Ajanta Express
{{Short description|Train in India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2016}}
{{Infobox rail service
| name = Ajanta Express
| image = Ministry of Railways India.svg
| image_width =
| caption =
| type = Express
| locale = Telangana & Maharashtra
| first = {{start date and age|df=yes|1967|04|01}}
| operator = South Central Railway
| start = {{stnlnk|Kacheguda}} (KCG)
| stops = 18
| end = {{stnlnk|Manmad}} (MMR)
| distance = {{convert|624|km|0|abbr=on}}
| journeytime = 12 hours 55 minute
| trainnumber = 17063 / 17064
| frequency = Daily
| class = AC First Class, AC 2 Tier, AC 3 Tier, Sleeper Class, General Unreserved
| seating = Yes
| sleeping = Yes
| autorack =
| catering = On-Board Catering,
E-catering
| observation = Rake sharing with 12785/12786 Kacheguda–Ashokapuram Express
| baggage = Available
| otherfacilities = Below the seats
| stock = LHB coach
| gauge = 1,676mm (5ft 6in) Broad Gauge
| el =
| speed = {{convert|49|km/h|0|abbr=on}} average including halts.
| map_name = Ajanta Express Route map
| map = File:Ajanta Express Route map.jpg
| map_state =
}}
The 17063 / 17064 Ajanta Express is an express train belonging to the South Central Railway Zone that runs between Kacheguda in Telangana and Manmad in Maharashtra in India.
History
Ajanta Express runs through eastern Maharashtra (Marathwada region) and the north-western region of Telangana. It was known as Kacheguda Express very often by the people travelling on Kacheguda–Nizamabad–Nanded–Parbhani–Aurangabad route on former Hyderabad–Godavari Valley Railways.
The train was introduced on 1 April 1967 as a metre-gauge train between Kacheguda and Manmad via Nizamabad, Nanded, Parbhani and Aurangabad. The train became popular in a short time as Manmad on {{Track gauge|5ft6in|lk=on}} broad gauge was the point to take broad gauge trains to other destinations.
After the track from Manmad to Parbhani was converted to broad gauge in 1992–95 and the track from Parbhani to Mudkhed and Nizamabad was still not converted, the train was re-routed between Kacheguda and Manmad via Bidar and Parbhani in 1995–1996 because the metre gauge had been converted between Vikarabad and Parbhani by then. In 2007, the train again diverted to its old route which had been converted into broad gauge in 2002–2003.
Ajanta Express (Kacheguda–Manmad) was the fastest metre-gauge train in India with an average speed of {{convert|42.5|kph|mph|1}} in 1967.{{cite web| url = http://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-history4.html| title = Chronology of railways in India, Part 4 (1947–1970)| date = 2010| accessdate = 31 March 2013| publisher = IRFCA Indian Railways Fan Club}}
Overview
The train is named after the Ajanta Caves in Aurangabad. It runs daily and connects important stations such as Nizamabad, Nanded, Parbhani, Jalna, Aurangabad and Nagarsol.
The 17063 Manmad–Kacheguda Ajanta Express has an average speed of 48 km/h and covers 624 km in 12 hours 55 minutes. The 17064 Kacheguda–Manmad Ajanta Express has an average speed of 47 km/h and covers 624 km in 13 hours and 25 minutes.
Timings
The train departs from Kacheguda at 6:40 p.m. and arrives at Manmad Junction at 8:05 a.m. the next day. It departs from Manmad Junction at 8:50 p.m. and arrives at Kacheguda at 9:45 a.m. the next day.
Route and halts
Classes
The train has standard LHB coach with max speed of 110 kmph. The train consists of 22 coaches:(W.E.F-01/01/2025)
- 1 First AC
- 2 AC II Tier
- 5 AC III Tier
- 8 Sleeper coaches
- 4 General Unreserved
- 1 Seating cum Luggage Rake
- 1 Power car/Generator car
As it is customary with most other train services in India, coach composition may be amended at the discretion of Indian Railways, depending on demand.
Coach composition
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders unsortable" style="text-align:center" | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| scope="col" rowspan="1" style="background:cyan;"| Loco
!scope="col" rowspan="1" style="background:yellow;"| 1 !scope="col" rowspan="1" style="background:yellow;"| 2 !scope="col" rowspan="1" style="background:yellow;"| 3 !scope="col" rowspan="1" style="background:lightskyblue;"| 4 !scope="col" rowspan="1" style="background:lightskyblue;"| 5 !scope="col" rowspan="1" style="background:lightskyblue;"| 6 !scope="col" rowspan="1" style="background:lightskyblue;"| 7 !scope="col" rowspan="1" style="background:lightskyblue;"| 8 !scope="col" rowspan="1" style="background:lightskyblue;"| 9 !scope="col" rowspan="1" style="background:lightskyblue;"| 10 !scope="col" rowspan="1" style="background:lightskyblue;"| 11 !scope="col" rowspan="1" style="background:pink;"| 12 !scope="col" rowspan="1" style="background:pink;"| 13 !scope="col" rowspan="1" style="background:pink;"| 14 !scope="col" rowspan="1" style="background:pink;"| 15 !scope="col" rowspan="1" style="background:pink;"| 16 !scope="col" rowspan="1" style="background:pink;"| 17 !scope="col" rowspan="1" style="background:pink;"| 18 !scope="col" rowspan="1" style="background:pink;"| 19 !scope="col" rowspan="1" style="background:pink;"| 20 !scope="col" rowspan="1" style="background:pink;"| 21 !scope="col" rowspan="1" style="background:pink;"| 22 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25px | SLR | GEN | GEN | HA1 | A2 | A1 | B5 | B4 | B3 | B2 | B1 | S8 | S7 | S6 | S5 | S4 | S3 | S2 | S1 | GEN | GEN | EoG |
Rake sharing
- Previously it shared its rake with 12703/12704 Falaknuma Express (1 January 2018 to 14 December 2023).
- From 20th Dec 2023 The Train started sharing its rake with 12785/12786 Kacheguda–Ashokapuram Express and the Terminal is shifted back to Kacheguda With Primary Maintenance.
Traction
As the route is fully electrified, it is hauled by a Lallaguda Loco Shed based WAP-7 electric locomotive on its entire journey.
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- [http://indiarailinfo.com/train/19 Ajanta Express Time Table]
{{South Central Railway zone}}
{{Railways in Western India}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ajanta Express}}
Category:Transport in Secunderabad
Category:Railway services introduced in 1967
Category:Named passenger trains of India
Category:Transport in Aurangabad, Maharashtra
Category:Rail transport in Maharashtra
Category:Transport in Telangana
Category:1967 establishments in Andhra Pradesh