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Hyderabad–Visakhapatnam Godavari Express

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Not to be confused with Lokmanya Tilak Terminus–Manmad Godavari Express.

Godavari Superfast Express
Overview
Service typeSuperfast Express
StatusRunning
LocaleTelangana & Andhra Pradesh
First service1 February 1974; 50 years ago (1974-02-01)
Current operator(s)South Central Railway
RidershipDaily
Route
TerminiHyderabad Deccan (HYB)
Visakhapatnam (VSKP)
Stops18
Distance travelled710 km (441 mi)
Average journey time12 hours 25 minutes
Service frequencyDaily
Train number(s)12727 / 12728
On-board services
Class(es)AC 2 Tier, AC 3 Tier, Sleeper class, General Unreserved
Seating arrangementsYes
Sleeping arrangementsYes
Catering facilitiesE-Catering,
On-board catering
Observation facilitiesLarge windows
Baggage facilitiesBelow the seats
Technical
Rolling stockLHB coach
Track gaugeBroad gauge (1,676 mm)
Operating speed60 km/h (37 mph) average including halts
Route map

The route map of Godavari Express showing most of the stops en route.

The 12727 / 12728 Godavari Superfast Express is an Daily Superfast Express train of India's South Central Railway, operating between Hyderabad[1] and Visakhapatnam.

History

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On 1 February 1974, the Indian Railways announced the first railway service between Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam, the Waltair-Hyderabad Express.

In the early days, the train ran once daily, departing from Visakhapatnam station at 5:20 p.m. and arriving at Hyderabad station at 6:45 a.m. the next morning. During the return journey, the train departed Hyderabad at 5:15 p.m. and arrived at Visakhapatnam station at 5:50 a.m. the next morning. The train was officially renamed Godavari Express as it provided rail connectivity to nine stations across East and West Godavari districts.

It was hauled by a steam locomotive and had 17 coaches. Its highest speed of 50 km/h came between Samalkot and Rajahmundry. A slip service was introduced during 1975, and the train began to run up to Kakinada. As a result, five more coaches were added. The train entered a Rake Sharing Agreement or RSA with Simhadri Express, which ran between Visakhapatnam and Rajahmundry. However, in 1980, both the slip service and the RSA were canceled as the Simhadri Express was extended to Bhimavaram and the Kakinada–Secunderabad Gowthami Express was introduced.

The train later ran with a diesel locomotive. By 1990, the train had become popular, and two more coaches were introduced, taking the total to 24. It became one of the longest trains in India. When the Visakhapatnam–Vijayawada line and the Vijayawada–Kazipet–Hyderabad lines were electrified, the train started running with the WAP-4 electric locomotive. Soon, the Godavari Express became the first South Central Railway train to offer 5 air-conditioned coaches.

In June 1999, the train met with its first accident, derailing at Ghanpur near Warangal. In the year 2000, the Godavari Express became the first train in the South Central railway to run with an air-conditioned first-class coach and the first in the Zone to have 6 air-conditioned coaches. In 2011, on becoming a Superfast train, it was renumbered to 12727 and was hauled by a WAP-7. Engineers modified the train timings again, and consequently, further reduced the journey time by 15 minutes.

In July and August 2011, passengers of the air-conditioned coaches were robbed twice, and a hoax call was made regarding a bomb in the sixth coach. As a result, safety was enhanced, and the train started running with a WAP-7 from end to end. This train then became the first to run with a WAP-7 between Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada.[2] Hundreds of people from Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts travel to Secunderabad daily through Godavari Express.

Coaches

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The train was upgraded with LHB coach on 1 June 2020, running from both Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam by South Central Railway. Previously It was upgraded as an Utkrist CBC rake train in 2018. It ran until 22 March 2020 when lockdown started.

Route and halts

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Traction

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It is hauled by a Lallaguda Loco Shed based WAP-7 electric locomotive from end to end.

Celebration

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The East Coast Railway in Visakhapatnam Junction and South Central Railway in Hyderabad Deccan has celebrated which the train marked the 50th anniversary of a train on February 2, 2024

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Train Name Index" (PDF). Portal of Indian Railways. p. 5. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  2. ^ "Raised railway fares become operational". The Times of India. April 2012. Retrieved 2 April 2012.
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