on 2000 hrs and reaches Islampur at 1355 hrs. The journey takes 17 hours, 55 minutes as the 2402 Magadh Express from New Delhi to Islampur. It departs from Islampur at 1610 hrs and reaches New Delhi at 1145 Hrs thereby covering distance in 19 hours, 35 minutes as the 2401 from Islampur to New Delhi. Earlier a train named Sonbhadra Express used to run between Patna to New Delhi and vice versa. It was converted to Magadh Express after introduction of Vikramshila Express.

Magadh Express - trainboard

History

Previously, the train ran between Patna and New Delhi with carriages of the Vikramshila Express (which now runs separately with number 12367/12368 between New Delhi to Bhagalpur), running as far as Bhagalpur with numbers 3467/3468. This Train used to cover the distance of 998 km in only 15 hours, 5 minutes but due to an increase in stoppages and the introduction of many more superfast trains such as the Sampoorna kranti express (numbers 12393/12394) and the Vikramshila Express its importance has decreased.

Loco

WAP-4 locomotive of Kanpur Shed (CNBE) Between New Delhi (NDLS) to Patna Jn (PNBE) and WDM 3A of Mughalsarai shed(MGS) from Patna Jn to Islampur (IPR)and vice versa.

Rake Composition

2 GSLR, 1 First AC, 1 Second AC, 2 Third AC, 11 Sleeper Class 1 Pantry and 6 General Compartments for a total of 24 coaches. It was among the first trains to get 24 coach rakes in the History of Indian Railways.

Current status

After the inauguration of Anand Vihar Terminal, the train was scheduled to originate/terminate at Anand Vihar Terminal (ANVT), but the plan was abandoned due to its glorious past when it was the only premiere train in absence of 12309/12310 RJBP NDLS Rajdhani Express and Sampoorna Kranti Express and Vikramshila Express.

The train has lost its significance thanks to some petty politics of appeasements by railway ministers. Since its extension to Islampur the train is delayed regularly be it up route or down route. In earlier days before 2000, it used to be a premiere train on the Patna New Delhi Section with bang on time Schedule.

Presently, the train is regularly delayed by at least 4–5 hours daily. Due to two rakes provided for the journey, there is no sign of improvements in its schedule.

Accident

In an accident due to dense fog on 2 January 2010, the Lichchavi Express collided with the stationary Magadh Express train at the station near the city of Etawah, about 170 miles (270 kilometers) southwest of Lucknow.^[1] Ten people, including the driver of one of the trains, were injured.

References

1. Khan, Atiq; Balchand, K. (3 January 2010). "10 killed as trains collide in dense fog in U.P.". The Hindu. Retrieved 17 February 2015.

External links

• Magadh Express Route Map