Goa Express
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The Goa Express is a daily superfast train run by Indian Railways connecting Vasco da Gama, and Hazrat Nizamuddin in New Delhi. It is one of the high priority superfast trains of Indian Railways and additionally, a very important train for Hubli division of South Western Railway.
 | |||||
| Overview | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service type | Express | ||||
| Status | Operating | ||||
| Locale | Goa, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh & Delhi | ||||
| Current operator(s) | South Western Railway | ||||
| Route | |||||
| Start | Vasco da Gama (VSG) | ||||
| Stops | 27 | ||||
| End | Hazrat Nizamuddin (NZM) | ||||
| Distance travelled | 2202 km | ||||
| Average journey time | 39 hrs 25 mins | ||||
| Service frequency | Daily | ||||
| Train number(s) | 12779 / 12780 | ||||
| On-board services | |||||
| Class(es) | 2nd AC (2), AC 3rd (4), Sleeper (11), General (3) | ||||
| Seating arrangements | Available | ||||
| Sleeping arrangements | Available | ||||
| Catering facilities | Available | ||||
| Baggage facilities | Available | ||||
| Technical | |||||
| Rolling stock | ICF coaches | ||||
| Track gauge | Broad Gauge | ||||
| Operating speed | Average - 55km/h | ||||
| |||||
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This train is similar to trains like Karnataka Express, Telangana Express and Andhra Pradesh Express amongst others in providing convenient link between respective state capitals and New Delhi. Vasco da Gama (IR Code: VSG) is the nearest railhead to the capital of Goa, Panjim. Panjim is not directly accessible by rail.
HistoryEdit
The train was introduced around 1987.[when?] At the time of introduction, rail links into Goa were Meter Gauge. Hence the train ran with a Broad Gauge and a Meter Gauge counterpart, the MG section between Vasco da Gama and Miraj, and the BG section between Miraj and Hazrat Nizamuddin. At the time of introduction the train was numbered 2479/2480, with maintenance in Delhi Railway Division of Northern Railway. Post gauge-conversion when the BG train ran the entire route, the train's maintenance was transferred to the Hubli Railway Division of the present day South Western Railway, and renumbered as 12779/12780.
RouteEdit
Goa Express was introduced long before Konkan Railways became operational. Thus the train routes via, Margao, Londa, Belgaum, Miraj, Sangli, Satara, Pune, Daund, Manmad, Bhusawal, Khandwa, Itarsi, Bhopal, Jhansi, Gwalior, Agra and Mathura .
During its 39-hour-25-minute journey traversing a distance of about 2202 km, the train passes through Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and passes through a small portion of Rajasthan at Dhaulpur without stopping.
The train is the only daily passenger express train to pass through the Dudhsagar Falls on the Braganza Ghat section. Also 12779 provides a good opportunity to passengers to enjoy the natural beauty of Goa en route and enjoy the scenic Vasco Da Gama to Londa Junction rail route.
AccommodationsEdit
This train comprises 2 AC 2-Tiers, 4 AC 3-Tiers, 11 Sleeper Class, 3 Unreserved General Compartment, 1 Pantry car, 2 Luggage/Parcel cum Brake van which is provided with the Guards' cabin & RMS[Railway Mail Service]. Total coach composition is 23 coaches.
Loco LinkEdit
Both trains uses Diesel and Electric Locomotives.
- Vasco da Gama - Londa WDP 4 or WDP-4D of Diesel Loco Shed, Krishnarajapuram (IR Code:-KJM).
- Londa - Pune WDP-4D of Diesel Loco Shed, Pune.
- Pune - Hazrat Nizamuddin WAP-7 of Electric Loco Shed, Tuglakabad
The train also gets Twin WDG 4 bankers locomotive of Hubli Shed in the Braganza Ghats between Kulem to Castle Rock in Karnataka.
Time TableEdit
| Station Code | Station name | Arrival | Departure |
|---|---|---|---|
| NZM | Hazrat Nizamuddin | --- | 14:50 |
| MTJ | Mathura Junction | 16:48 | 16:50 |
| AGC | Agra Cantt | 17:50 | 17:55 |
| GWL | Gwalior Junction | 20:30 | 20:32 |
| JHS | Jhansi Junction | 22:05 | 22:15 |
| BPL | Bhopal Junction | 02:35 | 02:45 |
| ET | Itarsi Junction | 04:25 | 04:30 |
| HD | Harda | 05:28 | 05:30 |
| KNW | Khandwa Junction | 06:58 | 07:00 |
| BSL | Bhusaval Junction | 08:45 | 08:50 |
| JL | Jalgaon Junction | 09:23 | 09:25 |
| MMR | Manmad Junction | 11:15 | 11:20 |
| KPG | Kopargaon | 12:18 | 12:20 |
| BAP | Belapur | 13:08 | 13:10 |
| ANG | Ahmadnagar | 14:17 | 14:20 |
| DD | Daund Chord Line | 15:38 | 15:40 |
| PUNE | Pune Junction | 16:55 | 17:10 |
| STR | Satara | 19:47 | 19:50 |
| KRD | Karad | 20:42 | 20:45 |
| SLI | Sangli | 21:42 | 21:45 |
| MRJ | Miraj Junction | 22:40 | 22:45 |
| KUD | Kudachi | 23:15 | 23:15 |
| RBG | Raybag | 23:34 | 23:35 |
| GPB | Ghatprabha | 00:01 | 00:02 |
| BGM | Belagavi | 01:10 | 01:15 |
| LD | Londa Junction | 02:35 | 02:45 |
| CLR | Castle Rock | 03:20 | 03:25 |
| QLM | Kulem | 05:05 | 05:10 |
| SVM | Kudchade | 05:39 | 05:40 |
| MAO | Madgaon Junction | 06:15 | 06:20 |
| VSG | Vasco-da-Gama | --- | 07:25 |
Direction ReversalEdit
Train Reverses its direction 2 times