Howrah–Vasco da Gama Amaravati Express

Not to be confused with Amaravati Express.

The 18047 / 18048 Shalimar–Vasco da Gama Amaravati Express is an Express train belonging to South Eastern Railway zone that runs between Shalimar railway station and Vasco da Gama in India. It is currently being operated with 18047/18048 train numbers on four days in week basis.^[1][2][3]

Shalimar–Vasco da Gama Amaravati Express

Overview
Service type	Express
First service	9 December 2006; 18 years ago (2006-12-09)
Current operator(s)	South Eastern Railway
Route
Termini	Kolkata Shalimar (SHM) Vasco da Gama (VSG)
Stops	40
Distance travelled	2,119 km (1,317 mi)
Average journey time	40 hrs 30 mins
Service frequency	Four days a week [a]
Train number(s)	18047 / 18048
On-board services
Class(es)	AC 2 tier, AC 3 tier, Sleeper Class, General Unreserved
Seating arrangements	No
Sleeping arrangements	Yes
Catering facilities	On-board catering, E-catering
Observation facilities	Large windows
Baggage facilities	No
Other facilities	Below the seats
Technical
Rolling stock	LHB coach
Track gauge	1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Operating speed	52 km/h (32 mph) average including halts.

Introduction

The train is named after the famous capital city of Satavahana dynasty, Amaravati which stands in present-day Guntur district.

It is the only train connecting the states of West Bengal and Goa directly and between Kolkata and Goa.The train is highly preferred by tourists and nature lovers, because it runs through the coastal Goa, the Deccan Plateau, coastal Andhra and Orissa and the spectacular Braganza Ghats of Western Ghats, where it meets the world-famous Dudhsagar Falls.

The 18047/Amaravati Express has an average speed of 52 km/h and covers 2119 km in 40h 30m. The 18048/Amaravati Express has an average speed of 52 km/h and covers 2119 km in 41h 05m.

Timings

The 18047/Amaravati Express departs from Shalimar railway station at 23:15 IST (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday) and arrives Vasco da Gama at 15:45 IST (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday).

The 18048/Amaravati Express departs from Vasco da Gama at 6:30 IST (Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday) and arrives Shalimar railway station at 23:35 IST (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday).

Halts

The enroute halts of the train are:

WEST BENGAL

1. Shalimar railway station (Source Station)
2. SRC/Santragachi Junction
3. Kharagpur Junction

ODISHA

1. Balasore
2. Bhadrak
3. Jajpur Keonjhar Road
4. Cuttack Junction
5. Bhubaneswar
6. Khurda Road Junction
7. Brahmapur

ANDHRA PRADESH

1. Palasa
2. Srikakulam Road
3. Vizianagaram Junction
4. Visakhapatnam Junction
5. Duvvada
6. Samalkot Junction
7. Rajahmundry
8. Tadepalligudem
9. Eluru
10. Vijayawada Junction
11. Guntur Junction
12. Narasaraopet
13. Vinukonda
14. Markapur Road
15. Cumbum
16. Giddalur
17. Nandyal
18. Dhone Junction
19. Guntakal Junction

KARNATAKA

1. Ballari Junction
2. Toranagallu
3. Hosapete Junction
4. Koppal
5. Gadag Junction
6. Hubli Junction
7. Dharwad
8. Londa Junction
9. Castle Rock

GOA

1. Kulem
2. Sanvordem
3. Madgaon Junction
4. Vasco da Gama (Destination Station)

Available classes

The train has LHB rakes with a maximum speed of 130 km/h. The train consists of 20 LHB coaches:

• 1 AC II Tier
• 4 AC III Tier
• 9 Sleeper coaches
• 4 General Unreserved
• 1 Seating cum Luggage Rake
• 1 Generator Car cum Luggage Rake

Traction

The train is hauled by a Santragachi-based WAP-4 electric locomotive from Howrah to Visakhapatnam Junction.

From Visakhapatnam Junction, it is hauled by Vijayawada-based WAP-4 electric locomotive up to Guntakal Junction.

From Guntakal Junction, train is hauled by Gooty-based WDP-4 twin/WDP-4B twin diesel locomotive up to Vasco da Gama and vice versa.

For the Braganza Ghats, the 1:37 gradient requires the use of Bank engine on the way to Kulem to Castle Rock. The 18048/Amaravati Express gets Hubli-based WDG-4s as bankers.

Direction reversal

Train reverses its direction 1 time:

• Visakhapatnam Junction

See also

• Howrah Junction railway station
• Vasco da Gama railway station
• Amaravati Express

Notes

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