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Interested in a little rail history?
- On 16th April 1853, the first ever train journey was initiated in India, between Bombay and Thane. The expedition was 34 km long and took 45 minutes to complete, all of which was under rail networks.
- Improvising since then, in 1952, it was decided to replace all the existing rail networks by zones.
Today locomotives mostly run by zones, and with varied route options and updated online booking software, Indian railway still looks pretty promising and suitable. We all want to reach our destinations fastest and so over time, our country has advanced in high-speed trains.
10 of the fastest trains in the Indian railway system, preferred by the commuters are discussed below. However, with Hyperloop on its way, this list will be updating soon.
1. Gatimaan Express (New Delhi-Agra)
Rank: 1
Average speed: 94 km/hr
Image Credit: Indian Rail Info
Gatimaan Express is India’s first high-speed train, from New Delhi to Gwalior. With a top speed of 160 km/hr, the train takes around 195 minutes to cover a distance of 305 km, including only one stop that is “Agra”. Facility of onboard catering and e-catering is available during the journey.
The train number is 12049/12050 and it runs 7 days a week.
2. New Delhi-Bhopal Shatabdi Express
Rank: 2
Average speed: 91.85 km/hr
Image Credit: India.com
Shatabdi Express is the shortest route between New Delhi and Bhopal. Operated by the Northern Railway, the train started in 1988 and was also the first Shatabdi of the country. It takes around 7 hours 50 minutes to cover a distance of 703 km which includes 8 halts. Onboard and e-catering are allowed on this train because there is no Pantry car.
The train number is 12002 and it runs 7 days a week.
3. Rajdhani Express (Mumbai Central-New Delhi)
Rank: 3
Average speed: 91.56 km.hr
Image Credit: groundreport.com
Rajdhani Express connects New Delhi with other important stations. It was introduced in the year 1969. The train is fully air-conditioned and complimentary meals are served onboard. Also, it covers a distance of 1384 kilometres from Mumbai Central to New Delhi in 15 hours and 57 minutes. Whenever we talk about the fastest trains, Rajdhani is always discussed as a front-runner.
The train number is 12951 and it runs 7 days a week.
4. Duronto (Sealdah – New Delhi)
Rank: 4
Average speed: 91.13 km/hr
Image Credit: Youtube
Fastest Duronto service in India, this train do not have any stops that are officially listed, however, it stops for the change of crew and catering purposes. It covers a distance of 1453 kilometres from Sealdah to Delhi in 16 hours and 20 minutes which includes only 3 halts. It connects metros with major state capitals and the train service has an onboard catering.
The train number is 12259 and it runs 7 days a week.
5. Shatabdi Express (New Delhi – Kanpur)
Rank: 5
Average speed: 89.63 km/hr
Image Credit: indianrailinfo.com
The first Shatabdi train started in 1988, between New Delhi-Bhopal.
New Delhi-Kanpur Shatabdi express, which is the second Shatabdi train for Kanpur, was introduced due to excessive loading of passengers on that route. The train covers a distance of 441 km in 4 hours and 44 minutes from New Delhi to Kanpur.
Initially, the train used to travel non-stop from Kanpur to New Delhi. Later intermediate stops of Ghaziabad, Etawah and Aligarh were added for better convenience. Following the reverse timetable of Lucknow Shatabdi, it is also termed as “Kanpur Reverse Shatabdi”.
The train number is 12034 and it runs 7 days a week with onboard and e-catering available.
6. Rajdhani Express (New Delhi – Howrah)
Rank: 6
Average speed: 88.21 km/hr
Image Credit: Quora
Introduced in the year 1969, it is still called the king by the railfans. It covers a distance of 1,447 kilometres from New Delhi to Howrah in 16 hours and 55 minutes which includes 6 halts. The train also has its own pantry car along with onboard catering and e-catering.
Country’s first Wifi enabled train, it has a very high priority on the Indian Railway Network.
The train number is 12302 and it runs every day except for Friday.
7. Howrah Duronto (New Delhi- Howrah)
Rank: 7
Average speed: 88 km/hr
Image Credit: Youtube
Howrah Duronto from New Delhi- Howrah covers a distance of 1530 km in 21 hours and 45 minutes including 4 halts. Operated by the Eastern Railway, the train started services in 2002 and has its own pantry car, additional to onboard catering and e-catering.
The train number is 12274 and it runs only on Tuesday and Saturday.
8. Allahabad Duronto (New Delhi- Allahabad)
Rank: 8
Average speed: 85.48 km/hr
Image Credit: Indian Rail Info
Allahabad Duronto covers a distance of 632 km in 7 hours and 35 minutes including 1 halts. Operated by the Northern Railway, the train started services in 2010. Only e-catering is allowed on this train.
The train number is 12275, from Allahabad to New Delhi and 12276 in the reverse direction.
Also, it runs on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
9. Sealdah Rajdhani Express (Sealdah-New Delhi)
Rank: 9
Average speed: 83 km/hr
Image Credit: Youtube
Sealdah Rajdhani took its inaugural run on Jul 01, 2000. It covers a distance of 1458 km in 17 hours and 35 minutes which includes 6 halts.
The train number is 12313 and it runs 7 days a week.
10. Garib Rath (Nizamuddin- Bandra)
Rank: 10
Average speed: 82 km/hr
Image Credit: Youtube
Bandra Terminus Hazrat Nizamuddin Garib Rath Express is a Superfast express train of the Garib Rath category, belonging to the Western Railway zone, that runs between Bandra Terminus and Hazrat Nizamuddin in India. Garib Rath is also one of the most economic trains offered by Indian Railways. It covers a distance of 1367 km in 16 hours and 35 minutes.
The train number is 12910 and it operates on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday.
So, the next time you are travelling to/between any of these junctions, do remember the convenient options that the Indian Railways offers.
And, Have a Safe-Rail Journey.
