New Delhi–Kathgodam Shatabdi Express

New Delhi–Kathgodam Shatabdi Express
Overview
Service type	Shatabdi Express
First service	17 March 2012
Current operator(s)	Northern Railways
Route
Termini	New Delhi (NDLS) Kathgodam (KGM)
Stops	9
Distance travelled	282 km (175 mi)
Average journey time	05 hours 30 minutes as 12039 from New Delhi to Kathgodam, 05 hours 40 minutes as 12040 from Kathgodam to New Delhi
Service frequency	7 days a week
Train number(s)	12039 / 12040
Line(s) used	New Delhi–Moradabad Moradabad–Kathgodam line
On-board services
Class(es)	Executive Class, AC Chair Car
Seating arrangements	Yes
Sleeping arrangements	No
Catering facilities	On-board catering E-catering
Baggage facilities	Overhead racks
Technical
Rolling stock	LHB coach
Track gauge	1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Electrification	Yes
Operating speed	110 km/h (68 mph) maximum, 50 km/h (31 mph) average including halts
Route map 12040 ↓ New Delhi Delhi Uttar Pradesh border Ghaziabad Junction Moradabad Junction Rampur Junction Bilaspur Road Uttar Pradesh Uttarakhand border Rudrapur City Lalkuan Junction Haldwani 12039 ↑ Kathgodam 12040 - New Delhi → Kathgodam 12039 - Kathgodam → New Delhi

The 12040 / 12039 New Delhi–Kathgodam Shatabdi Express is an Indian train of the Shatabdi Express category belonging to Northern Railway zone that runs between New Delhi and Kathgodam, the nearest rail-head to many tourist destinations in Uttarakhand like Nainital, Ranikhet etc.

It currently operates as train number 12040 from New Delhi to Kathgodam and as train number 12039 in the reverse direction, serving the states of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

Inception of the service

As the need of a fast, air conditioned train to Haldwani, Lalkuan and Kathgodam was raised by several political leaders and citizens, Northern Railways decided to run an "AC Superfast" special service on temporary basis in late 2011. The train used to run on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays from both ends and on a time-table similar to today's Shatabdi Express. On receiving a satisfactory response, the 12039/40 Shatabdi Express was introduced on the same slot on other four days. The first run was made on 17 March 2012. Later by May 2012, the frequency of the Shatabdi Express was increased to six days a week and the AC Special was done away with.

Service

The Kathgodam-bound train covers the distance of 282 kilometres in 05 hours 35 mins (49 km/h) while in the return direction it takes in 05 hours 35 mins (50 km/h). The service was initially slower but speeded up by 5 minutes and 20 minutes respectively in the time-table revision of 2014 but again slowed down by 10 minutes and 20 minutes respectively in the time-table revision of 2022.

The train is the slowest member of the Shatabdi category of trains owing to the steep gradients in the Lalkuan-Kathgodam section, and single-line operation after Rampur Junction.

Journey

The schedule of this 12039/12040 New Delhi - Kathgodam Shatabdi Express is given below:-

NDLS - KGM - NDLS Shatabdi Express
12040		Stations	12039
Arrival	Departure		Arrival	Departure
----	06:20	New Delhi	20:55	----
06:53	06:55	Ghaziabad Junction	20:08	20:10
08:51	08:56	Moradabad Junction	18:10	18:15
09:26	09:28	Rampur Junction	17:35	17:37
09:48	09:50	Bilaspur Road	16:55	16:57
10:01	10:03	Rudrapur City	16:41	16:43
10:45	10:48	Lal Kuan Junction	16:08	16:10
11:24	11:26	Haldwani	15:33	15:35
11:55	----	Kathgodam	----	15:20

The 12040 / 39 New Delhi–Kathgodam Shatabdi Express runs from New Delhi via Ghaziabad Junction, Moradabad, Rudrapur City to Kathgodam.

Being a Shatabdi class train, it returns to its originating station New Delhi at the end of the day.

Loco link

As the route is fully electrified, a WAP-7 locomotive powers the train for its entire journey.

Gallery

• 
  12039 New Delhi–Kathgodam Shatabdi Express with Ludhiana-based WDM-3A
• 
  12039 New Delhi–Kathgodam Shatabdi Express – Chair Car coach C10

Change in terminal

With effect from 11 December 2015, the Kathgodam-bound Shatabdi has been operating from the New Delhi railway station. Accordingly, the departure time of 12040 has been changed to 06:20 hrs instead of 06:00hrs. The revised arrival time of 12039 at New Delhi railway station is 20:50. The change in terminal will hugely benefit tourists as the New Delhi railway station is connected to the Airport Express (Orange Line) of Delhi Metro and is also closer to the Main Bazar in Paharganj, a popular destination for tourists.

External links

• "IRCTC Online Passenger Reservation System". irctc.co.in. Archived from the original on 3 March 2007. Retrieved 5 April 2014.