Subarna Express

Subarna Express (train no. 701/702) is non-stop intercity train of Bangladesh operated by Bangladesh Railway. It runs between Chittagong railway station of Chittagong and Kamalapur railway station of Dhaka.

Subarna Express
Subarna Express in 2015
Overview
Service typeInter-city (non-stop)
StatusActive
First service14 April 1998 (1998-04-14)
Current operator(s)Bangladesh Railway
Route
StartChittagong railway station
Stops1
EndKamalapur railway station
Distance travelled346 kilometres (215 miles)
Average journey time5 hours and 20 minutes
Service frequency6 days each week (Off day: Monday)
Train number(s)701/702
Line(s) used
On-board services
Class(es)
  • Ac chair
  • Non-ac chair
Seating arrangementsOpen (Seats one behind another)
Sleeping arrangementsNo
Catering facilitiesOn-board
Baggage facilitiesOverhead racks
Technical
Rolling stock
  • One 3000 class locomotive
  • 8 ac chair
  • 7 non-ac chair
  • 2 non-ac chair+dining car+guard brake
  • One power car
Track gauge1,000 mm (3 ft 3 3⁄8 in)
Operating speed80 km/h (max)
Track owner(s)Bangladesh Railway
Rake maintenanceChittagong

Subarna Express is the first non-stop intercity train of Bangladesh.[1] It was inaugurated on 14th April, 1998.[2] Before its introduction, Mohanagar Express, the first intercity train of the country used to run as train no. 701/702. But that number was given to Subarna Express and then Mohanagar Express was given train no. 721/722. In Chttagong−Dhaka route, Mohanagar Provati/Godhuli Express (703/704), Mohanagar Express (721/722), Turna Express (741/742), Sonar Bangla Express (787/788), Chattala Express (801/802), Dhaka/Chittagong Mail (1/2) and Karnaphuli Express (3/4) also run alongside Subarna Express. As of 2020, there are three non-stop intercity trains in Bangladesh, Subarna Express (701/702), Sonar Bangla Express (787/788) and Banalata Express (791/792). Chittagong railway station is the base of Subarna Express. Subarno express runs with indonesian PT INKA coaches.

Timetable

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.[3]

Train

no.

 Source Departure Destination Arrival Weekly

holiday

701 Chittagong 07:00 Kamalapur 12:20 Monday[2][4]
702 Kamalapur 16:30 Chittagong 21:50

P.S.: Sometimes this train is closed during Bishwa Ijtema.[5]

Stoppages

As of 2020, Subarna Express gives stoppage only at Dhaka Airport railway station.

Rolling Stock

Upon its inauguration, Subarna Express was hauled by class 2700 and 2600 locomotives. Later, it was replaced by class 2900. Then again, it was replaced by class 3000 locos.

Previously, the train ran with Iranian yellow-green air braked coaches. Later, due to maintenance problems, this rake was replaced by Chinese white air braked coaches in 2007 with a load of 18/36. Among the 18 coaches, 8 were ac chair, 7 were non-ac chair, one was an ac chair+dining car+guard brake, one was a non-ac chair+dining car+guard brake and one was a power car. The train had 899 seats.[6] Sometimes the train runs at a load of 22/44 if there is a compelling demand, especially during the two Eid vacations. In 2016, it was decided to give Indonesian red-green air braked coaches to Subarna Express but was cancelled afterwards. Later on 20th October 2020, that decision was taken again. From 3rd November 2020, the train runs on Indonesian red-green air braked coaches with a load of 18/36. Among the 18 coaches, 8 are ac chair, 7 are non-ac chair, 2 are non-ac chair+dining car+guard brake, and one is a power car. The train has 890 seats.

Rake composition of 701 (as of 2020):

(It will be the opposite for 702.)

Rolling

stock

 Loco
Class 3000 Non-ac chair+dining car+guard brake Non-ac chair Non-ac chair Non-ac chair Non-ac chair Non-ac chair Non-ac chair Non-ac chair Ac chair Ac chair Ac chair Power car Ac chair Ac chair Ac chair Ac chair Ac chair Non-ac chair+dining car+guard brake
Code MEI-20 WECDR WEC WEC WEC WEC WEC WEC WEC WJCC WJCC WJCC WPC WJCC WJCC WJCC WJCC WJCC WECDR
No. of seats - 15 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 55 55 55 0 55 55 55 55 55 15

Accidents
  • 12/08/2004: Subarna Express was set on fire by several miscreants at Bhairab Bazar Junction railway station, Kishoreganj District. A huge damage of twelve of the newly imported air braked Iranian coaches occurred.
  • 07/05/2013: Some miscreants set fire to five coaches of Subarna Express at Chittagong railway station.[7]
  • 05/02/2014: The locomotive of Dhaka-bound Subarna Express derailed near Pahartali loco shed, Chittagong at 06:45 am due to a signalling fault. No casualties of people or damage of the train occurred. The train was rescued after two hours.[8]
  • 15/03/2018: The connecting portion of Ga and Gha coaches of Chittagong-bound Subarna Express caught fire at about 3:30 pm in Mohakhali Amtali area near Banani railway station, Dhaka. But the reason for catching fire is not known. Later, railway workers, passengers and firefighters extinguished the fire. No casualties occurred.[9]
  • 07/01/2020: Four people were injured due to throwing of stones in Chittagong-bound Subarna Express at 06:00 pm.[10]
  • 01/03/2020: Ac chair coach no. 6508 of Subarna Express caught fire near Laksham Junction railway station, Comilla District due to the heat caused by the friction between wheel and axle. No casualties occurred.[11][12]
  • A ticket of Subarna Express

References
  1. "Luxury train hits Dhaka-Ctg route". The Daily Star. 26 June 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  2. "সুবর্ণ-সোনার বাংলা: সাপ্তাহিক বন্ধের দিন পরিবর্তন". Banglanews24.com (in Bengali). 15 July 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  3. "সুবর্ণ এক্সপ্রেস ট্রেনের সময়সূচী, টিকেট ও ভাড়ার তালিকা". আমার ট্রেন (in Bengali). 15 March 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  4. "সুবর্ণ এক্সপ্রেস ও সোনার বাংলার সাপ্তাহিক বিরতি পরিবর্তন হচ্ছে". Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 11 July 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  5. "১২ জানুয়ারি বন্ধ থাকবে সুবর্ণ এক্সপ্রেস". Bangladesh Times (in Bengali). 6 January 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  6. "ঢাকার উদ্দেশ্যে চট্টগ্রাম ছাড়লো সুবর্ণ এক্সপ্রেস". DBC News (in Bengali). 31 May 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  7. "Subarna Express torched". Bdnews24.com. 7 May 2013. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  8. "সুবর্ণ এক্সপ্রেস দুই ঘণ্টা পর উদ্ধার". Risingbd.com (in Bengali). 5 February 2014. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  9. "আগুন নেভানোর পর সুবর্ণ এক্সপ্রেস চট্টগ্রামের পথে". RTV NEWS (in Bengali). 15 March 2018. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  10. "কুমিল্লায় সুবর্ণ এক্সপ্রেস ট্রেনে পাথর নিক্ষেপ, আহত ৪". দৈনিক অধিকার (in Bengali). 8 January 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  11. "Subarna Express catches fire". New Age. 2 March 2020. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  12. "Subarna Express train's bogie catches fire". Prothom Alo. 1 March 2020. Retrieved 8 September 2020.

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