Black Diamond Express
_Black_Diamond_Express.jpg) Dhanbad - Howrah Black Diamond Express standing at Dhanbad Railway Station with Howrah based WAP-4 in charge | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Service type | Superfast |
| Status | Active |
| Locale | West Bengal & Jharkhand |
| First service | 1st July 2013, 11 years ago |
| Current operator(s) | East Central Railways |
| Route | |
| Termini | Howrah (HWH) Dhanbad Junction (DHN) |
| Stops | 14 |
| Distance travelled | 271 km (168 mi) |
| Average journey time | 5 hrs |
| Service frequency | Daily |
| Train number(s) | 22387 / 22388 |
| Line(s) used | Howrah - Barrdhaman Main line (till Barrdhaman) and then Delhi - Howrah Line (till Dhanbad) |
| On-board services | |
| Class(es) | CC Class, 2nd Seating, General Unreserved |
| Seating arrangements | Yes |
| Sleeping arrangements | No |
| Catering facilities | E-catering |
| Baggage facilities | Overhead racks for luggage |
| Technical | |
| Rolling stock | ICF coach |
| Track gauge | 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) |
| Operating speed | 54 km/h (34 mph) average with halts |
| Rake maintenance | Dhanbad Jn |
The 22387 / 22388 Dhanbad – Howrah Black Diamond Express is a daily superfast passenger train that connects the city of Dhanbad in Jharkhand to the capital of West Bengal, Kolkata. It acts as a sister train / twin train to the Howrah – Dhanbad Coalfield Express.[1]
History
[edit]Due to the close proximity of Dhanbad, known as the coal capital of India and a major industrial hub in Jharkhand, to key coal and industrial regions of West Bengal including Asansol, Raniganj, Andal, Waria, and Durgapur, along with its proximity to the state capital Kolkata, a significant number of passengers travel along this route daily. However, with the region experiencing population growth and increased industrial activity, the sole superfast daily connection between these cities, the Howrah – Dhanbad Coalfield Express, was struggling to meet the rising demand from passengers. Consequently, there was a strong demand for a new train to effectively address this passenger influx.[2]
In response to this demand, Indian Railways launched the Black Diamond Express between Dhanbad and Howrah on July 1, 2013. This train serves as a counterpart to the Howrah – Dhanbad Coalfield Express, with the key distinction being that the Black Diamond Express is operated by East Central Railways, whereas the former is managed by Eastern Railways. Additionally, while the Howrah – Dhanbad Coalfield Express runs on the Barrdhaman – Howrah Chord line, the Black Diamond Express operates along the Howrah – Barrdhaman Main line.[3]
Service
[edit]The 22387 Howrah – Dhanbad Black Diamond Express, departs Howrah at 06:15 hrs and arrives in Dhanbad at 11:18 hrs, traversing a distance of 271 km in 5 hrs 3 min, with an average speed of 54 km / hr and maximum permissible speed of 110 km / hr. The reverse train, that is 22388 Dhanbad – Howrah Black Diamond Express, departs Dhanbad at 16:20 hrs and arrives in Howrah at 21:20 hrs, covering the journey in 5 hrs, with an average speed of 54 km / hr. Enroute, the train stops at Seoraphuli, Bandel, Barrdhaman, Mankar, Panagarh, Durgapur, Waria, Andal, RaniGanj, Asansol, Sitarampur, Kulti, Barakar and Kumardubi stations. Initially, the train was inaugurated as 13317 / 13318 Howrah - Dhanbad Black Diamond Express.[4] However, with the upgrading of this train to the superfast category, the train numbering was changed to 22387 / 22388.[5]
The train is equipped with 22 ICF coaches. The coach composition includes,
- Two air conditioned chair car coaches (C1 – C2)
- Four non-air conditioned chair car coaches (D1 – D4)
- Thirteen unreserved general coaches (GS / UR)
- One unreserved ladies coach (LDS / UR)
- Two seating cum luggage cars (SLR)
Traction and haulage
[edit]The train is hauled by the Deen Dayal Upadhyay based WAP-7 electric locomotive from end to end.
References
[edit]- ^ Chakraborty, Anubad. "22387/Black Diamond Express - Howrah to Dhanbad ECR/East Central Zone - Railway Enquiry". indiarailinfo.com. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
- ^ Thakur, Jishnu. "12340/Coalfield Express - Dhanbad to Howrah ER/Eastern Zone - Railway Enquiry". indiarailinfo.com. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
- ^ INC, Quasr (17 April 2021). "An Autobiography of Black Diamond Express". KolkataFusion. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
- ^ Chakraborty, Anubad. "22387/Black Diamond Express - Howrah to Dhanbad ECR/East Central Zone - Railway Enquiry". indiarailinfo.com. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
- ^ Vishwanath. "13317/Black Diamond Express - Howrah to Dhanbad ECR/East Central Zone - Railway Enquiry". indiarailinfo.com. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
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