Konark Express

Konark Express

Overview
Service type	Express
Locale	Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka & Maharashtra
First service	16 August 1978 (1978-08-16) (initial service between Bhubaneswar and Secunderabad)
Current operator(s)	Central Railways
Route
Start	Bhubaneswar (BBS)
Stops	39
End	Mumbai CSMT (CSMT)
Distance travelled	1,932 km (1,200 mi)
Average journey time	37 hours, 15 minutes
Service frequency	Daily
Train number(s)	11019 / 11020
On-board services
Class(es)	AC 2 Tier, AC 3 Tier, Sleeper class, General Unreserved
Seating arrangements	Yes
Sleeping arrangements	Yes
Catering facilities	Available
Observation facilities	Large windows
Baggage facilities	Below the seats
Technical
Rolling stock	LHB coaches
Track gauge	1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Operating speed	51 km/h (32 mph) average with halts
Route map

The 11019 / 11020 Konark Express was one of the classless Superfast trains introduced by Shri Madhu Dandavate in the 1978 as a daily service between (SC) Secunderabad and Bhubaneshwar (BBS). It used to run with train No 2119/2120 and shared rake with the 2101/2102 Minar Superfast Express which used to operate between Secunderabad and Bombay VT (now CSTM). This train initially had the Navy Blue livery with a white strip above its windows due to this rake sharing arrangement. With increase in demand of an exclusive train between Bombay and Bhubaneshwar, this train was extended up to Bombay VT in 1994 thus ending the rake sharing arrangement between 2101/2102 Minar Express (which was later replaced by the 2701/02 Hussainsagar Express). After extension this train was renumbered as 1019/1020 in 1994. It is one of the oldest trains connecting the eastern and western states of the country. Currently operating as 11019/11020, it connects Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CSTM) to Bhubaneshwar (BBS).

Route & halts

Major halts on the way are Dadar, Thane, Kalyan, Lonavala, Pune, Daund, Solapur, Gulbarga, Tandur, Secunderabad, Kazipet, Warangal, Mahbubabad, Khammam, Vijayawada, Eluru, Rajamundry, Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam, Palasa, Berhampur and Khurda Road.

The total distance traveled is 1,932 km (1,200 mi). It covers about 1,066 km (662 mi) in the state of erstwhile Andhra Pradesh (present Telangana and Andhra Pradesh) itself.

Coach composition

It consists of one AC 2 tier, five AC 3 tier, twelve non-AC sleeper, one Pantry car, two Unreserved and two Brake-cum-Guard vans, taking a total of 23 coaches. They are maintained by the East Coast Railway and Central Railway zones

Traction

Due to part electrification, it gets three locomotives. Between Mumbai CSMT and Wadi Junction, it uses WDP-4D locomotive of Pune shed (earlier it used to be hauled with WDP-4D of Kalyan shed), from Wadi Junction till Visakhapatnam, it is hauled by a WAP-4 locomotive of Vijayawada shed and finally a WAP-7 / WAP-4 locomotive of Visakhapatnam shed hauls it till Bhubaneswar.

Direction reversal

It reverses direction twice at;

1. Vijayawada Junction
2. Visakhapatnam Junction.

Incidents

• On 31 July 2008, two people were injured when two coaches and the engine of Konark Express derailed at Gangapur station near Gulbarga. The cause of the derailment is yet unknown.

External links

• Konark Express - 11019
• Konark Express - 11020