Sealdah–Bikaner Duronto Express
The 12259 / 12260 Sealdah - Bikaner Duronto Express is a train of the Duronto Express category belonging to Indian Railways - Eastern Railway zone that runs between Sealdah and Bikaner in India.It operates as train number 12259 from Sealdah to New Delhi and as train number 12260 in the reverse direction serving the states of West Bengal, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Haryana. It used to run as New Delhi - Sealdah Duronto Express and was the first Duronto Express to be launched as announced in the Railway budget of 2008/09. On 24 February 2020, it was extended beyond New Delhi to Bikaner, thereby becoming not only the first Duronto service to Bikaner, but also one connecting New Delhi and Bikaner.
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| Overview | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service type | Duronto Express | ||||
| First service | 18 September 2009 | ||||
| Current operator(s) | Eastern Railways | ||||
| Route | |||||
| Start | Sealdah (SDAH) | ||||
| Stops | 11 | ||||
| End | Bikaner (BKN) | ||||
| Distance travelled | 1,923 km (1,195 mi) | ||||
| Average journey time | 24 hours, 30 minutes | ||||
| Service frequency | 4 Days a week. | ||||
| Train number(s) | 12259 / 12260 | ||||
| On-board services | |||||
| Class(es) | AC 1st Class, AC 2 tier, AC 3 tier | ||||
| Seating arrangements | No | ||||
| Sleeping arrangements | Yes | ||||
| Catering facilities | Available | ||||
| Baggage facilities | Yes | ||||
| Technical | |||||
| Rolling stock | LHB Duronto | ||||
| Track gauge | 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) | ||||
| Operating speed | 130 km/h (81 mph) (Maximum Speed), 78 km/h (48 mph) (Average Speed), including halts | ||||
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Coaches
The 12259 / 60 Sealdah Bikaner Duronto Express presently has one AC First Class, four AC 2 tier, ten AC 3 tier, two End on Generator Car & one Pantry car coach.
As is customary with most train services in India, Coach Composition may be amended at the discretion of Indian Railways depending on demand.
Service
The 12259 Sealdah Bikaner Duronto Express covers the distance of 1,921 km (1,194 mi) in 24 hours 45 minutes, at an average speed of 78 km/h (48 mph)), and in 24 hours 30 minutes as 12260 Bikaner Sealdah Duronto Express, an average speed of 78 km/h (48 mph). As the average speed of the train is above 55 km/h (34 mph), as per Indian Railway rules, its fare includes a Superfast surcharge.
Routeing & Technical Halts
The 12259/12260 Sealdah - Bikaner Duronto Express runs from Sealdah via Dhanbad Junction, PT. Deen Dayal Upadhyay Junction, Kanpur Central, New Delhi, Loharu, Sadulpur, Churu, Ratangarh to Bikaner Junction. This train stops Halts also.
Traction
As the route is partly electrified, and both the two rakes of 12259/12260 Seadah - Bikaner Duronto Express is hauled by a Howrah based WAP 7 (HOG) equipped locomotive from Sealdah to New Delhi after which a Tughlakabad based WDP 4D or Bhagat Ki Kothi based WDP 4B / WDP 4D locomotive hauls the train for its reminder journey until Bikaner Junction and vice versa.
Gallery
12259 Sealdah Duronto Express - AC 2 tier
12259 Sealdah Duronto Express with its WAP 4 engine
12259 Sealdah Duronto Express - AC 3 tier
12259 Sealdah Duronto Express - EOG car
12259 Sealdah Duronto Express at Kanpur Central
References
- "DURONTO TRAIN LIST". indianrail.gov.in. Retrieved 30 May 2014.
- "Mamata flags off Sealdah-New Delhi Duronto train - Indian Express". archive.indianexpress.com. Retrieved 30 May 2014.
- "tatkal/video/irfca---sealdah-new-delhi-ac-duronto-express-behind-the-power-of-howrah-wap-7-30203/8-aEBGiLzd_361333S11". firstpost.com. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
- "Painter Mamata adds dash of colour to Duronto Express | Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis". dnaindia.com. Retrieved 30 May 2014.
