Sealdah–Bikaner Duronto Express

The 12259 / 12260 Sealdah-Bikaner Duronto Express is a premium train of the Duronto Express category belonging to Indian Railways - Eastern Railway zone that runs between Sealdah and Bikaner in India.It operates as train number 12259 from Sealdah to Bikaner and as train number 12260 in the reverse direction serving the states of West Bengal, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana and Rajasthan.^[1] It used to run as New Delhi - Sealdah Duronto Express and was the first Duronto Express to be launched as announced in the Railway budget of 2008/09. On 24 February 2020, it was extended beyond New Delhi to Bikaner, thereby becoming not only the first Duronto service to Bikaner but also one connecting New Delhi and Bikaner. It was the fastest Duronto Express in India when it operated from Sealdah to New Delhi. It is the second fastest train to connect New Delhi to Kolkata by rail.

Sealdah - Bikaner Junction Duronto Express
Sealdah Duronto Express train board
Overview
Service type	Duronto Express
First service	18 September 2009; 15 years ago (2009-09-18) 24 February 2020; 5 years ago (2020-02-24) Extended to Bikaner
Current operator(s)	Eastern Railways
Route
Termini	Sealdah (SDAH) Bikaner (BKN)
Stops	11
Distance travelled	1,921 km (1,194 mi)
Average journey time	25 hours
Service frequency	4 Days a week.
Train number(s)	12259 / 12260
On-board services
Class(es)	AC First Class, AC 2 Tier, AC 3 Tier
Seating arrangements	No
Sleeping arrangements	Yes
Catering facilities	Available
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)
Operating speed	77 km/h (48 mph) Average including halts.
Route map Legend 12259 ↓ Sealdah West Bengal Jharkhand border Dhanbad Junction Koderma Junction Jharkhand Uttar Pradesh border Pt. DD Upadhyaya Jn Kanpur Central Uttar Pradesh Delhi border New Delhi Delhi Haryana border Loharu Junction Haryana Rajasthan border Sadulpur Junction Churu Junction Ratangarh Junction Shri Dungargarh 12260 ↑ Bikaner Junction 12259 - Sealdah → Bikaner 12260 - Bikaner → Sealdah

Coaches

The 12259 / 60 Sealdah Bikaner Duronto Express presently has one AC First Class, four AC 2 tier, twelve AC 3 tier, two End on Generator Car & one Pantry car coach.

As is customary with most train services in India, Coach Composition may be amended at the discretion of Indian Railways depending on demand.

Service

The 12259 Sealdah Bikaner Duronto Express covers the distance of 1,921 km (1,194 mi) in 25 hours 20 minutes, at an average speed of 76 km/h (47 mph), and in 25 hours 0 minutes as 12260 Bikaner Sealdah Duronto Express, an average speed of 77 km/h (48 mph). As the average speed of the train is above 55 km/h (34 mph), as per Indian Railways rules, its fare includes a superfast surcharge.

Routing and technical halts

The 12259/12260 Sealdah - Bikaner Duronto Express runs from Sealdah via Dhanbad Junction, Koderma Junction, PT. Deen Dayal Upadhyay Junction, Kanpur Central, New Delhi, Loharu, Sadulpur, Churu, Ratangarh to Bikaner Junction

Traction

As the route is fully electrified, it is hauled by a Howrah Loco Shed or Sealdah Loco Shed based WAP-7 electric locomotive from Sealdah to Bikaner Junction and vice versa.

Termination

The train was terminated by Indian Railways after its final run from Bikaner to Sealdah on 24 May 2021, due to low occupancy and safety compromises amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The train again started its run from 9 June 2021 .

Gallery

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  12259 Sealdah Duronto Express - AC 2 tier
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  12259 Sealdah Duronto Express with its WAP 4 engine
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  12259 Sealdah Duronto Express - AC 3 tier
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  12259 Sealdah Duronto Express - EOG car
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  12259 Sealdah Duronto Express at Kanpur Central