Most speedy Express Train Rajdhani Express (Via Patna)-12306 (New Delhi-Howrah Jn)

Howrah Rajdhani Express From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Howrah Rajdhani is the most prestigious Rajdhani class train in India which connects New Delhi to Howrah, Kolkata. The Howrah Rajdhani was the first Rajdhani Express in India, thereby becoming the first fully air-conditioned train in the country. The train is one of the fastest in India with an average speed of 88 km/h (55 mph) Howrah Rajdhani gets highest priority on Howrah–Delhi main line and Howrah-Delhi Grand Chord Line. It connects two big metropolis of India. The Howrah Rajdhani Express began operations on 3rd March, 1969. The train departed from the New Delhi railway station to reach the Howrah Junction railway station in 17 hours 20 mins, covering a distance of 1,451 km (902 mi) .The express train reduced the travel time from Delhi to West Bengal from an earlier 24 hours to 17 hours. The Howrah Rajdhani is amongst few trains which are fully served by IRCTC, while others are Sealdah Duronto, Mumbai Rajdhani Express and Ahmedabad Rajdhani. Howrah Rajdhani is affectionally called the King by Railfans. Howrah Rajdhani is also the country's first WiFi enabled Rajdhani History: The idea of introducing Rajdhani express as a set of superfast express trains met with consternation and criticism due to both political reasons and the fear of the proposed speed leap from the then maximum permissible speed of express trains of 100 km/h (62 mph) to 140 km/h (87 mph) for trial runs of the train. The planning team behind the idea of such express trains made proposals to the zonal railways whose territories the Rajdhani express would be crossing but was met with opposition. The team was however, able to materialise its plan. The civil aviation in India was back then at its inception which made it was necessary to introduce high speed railway connectivity between metropolitan cities to allow faster travel. The introduction of such fast passenger express trains in the country was an important step for the Indian Railways to take the railway network in India closer to the advanced and high speed railways around the world. Brake/Luggage/Generator, AC I, AC Pantry cum Lounge, AC Chair, AC Chair, AC Chair, AC Chair, Brake/Luggage/Generator It was hauled by a single WDM-4 locomotive. It left Howrah on Wednesdays and Saturdays and left New Delhi on Mondays and Fridays. The booked speed for the train was 115 km/h (71 mph) while maximum permissible speed limit was 120 km/h (75 mph). At that time it was the only train allowed to run at such a speed. It covered a distance of 1,451 km (902 mi) in 17 hours 00 minutes. The ticket issued for the journey cost ₹280 (equivalent to ₹10,000 or US$150 in 2017) for AC First and ₹90 (equivalent to ₹3,300 or US$49 in 2017) for AC Chair Car. The train used to run via Grand Chord (Sitarampur - Mughalsarai via Gaya). It used to have no intermediate passenger stop, however it had technical halt at Gomoh, Mughalsarai and Kanpur Central for refilling of the overhead water tank and to replenish the on-board catering stores. The AC equipment of each coach was of 'Stone Career Automatic System' which allowed electric heating to be automatically switched on during cold weather. The AC First coach used to have three cabins with each cabin containing four berths and three coupes and each coupe containing two berths. The AC Chair Car coaches used to have accommodations for 71 passengers. Both AC First as well as AC Chair Car Coaches were provided with foot-operated wash basins. Many of these features do not resemble the standard features of modern Indian Railways Rolling Stocks. Accommodations:: The trains have high priority on the Indian railway network and are fully air-conditioned. Passengers are provided with complimentary meals during the journey. Depending on the timing of the train, lunch, high tea, dinner, morning tea or breakfast are served. The trains offer three classes of accommodation: First Class AC with 2 or 4 berth lockable bedrooms, Second Class AC 2-tier with open system berths (bays of 4 berths + 2 berths on the side) but provided with curtains for privacy & reading lamps, Second Class AC 3-tier (bays of 6 berths + 2 berths on the side) with privacy curtains in some newer coaches. Interestingly, this Rajdhani boasts of the maximum number of AC 2-Tier coaches among any other train of Indian Railways, with 5 AC 2-tier coaches. Generally it has 2 First AC, 5 AC 2-Tiers, up to 10 AC 3-Tiers ( both of which may be increased according to demand), 1 AC Hot Buffet Car (i.e. Pantry Car) & 2 Luggage/Parcel cum Generator cum Brake van one of which is provided with the Guards' cabin. Loco Link: It is hauled by an HOG WAP-7 of Howrah shed. Destinations: The train is an important link between Kolkata and New Delhi. It runs near some of the most holy sites in India, including Allahabad, Gaya, and Parasnath. It also connects the financial capital of Uttar Pradesh, Kanpur, to Delhi and Kolkata.