Howrah – Dhanbad Double Decker Express

Howrah - Dhanbad AC Double Decker Express
Overview

Service type	Superfast Double-Decker
Status	Discontinued
Locale	West Bengal & Jharkhand
First service	1 October 2011
Last service	December 2014
Current operator(s)	Eastern Railways
Route
Start	Howrah Junction (HWH)
Stops	5
End	Dhanbad Junction (DHN)
Distance travelled	259 km
Average journey time	4 hrs 15 mins
Service frequency	All Days Except Sunday
Train number(s)	12385/12386
On-board services
Class(es)	AC Chair Car
Seating arrangements	Available
Catering facilities	Available (paid)
Observation facilities	LHB Coaches
Baggage facilities	Available
Technical
Track gauge	1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Electrification	Yes
Operating speed	Average - 60 km/hr Maximum - 110 km/hr

The Howrah – Dhanbad Double Decker Express was a superfast train of Indian Railways, which was the first of its type to be introduced. It was accommodated with latest stainless steel LHB Coaches, manufactured at Kapurthala Coach Factory. It connected Kolkata, capital of West Bengal and Dhanbad, an important town in Jharkhand. With this India joins the league of Europe and North America that run double-decker trains. This new AC design had several features namely stainless steel body, high-speed Eurofima design bogies with air springs and fire safety-features. The coaches had a control discharge toilet system. The train comprised five AC Double Deck Chair Cars and two End-On-Generation Vans. This train was regularly hauled by a WAP 7 locomotive. Sometimes, a WAP-4 locomotive was also be seen as an off-link. The train last ran in December 2014. Since 1 January 2015, the train has been Cancelled/Discontinued. At present the train is laying unmaintained in platform no.16 of Howrah station. This train is considered as one of the most unsuccessful train in this route. According to recent news reports the train will be scrapped sooner than later.

Howrah – Dhanbad Double Decker Express

See also