Double Decker Express | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Service type | Superfast |
System | 7 (AC) + 1 (Non-AC) |
Status | Operational on 8 routes |
Locale | Uttar Pradesh, New Delhi, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan |
First service | 24 August 2012 |
Successor | Uday Express |
Current operator(s) | Indian Railways |
Website | https://indianrail.gov.in |
Route | |
Line(s) used | 8 |
On-board services | |
Class(es) | AC Chair Car coaches |
Seating arrangements | Yes |
Sleeping arrangements | No |
Catering facilities | On-board Catering and E-Catering |
Observation facilities | Large windows in all carriages, Services operated by both state and corporate operators. |
Entertainment facilities | Electric outlets |
Baggage facilities | Overhead racks |
Other facilities | Bio-vacuum toilets Fire & Smoke detection and many more |
Technical | |
Rolling stock | LHB Double Decker |
Track gauge | 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) broad gauge |
Electrification | 25 kV AC at 50 Hz |
Operating speed | 130 km/h (81 mph) |
Double Decker Express are a series of trains started by Indian Railways for shorter routes in order to serve more people than a traditional chair car carriage.
The Howrah–Dhanbad Double Decker Express was the first of its type to be introduced.
Double Decker Express are composed of bi-level seating arrangements for passengers with seating capacity of 120 seats, [1] divided into lower deck, upper deck and mezzanine seating area. Stainless steel LHB Coaches built at Kapurthala Coach Factory are utilized for AC Double Decker trains.
Train no. | Route | Distance |
---|---|---|
12931/12932 | Mumbai Central–Ahmedabad Double Decker Express | 491 km |
22625/22626 | Chennai–Bangalore Double Decker Express | 359 km |
12583/12584 | Lucknow Junction–Anand Vihar Terminal Double Decker Express | 479 km |
12985/12986 | Jaipur–Delhi Sarai Rohilla AC Double Decker Express | 304 km |
22707/22708 | Visakhapatnam–Tirupati Double Decker Express | 761 km |
In 2018, a new generation of Double Decker Express trains were introduced in Indian Railways named as UDAY Express - Utkrisht Double Decker Air Conditioned Yatri Express trains, designed by RDSO. The coaches of these trains have an anti-graffiti vinyl wrapped exterior and have been given a bright color scheme of yellow, orange and pink - somewhat similar to that of the Tejas Express. The UDAY express was envisioned as a premium train service for business travelers. According to Indian Railways, Uday Express will cater to the "busiest routes" and increase carrying capacity by 40%. These trains have airline styled seating with a capacity of 120 passengers per coach (50 for upper deck, 48 for lower deck and 22 on the ends) as compared to Shatabdis which can seat up to 78. [2] [3] [4] These coaches are also equipped with WiFi infotainment system, have information screens just like Humsafar Express and have small dining area in coaches. Uday Express can run at a maximum speed of 110 km/h and an average speed of 62 km/h.[ citation needed ]
The first service was launched on 10 June 2018 between Coimbatore Junction and Bangalore [5] having halts at Krishnarajapuram, Kuppam, Salem Jn, Erode Jn, Tiruppur Jn and Coimbatore Jn. The second service was launched on 26 September 2019 between Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada with 7 stops en route, and was later extended till Guntur.
Train no. | Train name | Distance | Frequency | Zone |
---|---|---|---|---|
22665/22666 | KSR Bengaluru–Coimbatore Uday Express | 419 km Daily | Daily | Southern Railway zone |
22701/22702 | Visakhapatnam–Guntur Uday Express | 384 km | 5 days a week except Thu, Sun | South Coast Railway zone |
Train no. | Route | Distance |
---|---|---|
11085/11086 & 11099/11100 | Lokmanya Tilak Terminus–Madgaon AC Double Decker Express | 592 km |
22185/22186 | Bhopal–Indore AC Double Decker Express | 263 km |
22117/22118 | Guntur–Kacheguda AC Double Decker Express | 287 km |
22183/22184 | Habibganj–Indore Junction AC Double Decker Express | 259 km |
12385/12386 | Howrah–Dhanbad Double Decker Express | 263 km |
22119/22110 | Kacheguda–Tirupati Double Decker Express | 636 km |
Name | Train no. | Route | Distance | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mumbai Central–Valsad Fast Passenger | 59023/59024 | Mumbai Central–Valsad | 195 km | The only train which currently gets non-AC double decker coaches in Indian Railways. [6] |
Name | Train no. | Route | Distance | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Sinhagad Express | 11009/11010 | Mumbai CSM Terminus–Pune | 192 km | First train to have double deck rake in India. [7] About ten coaches were attached but were removed eventually. |
Deccan Queen Superfast Express | 12123/12124 | Mumbai CSM Terminus–Pune | 192 km | Used to haul Double Decker bogies during 1980s but were eventually removed. [8] |
Deccan Express | 11007/11008 | Mumbai CSM Terminus–Pune | 192 km | One or two Double Decker coaches were added. This did not last for long and the coaches were removed. |
Sahyadri Express | 11023/11024 | Mumbai CSM Terminus – Kolhapur | 518 km | Hauled Double Decker coaches between Mumbai and Pune and vice versa. But today has Single Decker coaches only. |
Panchvati Express | 12109/12110 | Mumbai CSM Terminus–Manmad | 258 km | This train used to haul Non-AC Double Decker bogies in the 1990s. |
Mumbai–Pune Passenger | — | Mumbai CSM Terminus–Pune | 192 km | This train used to haul Double Decker bogies. This train has been shut down due to introduction of Mumbai CST–Sainagar Shirdi Fast Passenger / Mumbai CST–Pandharpur Fast Passenger / Mumbai CSMT–Vijapura Fast Passenger. |
Flying Ranee | 12921/12922 | Mumbai Central–Surat | 263 km | This train lost its double-decker coaches when it was upgraded to run with a new LHB rake in July 2023. [9] |
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