Cachar Express

The Cachhar Express was a daily Indian Railways Meter-gauge overnight express train from Lumding Junction (nearest broad-gauge rail link of Silchar) to Silchar (second largest city of Assam) and vice versa, both stations are situated in the Indian state of Assam. The train was numbered as 15691 and 15692 respectively. The train service is suspended now as the route in which it used to run is now converted from metre gauge to broad gauge.

Cachhar Express

Overview
Service type	Mail/Express
Locale	Assam
First service	March 16, 1914
Last service	September 28, 2014
Current operator(s)	Northeast Frontier Railways
Route
Termini	Lumding Junction Silchar
Stops	12
Distance travelled	213 km (132 mi)
Average journey time	11 hours 50 mins
Service frequency	Daily
Train number(s)	15691/15692
On-board services
Class(es)	Sleeper (6) General (3) SLR (2)
Seating arrangements	Available
Sleeping arrangements	Available
Auto-rack arrangements	Not available
Catering facilities	Not available
Observation facilities	Windows
Entertainment facilities	Not available
Baggage facilities	Under seat
Technical
Rolling stock	MG ICF rakes
Track gauge	MG
Electrification	Not available
Operating speed	Avg speed: 18 km/h (11 mph)
Route map Northeast Frontier Railway zone

History

Originally, the train ran between Guwahati (capital of the state Assam) and Silchar when introduced in 1914 by the British. The British introduced 6 important trains after the Lumding-Badarpur Junction MG line was completed in 1914. These were 2 MG trains between Guwahati and Silchar, 1 MG train between Silchar & Sylhet, 1 MG Train between Silchar & Dhaka, 1 MG Train between Dhaka & Hailakandi & 1 between Guwahati & Dhaka. In 1947 after partition, 4 trains were permanently withdrawn with only 2 MG trains between Guwahati and Silchar running until 1992. After conversion of Guwahati–Lumding to broad gauge in 1992, the originating and ending station of these train was changed to Lumding. This train was the first option for the passengers, who were willing to travel by train between Silchar and Guwahati, as it was an overnight train.^[1] There was another train on that section, the Barak Valley Express; although this latter train was named Express, it used to run with a status of passenger train in its last days.

Before 1992 the train used to cover 393 kilometres (244 mi) distance in 15 hrs 30 mins with an average moving speed of 25 kilometres per hour (16 mph).^[2]

Post 1992, 15691 Cachhar Express used to depart Lumding at 20:15 pm reaching Silchar at 08.05 am and from Silchar as 15692 at 19:15 reaching Lumding at 07.05 am. The train used to cover a distance of 213 kilometres (132 mi) in 11 hours 50 in its up and down journey with an average moving speed of 18 kilometres per hour (11 mph).

The train was hauled by the YDM-4 class of Lumding meter-gauge diesel loco shed locomotive. 15692 used to be connected with two locos, one in front and another in the rear for pulling and pushing its way to the height of Barail Range, from Harangajao to Jatinga. The important halts of Cachhar Express were Langting, Maibang, Lower Haflong, Haflong Hill, Old Harangajao, Jatinga, Chandranathpur, Badarpur Junction, Katakhal Junction and Arunachal Junction. It had a length of 11 coaches with all non-AC accommodation; SL (6) GN (3) SLR (2).^[3]

The train used to pass through 36 tunnels in Barail Range made during the British era with the Longtharai Tunnel being the longest at 1,936 metres (6,352 ft). The Train used to pass through politically & ethnically volatile Dima Hasao region of Assam. Dacoity, Trainjacking like crimes were rampant.

Now since 2019, this entire route is converted to broad gauge. The broad-gauge predecessor for this train is the 15943/15944 Barak–Brahmaputra Express.

Major halts

• Lumding Junction; Start
• Langting
• Maibang
• Lower Haflong
• Haflong Hill
• Jatinga
• Old Harangajao
• Badarpur Junction
• Katakhal Junction
• Arunachal Junction
• Silchar; End