Parabat Express

Parabat Express made its 1st inaugural run on 19 March 1986 with allocated train no. 709 (up)/710 (down). It was introduced as inter-city train which offers luxurious and fast service. The train starts from Dhaka Railway Station since its inauguration. Parabat express gets the priority on Bangladesh Railway network. It has fewer stops than other Dhaka-Sylhet express trains and halts only at prominent stations.

(The timetable of Bangladesh Railway is changed over the time. It is requested to visit the official website of Bangladesh Railway to check the latest timetable. The timetable below is according to the 52nd timetable of Bangladesh Railway that was effective from 10 January 2020)

• Dhaka Airport railway station
• Bhairab Bazar Junction
• Brahmanbaria
• Azampur
• Nowapara (Habiganj District)
• Shaistaganj Junction
• Sreemangal
• Bhanugach
• Kulaura Junction
• Maizgaon

Parabat Express usually is hauled by a Class 2900 locomotive of Bangladesh Railway. However, sometimes because of rolling stock crisis it is hauled by a Class 2600 locomotive. The train needs an air-braked locomotive which is mandatory.

The train currently runs with 16 PT Inka (Industri Kereta Api) made air-brake coaches. This coaches were introduced to the service on 2 September 2016.[1] The train has eight chair car, two ac chair car, two non ac chair car, two guard brake with attached dining, one non ac cabin and one generator car. Prior to introducing Inka coaches, the train ran with old vacuum brake coaches. However, the train used to run with Iranian air-brake coaches in between 1998 and 2011. Later, due to maintenance problem, Iranian airbrake coaches were replaced with vacuum coaches in 2011.[2]

People usually travel Parabat Express for its punctual and fast service. The train has more AC carriages than any other Dhaka-Sylhet express trains. This attracts passengers who prefer luxurious travel experience. Furthermore, travelling by express allows its passenger to view scenic beauty of Sylhet division. One can enjoy trackside beautiful hills, tea gardens and rural lifestyle while travelling by Parabat Express.[3]

• 07/10/2016: Locomotive no. 2933, which was one of the newest locomotives of class 2900, caught fire and derailed with several coaches of Parabat Express near Noapara railway station in Noyapara Upazila, Habiganj District. The driver cab and electrical cabinet of the locomotive were destroyed in the fire, and the locomotive had to undergo heavy repairs. No casualties happened.[4]

Media related to Parabat Express at Wikimedia Commons