Service type Superfast Current operator(s) South Western Railway Stops 27 | Status Operating Start Vasco da Gama (VSG) | |
 | ||
Locale Goa, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh & Delhi | ||
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.
Contents
This train is similar to trains like Karnataka 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.
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 Division of Northern Railway. Post gauge-conversion when the BG train ran the entire route, the train's maintenance was transferred to the Hubli 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 enoute and enjoy the scenic Vasco Da Gama to Londa Junction rail route.
Accommodations
This train comprises 0.5 AC 1st Class, 2.5 AC 2-Tiers, 3 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.
AC 1st Class service available only in Hubli Nizamuddin Hubli Link portion.
Loco Link
Both Diesel and Electric Locomotives are used.
- Vasco da Gama - Londa WDP 4 or WDG 4 of Krishnarajapuram(IR Code:-KJM) Diesel shed of South Western Railway.
- Londa - Pune WDP4D of Pune Diesel Loco Shed.
- Pune - Hazrat Nizamuddin WAP-7 of Ghaziabad(IR code:-GZB) Electric Loco shed of Northern Railways.
The train also gets Twin WDG4 bankers of Hubli Shed in the Braganza Ghats between Kulem to Castlerock.
Time Table
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
Direction Reversal
Train Reverses its direction 3 times