Farakka Express (via Ayodhya Cantt)

15743/15744 Farakka Express (via Ayodhya Cantt)
	Farakka Express At Unnao Junction
Overview
Service type	Express
First service	1 October 1963; 62 years ago as 83 UP/84 DN
Current operator(s)	Northeast Frontier Railway after extension in 2024.
Route
Start	Balurghat (BLGT)
Stops	69
End	Bathinda (BTI)
Distance travelled	1,864 km (1,158 mi)
Average journey time	42 hrs 45 mins for 15743 & 44 hrs 25 mins for 15744
Service frequency	4 days a week.
Train number(s)	15743 / 15744
On-board services
Class(es)	AC 1st Class, AC 2 tier, AC 3 tier, AC 3 tier Economy, Sleeper class, General Unreserved
Seating arrangements	No
Sleeping arrangements	Yes
Catering facilities	Available
Observation facilities	Large windows
Baggage facilities	Available
Other facilities	Below the seats
Technical
Rolling stock	LHB coach
Track gauge	1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Operating speed	43.60 km/h (27 mph) for 15743 & 42 km/h (26 mph) for 15744 average including halts

The 15743 / 15744 Farakka Express (via Ayodhya Cantt) is an Express train belonging to the Northeast Frontier Railway zone that runs between Balurghat and Bathinda Junction in India on four days in a week basis.^[1]^[2]^[3]

History[edit | edit source]

Originally on 1963, The Farakka Express was started from now abandoned Farakka Railway Station (FKK) by the Late Gani Khan Chowdhury. The train was scheduled to run 3 days via Sultanpur & 4 days via Ayodhya. From 1963-1973, Farakka Express via Sultanpur used to depart Farakka at 23.00 PM at night reaching Delhi Junction on 3rd day morning at 04.30 AM. Meanwhile Farakka Express via Ayodhya used to same timings till Varanasi & reaching Delhi Junction on 3rd day morning at 06.00 AM. After Farakka Barrage was made, Old Farakka Station was closed, New Farakka Junction was made & the train got extended to Malda Town. From 1975 to 2000, timings of Farakka Express via Sultanpur was Malda Town departure 21.45 PM & Delhi Junction arrival on 3rd day morning 04.35 AM. Timings of Farakka Express via Ayodhya was Malda Town departure 21.45 PM & Delhi Junction arrival on 3rd day morning 06.05 AM. In 2001, both the trains was extended to Bhiwani Junction until 2009. From 2009 both the Farakka Express was running only between Malda Town & Delhi Junction until 2024. On 2024, both the trains were extended to Balurghat & Bathinda Junction & slowed down disastrously.

Route and halts[edit | edit source]

Service[edit | edit source]

Currently the 15743/15744 Farakka Express has an average speed of 43.60 kilometres per hour (27.09 mph) and covers 1,864 kilometres (1,158 mi) in 42 hrs 45 mins. 15743 departs Balurghat at 17.00 hrs & reaches Bathinda Junction at 11.45 AM on 3rd day. 15744 departs Bathinda Junction at 15.50 PM & reaches Balurghat at 12.15 PM on 3rd day covering 1,864 kilometres (1,158 mi) in 44 hrs 25 mins having an average speed of 42 kilometres per hour (26 mph).

Coach composition[edit | edit source]

The train has standard LHB rakes with a max speed of 130 kmph. The train consists of 22 coaches:

1 AC 1st Class Sleeper
1 AC II Tier
7 AC III Tier
1 AC III Tier Economy
6 Sleeper coaches
1 Pantry car
3 General
2 Seating cum Luggage Rake

Traction[edit | edit source]

As the route is now fully electrified, it is hauled by a Howrah Loco Shed based WAP-5 / WAP-7 electric locomotive on its entire journey.

Rake sharing[edit | edit source]

The train shares its rake with 15733 / 15734 Farakka Express (via Sultanpur).

Notes[edit | edit source]

↑ Runs four days in a week for every direction.

References[edit | edit source]

External links[edit | edit source]

This Indian express train article is a stub. You can help Bharatpedia by expanding it.

[1] Runs four days in a week for every direction.

[2] Railways diverts 16 trains

[3] Rail block to affect movement of trains

[4] Doon accident: 3 trains cancelled, routes of over a dozen diverted

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