Sikkim Mahananda Express

The 15483 / 15484 Sikkim Mahananda Express is an express train connecting the cities of Old Delhi and Alipurduar. This is a direct train origination from Old Delhi to Alipurduar Junction. The train connects the Eastern and Northern regions, as well as parts of India in the Bihar & Uttar Pradesh areas.

Sikkim Mahananda Express

Overview
Service type	Express
Locale	West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh & Delhi
First service	5 May 1989; 36 years ago (1989-05-05)
Current operator(s)	Northeast Frontier Railway
Route
Termini	Alipurduar (APDJ) Old Delhi (DLI)
Stops	52
Distance travelled	1,666 km (1,035 mi)
Average journey time	35 hrs 15 mins
Service frequency	Daily
Train number(s)	15483 / 15484
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	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) broad gauge
Operating speed	47 km/h (29 mph) average including halts.
Route map

The name of the train is derived from the Mahananda River, which runs through North Bengal, Eastern Bihar and Bangladesh.^[1]

As the entire route is not electrified, the train runs with both an electric and diesel locomotive. Usually the train gets a WDP-4/WDP-4B from the Siliguri Diesel Loco Shed for the non-electrified territory and a WAP-4 electric locomotive in the electrified section.

History

The train when introduced used to run from Katihar Junction to Delhi as train number(s) 983/984. This train was later extended to New Jalpaiguri with train number(s) 4083/4084. Finally the train was extended to Alipurduar Junction.^[2]

Route and halts

The important stops of this train are;

1. Delhi Junction
2. Delhi Shahdara Junction
3. Ghaziabad Junction
4. Aligarh Junction
5. Tundla Junction
6. Firozabad
7. Etawah Junction
8. Kanpur Central
9. Prayagraj Junction
10. Vindhyachal
11. Mirzapur
12. Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction
13. Buxar
14. Ara Junction
15. Danapur
16. Patna Junction
17. Bakhtiyarpur Junction
18. Mokama
19. New Barauni Junction
20. Begusarai
21. Khagaria Junction
22. Narayanpur Anant
23. Thana Bihpur Junction
24. Naugachia
25. Katihar Junction
26. Barsoi Junction
27. Kishanganj
28. Aluabari Road Junction
29. Bagdogra
30. Siliguri Junction
31. New Mal Junction
32. Binnaguri Junction
33. Dalgaon
34. Hasimara
35. Alipurduar Junction

Traction

Both trains are hauled by a Ghaziabad Loco Shed-based WAP-7 electric locomotive from Old Delhi to Alipurduar Junction and vice versa.

Trivia

In a rare occurrence Sikkim Mahananda Express crosses the Mahananda River five times. The train is named after this river.

Train schedule

Train No.15484 leaves Delhi (DLI) at 07:35 AM and reach to the destined stop Alipurduar Junction (APDJ) at 08:20 PM on day after another. Train No.15483 leaves Alipurduar Junction (APDJ) at 10:30 AM and reach to the destined stop Delhi (DLI) at 09:45 PM on day after another. During the journey of approximately 38 hours the train goes via 56 stations before reaching its destination.^[3]

Accommodations

This train comprises 1 first AC [2-Tiers+3-Tiers], 10 AC 3-Tiers, 4 Sleeper class, 2Unreserved General Compartment, 1 Pantry car & 1 Luggage/Parcel and engine generator car is provided with the Guards' cabin. Total coach composition is 24.

Incidents

• "Goons test guns on train kill Chief Ticket Inspector in Ghaziabad". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 29 June 2013. Retrieved 1 December 2012.
• "Crowd torches Mahananda Express in Hathras". The Indian Express. October 2009. Retrieved 1 October 2009.

See also

• New Jalpaiguri–New Delhi Superfast Express