Mumbai Rajdhani Express

The 12951 / 12952 Mumbai Rajdhani Express is a Superfast Express train of Rajdhani class belonging to Indian Railways that runs between Mumbai Central (MMCT) and New Delhi (NDLS) in India. It is the second fastest Rajdhani service in all of India, surpassed by only the Bandra Rajdhani, with an average running speed (ARS) of nearly 88 km/h.

Mumbai Rajdhani Express

File:Mumbai Rajdhani tb.jpg Mumbai Rajdhani Express train board
Overview
Service type	Rajdhani Express
Locale	Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana & Delhi
First service	17 May 1972 (1972-05-17)
Current operator(s)	Western Railways
Route
Start	Mumbai Central (MMCT)
Stops	6
End	New Delhi (NDLS)
Distance travelled	1,387 km (862 mi)
Average journey time	15 hours 42 minutes
Service frequency	Daily
Train number(s)	12951 / 12952
On-board services
Class(es)	AC 1st Class, AC 2 Tier, AC 3 Tier
Seating arrangements	No
Sleeping arrangements	Yes
Catering facilities	Yes
Observation facilities	Large windows
Baggage facilities	Below seat
Technical
Rolling stock	LHB coaches
Track gauge	1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Electrification	25 kV AC
Operating speed	90 km/h (56 mph) average including halts. 130 kmph (Max. permissible)
Route map

History

It was introduced on 17 May 1972 between the then Bombay Central (MMCT) and New Delhi. The train became so popular that prior to the introduction of current reservation facility its reservation chart was prepared just 15 minutes before the scheduled departure of the train. It is a daily service. It operates as train number 12951 down from Mumbai Central to New Delhi and as train number 12952 up in the reverse direction. It is hauled by Vadodara-based WAP7 end to end.

On 19 July 2021, the train made its first commercial run with its new Tejas class smart upgraded LHB coaches replacing its traditional LHB Rajdhani coaches.

Route & halts

• Mumbai Central
• Borivali
• Surat
• Vadodara Junction
• Ratlam Junction
• Nagda
• Kota Junction
• New Delhi

Traction

It is hauled by a Vadodara Loco Shed-based WAP-7 locomotive from end to end.

Speed

The maximum permissible speed of the train is up to 130 kmph except some parts.

The maximum permissible speed of the train or the route is 120 kmph between New Delhi (NDLS) and Tuglakabad (TKD) but RDSO has been requested to corroborate the track quality fit for raising sectional speed to 130 kmph. The maximum permissible speed of the train is 130 kmph in Tuglakabad (TKD) – Palwal (PWL) – Mathura (MTJ) route where it is slower than the fastest train of the route having speed of 160 kmph. The maximum permissible speed of the train or the route: 130 kmph in Mathura (MTJ) – Nagda (NAD) – Ratlam (RTM) route, 100 kmph between Ratlam (RTM) and LIMKHEDA but Railway is trying to raise up to 110 kmph in its part between Limkheda and Megnagar and 130 kmph not feasible on Ghat (Hill) section. The maximum permissible speed of the train or the route: 110 kmph between LIMKHEDA and GODHRA (130 kmph not feasible on Ghat section), 130 kmph between GODHRA and VIRAR, 110 kmph in only 26 km long VIRAR – BORIVALI route, 100 kmph in only 30 km long BORIVALI – Mumbai Central (MMCT, formerly BCT) route. [2]

Railway Board has approved the speed policy which envisages operation of passenger trains at 160 kmph on Delhi–Mumbai route but it is still unclear what will its impact on this train in future like increasing of speed but not up to 160 kmph or up to 160 kmph. [3]

Incidents

On 18 April 2011, three coaches of the train caught fire, including the pantry car. There were no casualties among the 900 passengers.

Further reading

• Brunhouse, Jay (9 February 1986). "Bombay–New Delhi by Luxury Train Is Way to Go". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2 April 2013.