Goa Express

The Goa Express is a daily superfast train run by Indian Railways connecting Vasco da Gama, and Hazrat Nizamuddin in New Delhi. It is one of the high priority superfast trains of Indian Railways and also a very important train for Hubli division of South Western Railway.

Goa Express
Overview
Service typeExpress
StatusOperating
LocaleGoa, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh & Delhi
Current operator(s)South Western Railway
Route
StartVasco da Gama (VSG)
Stops27
EndHazrat Nizamuddin (NZM)
Distance travelled2202 km
Average journey time39 hrs 25 mins
Service frequencyDaily
Train number(s)12779 / 12780
On-board services
Class(es)2nd AC (2), AC 3rd (4), Sleeper (11), General (3)
Seating arrangementsAvailable
Sleeping arrangementsAvailable
Catering facilitiesAvailable
Baggage facilitiesAvailable
Technical
Track gaugeBroad Gauge
Operating speedAverage - 55km/h
Route map
Maximum - 110km/h

This train is similar to trains like Karnataka Express, Telangana Express and Andhra Pradesh Express amongst others in providing convenient link between respective state capitals and New Delhi. Vasco da Gama (IR Code: VSG) is the nearest railhead to the capital of Goa, Panjim. Panjim is not directly accessible by rail.

12779 Goa Express - AC 3 tier coach

History

The train was introduced around 1987. At the time of introduction, rail links into Goa were Meter Gauge. Hence the train ran with a Broad Gauge and a Meter Gauge counterpart, the MG section between Vasco da Gama and Miraj, and the BG section between Miraj and Hazrat Nizamuddin. At the time of introduction the train was numbered 2479/2480, with maintenance in Delhi Railway Division of Northern Railway. Post gauge-conversion when the BG train ran the entire route, the train's maintenance was transferred to the Hubli Railway Division of the present day South Western Railway, and renumbered as 12779/12780.

Route

Goa Express was introduced long before Konkan Railways became operational. Thus the train routes via, Margao, Londa, Belgaum, Miraj, Sangli, Satara, Pune, Daund, Manmad, Bhusawal, Khandwa, Itarsi, Bhopal, Jhansi, Gwalior, Agra and Mathura .

During its 39-hour-25-minute journey traversing a distance of about 2202 km, the train passes through Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and passes through a small portion of Rajasthan at Dhaulpur without stopping.

The train is the only daily passenger express train to pass through the Dudhsagar Falls on the Braganza Ghat section. Also 12779 provides a good opportunity to passengers to enjoy the natural beauty of Goa en route and enjoy the scenic Vasco Da Gama to Londa Junction rail route.

Accommodations

This train comprises 2 AC 2-Tiers, 4 AC 3-Tiers, 11 Sleeper Class, 3 Unreserved General Compartment, 1 Pantry car, 2 Luggage/Parcel cum Brake van which is provided with the Guards' cabin & RMS[Railway Mail Service]. Total coach composition is 23 coaches.

Both trains are uses Diesel and Electric Locomotives.

  1. Vasco da Gama - Londa WDP 4 or WDP-4D of Krishnarajapuram (IR Code:-KJM) Diesel Loco Shed.
  2. Londa - Pune WDP-4D of Krishnarajapuram Diesel Loco Shed.
  3. Pune - Hazrat Nizamuddin WAP-7 of Tughlakabad (IR code:-TKD) Electric Loco shed.[1]

The train also gets Twin WDG 4 bankers locomotive of Hubli Shed in the Braganza Ghats between Kulem to Castle Rock in Karnataka.

Time Table
  • 12780 GOA EXPRESS H Nizamuddin - Vasco Da Gama (Daily)[2]
Station Code Halts
NZMDelhi Hazrat Nizamuddin
MTJMathura Junction
AGCAgra Cantt
GWLGwalior Junction
JHSJhansi Junction
BPLBhopal Junction
ETItarsi Junction
KNWKhandwa Junction
BSLBhusaval Junction
JLJalgaon Junction
MMRManmad Junction
KPGKopargaon
BAPBelapur
ANGAhmadnagar
DDDaund Junction
PUNEPune Junction
STRSatara
KRDKarad
SLISangli
MRJMiraj Junction
RBGRaybag
GPBGhatprabha
BGMBelagavi
LDLonda Junction
CLRCastle Rock
QLMKulem
SVMKudchade
MAOMadgaon Junction
VSGVasco-da-Gama

NOTE: This train has a technical halt at Dudh Sagar[DDS] Waterfalls though it is not an official halt.

Slip Service

Slip Route to Hubli and Hazrat Nizamuddin is also available. The train amalgamates/bifurcates at Londa Junction as

  • 17305/17306 Hubli-Hazrat Nizamuddin Goa Link Express
17305 Hubli Link Express
17305 Hubli Link Express - AC 2 tier coach

Direction Reversal

Train Reverses its direction 3 times

See also

References
  1. "Goa express". IRI. Retrieved 23 May 2013.
  2. "12780 GOA EXPRESS H Nizamuddin - Vasco Da Gama". ERAIL. Retrieved 23 May 2013.
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