Magadh Express

The 20801 / 20802 Magadh Express is a superfast train running between New Delhi and Islampur. Its number is 20801/20802 and it departs from Islampur and reaches New Delhi the following day. In the past, its number was 2401/2402 and was run from the Northern Railway zone. Now it is run as a train from South Eastern Railway zone. Earlier a train named Sonbhadra Express used to run between Patna to New Delhi and vice versa. It was converted to Magadh Express after combining it with Vikramshila Express.

Magadh Express
Magadh Express standing at New Delhi.
Overview
Service type	Superfast
Locale	Bihar, Uttar Pradesh & Delhi
First service	2 September 1980; 44 years ago (1980-09-02)
Current operator(s)	South Eastern Railway
Route
Termini	Islampur (IPR) New Delhi (NDLS)
Stops	27
Distance travelled	1,063 km (661 mi)
Average journey time	19 hours 35 minutes
Service frequency	Daily
Train number(s)	20801 / 20802
On-board services
Class(es)	AC First Class, AC 2 Tier, AC 3 Tier, Sleeper Class, General Unreserved
Seating arrangements	Yes
Sleeping arrangements	Yes
Catering facilities	On-board catering, E-Catering
Observation facilities	Large windows
Baggage facilities	Available
Other facilities	Below the seats
Technical
Rolling stock	LHB coach
Track gauge	1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) Broad Gauge
Operating speed	54 km/h (34 mph) average with halts
Route map

Schedule

• 20801 MAGADH EXPRESS departs Islampur every day at 15:30 IST (03:30 PM) and reaches New Delhi on the next day 11:50 IST (11:50 AM PM). It takes 20 hours 20 minutes

• 20802 MAGADH EXPRESS departs New Delhi every night 21:05 IST (09:50 PM) and reaches Islampur next noon at 15:25 IST (03:25 PM). It takes 18 hours 20 minutes

Route and halts

• Islampur
• Fatuha Junction
• Patna Sahib
• Rajendra Nagar Terminal
• Patna Junction
• Phulwari Sharif
• Danapur
• Bihta
• Ara Junction
• Buxar
• Dildarnagar Junction
• Zamania
• Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction
• Mirzapur
• Vindhyachal
• Prayagraj Junction
• Kanpur Central
• Etawah Junction
• Firozabad
• Tundla Junction
• Aligarh Junction
• New Delhi.

Traction

It is hauled by a Ghaziabad Loco Shed based WAP-5 / WAP-7 electric locomotive on its entire journey.

Coaches

The train has 22 LHB coaches which has the maximum speed of 130 kmph. The rake arrangement is,

• 1 End On Generation (EOG)
• 1 First AC (H1)
• 2 AC Two Tier (A1)
• 7 AC Three Tier (B1 to B7)
• 1 AC Three Tier Economy (M1)
• 7 Sleeper (S1 to S7)
• 2 Unreserved coaches
• 1 Seating-cum Luggage Rake (SLR)

But with effect from 01/04/2025, the Coach Composition will be changed with 1 First AC (H1), 2 AC Two Tier (A1), 5 AC Three Tier (B1 to B5), 1 AC Three Tier Economy (M1), 7 Sleeper (S1 to S7), 4 Unreserved coaches, 1 End On Generation (EOG), 1 Seating-cum Luggage Rake (SLR).

Accident

In an accident due to dense fog on 2 January 2010, the Lichchavi Express collided with the stationary Magadh Express train at the station near the city of Etawah, about 170 miles (270 kilometers) southwest of Lucknow.^[1] Ten people, including the driver of one of the trains, were injured.

In January 2018, the engine of the Magadh Express caught fire between stations–Twining Ganj and Raghunathpur – on Mughalsarai–Patna rail section of Danapur division. Railway officials reported no injuries or deaths amongst passengers. It was largely due to the loco pilot's prompt action in extinguishing the fire within moments of having witnessed it, for which the man received praise.^[2][3]