Gorakhdham Express
{{Short description|Train in India}}
{{more citations needed|date=October 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2016}}
{{Infobox rail service
| name = Gorakhdham Superfast Express
| type =Superfast Express
| image = Ministry of Railways India.svg
| caption =
| locale = Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana & Punjab
| first = {{start date and age|df=yes|2003|07|12}}
| last =
| operator = North Eastern Railway
| start = {{stnlnk|Gorakhpur}} (GKP)
| stops = 13
| end = {{stnlnk|Bathinda}} (BTI)
| distance = {{convert|969|km|0|abbr=on}}
| journeytime = 16 hrs 55 mins
| frequency = Daily
| class = AC First, AC 2 Tier, AC 3 Tier, Sleeper Class, General Unreserved
| seating = Yes
| sleeping = Yes
| autorack =
| catering = On-board catering,
E-catering
| observation = Large windows
| entertainment =
| baggage = Available
| otherfacilities = Below the seats
| stock = LHB coach
| gauge = {{track gauge|1676mm}}
Broad Gauge
| el =
| trainnumber = 12555 / 12556
| speed = {{convert|64|km/h|0|abbr=on}} average including halts.
| map =
| map_state =
}}
The 12555 / 12556 Gorakhdham Superfast Express is a daily Superfast Express class train service of Indian Railways, which runs between the cities of Gorakhpur and Bathinda via Basti station, state capital of Uttar Pradesh; Lucknow, city of {{stnlnk|Kanpur}} and national capital {{stnlnk|New Delhi}}.
It is considered one of the important trains of North Eastern Railway and Indian Railways as well.
Recently the train is running with the new LHB rakes.
Overview
This train is named after Guru Gorakhnath. Gorakhdham means Place of Guru Gorakhnath.
It is ISO 9001:2015 certified train of Indian Railways.
Cleanliness and safety of passengers is the first motive of this train.
Regular security inspection of train is performed on-board by police personnel. Sniffer dogs inspect the train before the commencement of journey from {{stnlnk|Gorakhpur Junction}}.
On-board housekeeping service regularly & on-demand cleans the toilets and coaches with feedback authorization from passengers.
Train got LHB coach from 14 March 2019.
History
{{Unreferenced section|date=December 2023}}
Earlier this train used to run combined with Vaishali Express between {{stnlnk|Gorakhpur Junction}} & New Delhi.
Independent operation of this train was demanded and Indian Railways foresaw the possibility of this. North Eastern Railway was assigned with the responsibility of presenting report on the practicality of this train. Project report was presented before the Railway Board and it was allowed.
Hence in the year of 1998, Gorakhdham Express commenced its first independent operation from Gorakhpur Junction to New Delhi as an express train having bi-weekly frequency. Soon after its first journey, this train was extended up to {{stnlnk|Rohtak Junction}}, it was declared Superfast Express and its frequency was made daily service.
Few months later this train was again extended to {{stnlnk|Bhiwani Junction}} and this train operated between Gorakhpur Junction & Bhiwani Junction via New Delhi.
Again after few years of service this train was extended till {{stnlnk|Hisar Junction}} and recently extended up to {{stnlnk|Bhatinda Junction}} then this train operates between Gorakhpur Junction & Bhatinda Junction from 14 July 2022.
This is the first Superfast Express train of Bhatinda Junction.
Facilities
This train has facility of E-catering {{Cite web|url=https://www.ecatering.irctc.co.in/eCatering/|title = Order Food Online on Train | Quick & Tasty Food Delivery in Train}} for providing food from Domino's Pizza etc. & on-board catering, for providing snacks, foods, tea/coffee, beverages.
On-demand housekeeping service is provided, which maintains the cleanness of coaches, as well as of toilets.
Route & halts
{{Unreferenced section|date=December 2023}}
- {{stnlnk|Gorakhpur Junction}}
- {{stnlnk|Khalilabad}}
- {{stnlnk|Basti}}
- {{stnlnk|Babhnan}}
- {{stnlnk|Gonda Junction}}
- {{stnlnk|Barabanki Junction}}
- {{stnlnk|Lucknow Charbagh}}
- {{stnlnk|Unnao Junction}}
- {{stnlnk|Kanpur Central}}
- {{stnlnk|New Delhi}}
- {{stnlnk|Nangloi}}
- {{stnlnk|Rohtak Junction}}
- {{stnlnk|Bhiwani Junction}}
- {{stnlnk|Hisar Junction}}
- {{stnlnk|Sirsa}}
- {{stnlnk|Bathinda Junction}}
Schedule
| class="wikitable" | |||||||
| Train number | Station code | Departure station || Departure time || Departure day || Arrival station || Arrival time || Arrival day | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12555 | GKP | Gorakhpur Junction | 4:35 PM | Daily | Bathinda Junction | 12:40 PM | (Daily) next day |
| 12556 | BTI | Bathinda Junction | 2:00 PM | Daily | Gorakhpur Junction | 9:45 AM | (Daily) next day |
Accommodation
{{Unreferenced section|date=December 2023}}
This train consists of 22 coaches – 4 Sleeper coaches, 10 3rd Air-Conditioned coaches, 2 2nd Ac coaches 1 1st Ac coach & 3 Unreserved coaches and 1 EOG.
13 Air-Conditioned coaches consists of 1 First Class, 2 Second Class & 10 Third Class coaches.
Management
{{Unreferenced section|date=December 2023}}
This train is owned, operated & maintained by Lucknow division of North Eastern Railway zone of Indian Railways.
Being prioritized & important train, North Eastern Railway Headquarters Gorakhpur Junction itself monitors this train for better quality & services.
This train is one of the most important trains of Hissar, as well as of Gorakhpur Junction.
Traction
It is hauled by a Gonda Loco Shed-based WAP-7 electric locomotive between Gorakhpur Junction & Bathinda Junction and vice versa.
Accidents
In dense fog on 2 January 2010, the Gorakhdham Express and Prayagraj Express collided near the Panki railway station in Kanpur, about 60 miles (100 kilometers) southwest of Lucknow. Ten people died and about 51 were injured.{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-india-train-idUSTRE6010CN20100102|title=At least 10 killed in train crashes in northern India|date=2 January 2010|work=Reuters|accessdate=16 February 2015}}
On 26 May 2014, it rammed into a stationary goods train near Khalilabad station in Sant Kabir Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh, on its way to Gorakhpur.{{cite web|title=Gorakhdham Express derails in Sant Kabir Nagar UP killing at least 6|url=http://news.biharprabha.com/2014/05/gorakhdham-express-derails-in-sant-kabir-nagar-up-killing-at-least-6/|work=IANS|publisher=news.biharprabha.com|accessdate=26 May 2014}} More than 40 people were killed and over 150 were injured.
In 2004, the train hit a truck which was standing on tracks. Luckily the truck was driverless.
Gallery
File:Gorakdham Express - HA1.jpg|HA1 coach of Gorakhdham Express
File:Gorakdham Express - Sleeper.jpg|Sleeper coach of the train
File:Gorakdham Express - AC 3 Tier.jpg|AC 3 Tier, B2 coach of the train
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.indianrail.gov.in] Indian Railways
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gorakhdham Express}}
Category:Transport in Hisar (city)
Category:Named passenger trains of India
Category:Express trains in India
Category:Passenger trains originating from Gorakhpur
Category:Rail transport in Delhi
Category:Rail transport in Haryana