Gatiman Express

Last updated

Gatiman Express
Gatimaan express at gwalior.jpg
Gatimaan Express At Gwalior Junction railway station
Overview
Service type Shatabdi Express
StatusOperational
First service5 April 2016;9 years ago (2016-04-05) (Inaugural run)
19 February 2018;7 years ago (2018-02-19) (Extended to Gwalior Junction )
1 April 2018;7 years ago (2018-04-01) (Extended to Virangana Lakshmibai Junction )
Current operator Indian Railways IRCTC
Website https://indianrailways.gov.in/
Route
Termini Hazrat Nizamuddin (NZM)
Virangana Lakshmibai Jhansi Junction (VGLJ)
Stops Agra Cantt
Gwalior Junction
Distance travelled403 km (250 mi)
Service frequency6 days a week (Except Friday)
Train number12049 [1] / 12050 [2]
On-board services
Classes AC Chair Car (CC), Executive class (EC)
Seating arrangementsYes
Sleeping arrangementsNo
Catering facilitiesYes
Observation facilitiesLarge windows
Baggage facilitiesOverhead racks
Other facilitiesSmoke Alarms
Passenger Information System
Technical
Rolling stock WAP-5 Locomotive
LHB coach
ICF Brake Van
Track gauge 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) Broad gauge
Electrification 25 kV AC at 50 Hz
Operating speedMax: 130 km/h (81 mph)
Track owner Indian Railways
Rake maintenanceIndian Railways

The 12049 / 12050 Gatiman Express is an express train run by Indian Railways. [3] It connects Hazrat Nizamuddin in Delhi and Jhansi railway stations via the Delhi-Jhansi sector, India's busiest rail line. It is a Shatabdi Category Express and currently the third-fastest train service in India, after the Namo Bharat and the Delhi-Rani Kamlapati Vande Bharat Express. [4] [5] [6]

Contents

The Gatiman Express consist is most commonly made up of a WAP-5 locomotive, 12 passenger cars, and 1-2 brake vans. The train covers the 403 km (250 mi) journey in 4 hours 25 minutes at an average speed of 91 km/h (57 mph). [7] As of 2024, the train achieves the maximum operational speed achieved by any operating train in India with a speed of 160 km/h (99 mph) on the Tughlakabad – Agra section. [8] [9] The train runs six days a week. [10]

In October 2014, Indian Railways applied for a safety certificate from the Commission of Railway Safety to start the service and the train was officially announced in June 2015. [11] The first service ran on 5 April 2016 from Hazrat Nizamuddin and Agra Cantonment. [12] [13] The train was extended from Agra to Gwalior on 19 February 2018 and then to Virangana Lakshmibai junction on 1 April 2018. [14]

Incidents

In 2016, a Dheli-bound train suffered damage to its pantograph during a thunderstorm, halting the train between Baad and Mathura Junction. [15]

In 2024, the crew violated the advisory speed limits between Jajau and Mania railway stations. [16] In June 2024, the maximum speed of the train was reduced from 160 km/h to 130 km/h until the installation of the Kavach autonomous train protection system on the route. [17] [18]

As of 2026, there have been no reported casualties onboard the train.

Reputation

The Gatiman Express has achieved internet fame for being one of the fastest trains in India. Despite its fame, the train has received negative reviews from critics, citing poor maintenance and a hostile Crew. Due to high ticket prices, very few locals use the express, as fares can be 3 to 4 times higher than that of an AC 2 Tier on a normal express/superfast.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "12049 Schedule / Time Table". railenquiry.in. Archived from the original on 17 March 2017. Retrieved 16 March 2017.
  2. ↑ "12050 Schedule / Time Table". railenquiry.in. Archived from the original on 25 May 2018. Retrieved 16 March 2017.
  3. ↑ "Train to be named Gatimaan Express". The Hindu . Archived from the original on 1 December 2014. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  4. ↑ "Delhi-Agra semi-high speed train to be named Gatimaan Express". Zee News . Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  5. ↑ "These 5 Vande Bharat Express trains run at 130 kmph speed on entire route – full list". The Indian Express . Archived from the original on 29 August 2025. Retrieved 5 January 2026.
  6. ↑ "RapidX train touches 160kmph in trial, 2nd phase ops soon". Hindustan Times . Archived from the original on 9 February 2024. Retrieved 5 January 2026.
  7. ↑ "Amendment no. 4 to the Revised speed certificate for operation of trains hauled by single WAP5 class locomotive on New Delhi-Agra Cantt.-New Delhi section" (PDF). Railway Design and Standards Organization. 16 February 2018. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  8. ↑ "Delhi To Agra In 100 Minutes: Gatimaan Express hits tracks next week". Indian Express . Archived from the original on 2 April 2016. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  9. ↑ Kumar, S. Vijay (25 June 2024). "Railways to bring down speed of select Vande Bharat, Gatiman Express trains". The Hindu . Retrieved 4 September 2024. he speed of Gatiman and Vande Bharat Express trains would be reduced from 160 kmph to 130 kmph
  10. ↑ "Gatimaan Express: India launches 'fastest train' at 160km/h". BBC News . 5 April 2016. Gatimaan Express will run six days a week, except on Fridays, the railway ministry said in a statement.
  11. ↑ "Delhi-Agra semi-high speed train to be named Gatimaan Express". India Today . Archived from the original on 20 November 2014. Retrieved 5 April 2015.
  12. ↑ "Gatimaan Express, India's Fastest Train, To Debut On Tuesday". NDTV . Archived from the original on 2 April 2016. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  13. ↑ "Gatimaan Express reaches Agra within targeted 100 minutes". India Today . 5 April 2016. Archived from the original on 1 February 2017. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  14. ↑ Duttagupta, Samonway (5 April 2018). "Madhya Pradesh-bound Gatimaan Express train extended till Jhansi". The Times of India . Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  15. ↑ "Gatiman Express Halted As Pantograph Breaks Due To Thunderstorm". NDTV . Archived from the original on 8 September 2019. Retrieved 5 January 2026.
  16. ↑ "Railway Board sets up committee, holds meeting to ascertain why drivers violate speed restrictions". The Indian Express . 16 June 2024. In the first incident, the loco pilot and assistant loco pilot of the Gatiman Express, India's first semi-high-speed train which runs at 160 kmph speed between Hazrat Nizamuddin in Delhi and Virangana Lakshmibai Jhansi Junction in Uttar Pradesh, violated the advisory speed
  17. ↑ "Indian Railways reduces speed of Vande Bharat and Gatiman Express trains to 130 kmph - ET Infra". ETInfra.com. Economic Times. Retrieved 4 September 2024. Gatimaan Express and Vande Bharat, two semi-high speed trains
  18. ↑ "Why Has Indian Railways Decided To Reduce Speed Of Vande Bharat And Gatiman Express -- Explained". Zee News . Retrieved 4 September 2024. The speed of these trains will now reduced from the current 160 kmph to 130 kmph.
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