Howrah–Vasco da Gama Amaravati Express

Not to be confused with Amaravati Express.

Shalimar–Vasco da Gama Amaravati Express
Overview
Service typeExpress
First service9 December 2006; 17 years ago (2006-12-09)
Current operator(s)South Eastern Railway zone
Route
TerminiShalimar railway station (shm)
Vasco da Gama (VSG)
Stops43
Distance travelled2,121 km (1,318 mi)
Average journey time40h 15m
Service frequencyFour days [a]
Train number(s)18047/18048
On-board services
Class(es)AC 2 tier, AC 3 tier, Sleeper Class, General Unreserved
Seating arrangementsNo
Sleeping arrangementsYes
Catering facilitiesOn-board catering
E-catering
Observation facilitiesICF coach
Entertainment facilitiesNo
Baggage facilitiesNo
Other facilitiesBelow the seats
Technical
Rolling stock2
Track gauge1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Operating speed54 km/h (34 mph), including halts

The Shalimar–Vasco da Gama Amaravati Express is an Express train belonging to South Eastern Railway zone that runs between Shalimar railway station and Vasco da Gama in India. It is currently being operated with 18047/18048 train numbers on four days in week basis.[1][2][3]

Introduction

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The train is named after the famous capital city of Satavahana dynasty, Amaravati which stands in present-day Guntur district.

It is the only train connecting the states of West Bengal and Goa directly and between Kolkata and Goa.The train is highly preferred by tourists and nature lovers, because it runs through the coastal Goa, the Deccan Plateau, coastal Andhra and Orissa and the spectacular Braganza Ghats of Western Ghats, where it meets the world-famous Dudhsagar Falls.

The 18047/Amaravati Express has an average speed of 53 km/h and covers 2121 km in 40h 15m. The 18048/Amaravati Express has an average speed of 54 km/h and covers 2121 km in 39h 30m.

Timings

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The 18047/Amaravati Express departs from Shalimar railway station at 23:30 IST (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday) and arrives Vasco da Gama at 15:45 IST (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday). The 18048/Amaravati Express departs from Vasco da Gama at 7:10 IST (Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday) and arrives Shalimar railway station at 22:40 IST (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday).

Halts

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The important halts of the train are:

WEST BENGAL

  1. Shalimar railway station
  2. Kharagpur Junction

ODISHA

  1. Balasore
  2. Bhadrak
  3. Jajpur Keonjhar Road
  4. Cuttack Junction
  5. Bhubaneswar
  6. Khurda Road Junction
  7. Brahmapur

ANDHRA PRADESH

  1. Palasa
  2. Srikakulam Road
  3. Vizianagaram Junction
  4. Visakhapatnam Junction
  5. Duvvada
  6. Samalkot Junction
  7. Rajahmundry
  8. Tadepalligudem
  9. Eluru
  10. Vijayawada Junction
  11. Guntur Junction
  12. Narasaraopet
  13. Vinukonda
  14. Donakonda
  15. Markapur Road
  16. Cumbum
  17. Giddalur
  18. Nandyal
  19. Bethamcherla
  20. Dhone Junction
  21. Maddikera
  22. Guntakal Junction

KARNATAKA

  1. Ballari Junction
  2. Toranagallu
  3. Hosapete Junction
  4. Koppal
  5. Gadag Junction
  6. Hubli Junction
  7. Dharwad
  8. Londa Junction
  9. Castle Rock

GOA

  1. Kulem
  2. Sanvordem
  3. Madgaon Junction
  4. Vasco da Gama

Available classes

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The train has standard ICF rakes with a maximum speed of 110 km/h. The train consists of 20 coaches:

  • 1 AC II Tier
  • 3 AC III Tier
  • 9 Sleeper coaches
  • 3 General Unreserved
  • 2 Seating cum Luggage Rake
  • 1 High-Capacity Parcel Van
  • 1 Refrigerator car

At Guntakal, 4 coaches of Prashanti Nilayam Express are attached/detached as slip coaches. It consists of:

  • 1 AC II Tier
  • 1 AC III Tier
  • 1 Sleeper class
  • 1 Seating cum Luggage Rake

Coach composition

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Howrah–Guntakal–Howrah:

Loco 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
REF HCP SLR GEN S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 B1 B2 B3 A1 GEN GEN SLR

Guntakal–Vasco da Gama–Guntakal:

Loco 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
REF HCP SLR GEN S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 B1 B2 B3 A1 AV1 BV1 SV1 SLR

Traction

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The train is hauled by a Santragachi-based WAP-4 electric locomotive from Howrah to Visakhapatnam Junction. From Visakhapatnam Junction, it is hauled by Vijayawada-based WAP-4 electric locomotive up to Guntakal Junction. From Guntakal Junction, train is hauled by Gooty-based WDM-3A twin/WDG-3A twin diesel locomotive up to Vasco da Gama and vice versa.

For the Braganza Ghats, the 1:37 gradient requires the use of Bank engine on the way to Kulem to Castle Rock. The 18048/Amaravati Express gets Hubli-based WDG-4s as bankers.

Direction reversal

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Train reverses its direction 1 time:

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Runs four days in a week for every direction.

References

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  1. ^ "Trains Rescheduled/Partially Cancelled due to Traffic Block". South Central Railway.
  2. ^ "SE Railway Trains Rescheduled". South Eastern Railway.
  3. ^ Pradesh, Andhra (7 June 2016). "Upgrade Bhubaneswar Inter-City express". The Hindu.
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