Double Decker Express

Double Decker Express
Jaipur–Delhi Sarai Rohilla AC Double Decker Express at Delhi Sarai Rohilla
Overview
Service typeSuperfast
System7
StatusOperational on 7 routes
LocaleUttar Pradesh, New Delhi, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan
PredecessorFlying Ranee
First service1979; 47 years ago (1979) (first double-deck trains)
1 October 2011; 14 years ago (2011-10-01) (Howrah–Dhanbad train became the first air-conditioned Double Decker Express)
SuccessorUday Express
Current operatorIndian Railways
Websitehttps://indianrail.gov.in
Route
Line used7
On-board services
ClassesNon-AC and AC Chair Car coaches
Seating arrangementsYes
Sleeping arrangementsNo
Catering facilitiesOn-board Catering and E-Catering
Observation facilitiesLarge windows in all carriages, Services operated by both state and corporate operators.
Entertainment facilitiesElectric outlets
Baggage facilitiesOverhead racks
Other facilitiesBio-vacuum toilets
Fire & Smoke detection and many more
Technical
Rolling stockLHB Double DeckerICF Double Decker
Track gauge1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
broad gauge
Electrification25 kV AC at 50 Hz
Operating speed130 km/h (81 mph)

Double Decker Express are a series of trains started by Indian Railways for shorter routes in order to serve more people than a traditional chair car carriage.

The Howrah–Dhanbad Double Decker Express was the first of its type to be introduced.

Rake

Double Decker Express are composed of bi-level seating arrangements for passengers with seating capacity of 120 seats,[1] divided into lower deck, upper deck and mezzanine seating area. The old Double Decker were non AC ICF coaches. In 2011, new fully-AC Stainless Steel LHB Double Decker were introduced in India. Stainless Steel LHB Coaches built at Kapurthala Coach Factory are utilized for AC Double Decker trains.

AC Double Decker Services

Currently operational train list
Train no.RouteDistance
12931/12932Mumbai Central–Ahmedabad Double Decker Express 491 km
22625/22626Chennai–Bangalore Double Decker Express359 km
12583/12584Lucknow Junction–Anand Vihar Terminal Double Decker Express479 km
12985/12986Jaipur–Delhi Sarai Rohilla AC Double Decker Express304 km
22707/22708Visakhapatnam–Tirupati Double Decker Express761 km

UDAY Express

In 2018, a new generation of Double Decker Express trains were introduced in Indian Railways named as UDAY Express - Utkrisht Double Decker Air Conditioned Yatri Express trains, designed by RDSO. The coaches of these trains have an anti-graffiti vinyl wrapped exterior and have been given a bright color scheme of yellow, orange and pink - somewhat similar to that of the Tejas Express. The UDAY express was envisioned as a premium train service for business travelers. According to Indian Railways, Uday Express will cater to the "busiest routes" and increase carrying capacity by 40%. These trains have airline styled seating with a capacity of 120 passengers per coach (50 for upper deck, 48 for lower deck and 22 on the ends) as compared to Shatabdis which can seat up to 78.[2][3][4] These coaches are also equipped with WiFi infotainment system, have information screens just like Humsafar Express and have small dining area in coaches. Uday Express can run at a maximum speed of 110 km/h and an average speed of 62 km/h.[citation needed]

Services

The first service was launched on 10 June 2018 between Coimbatore Junction and Bangalore[5] having halts at Krishnarajapuram, Kuppam, Salem Jn, Erode Jn, Tiruppur Jn and Coimbatore Jn. The second service was launched on 26 September 2019 between Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada with 7 stops en route, and was later extended till Guntur.

Train no.Train nameDistanceFrequencyZone
22665/22666KSR Bengaluru–Coimbatore Uday Express419 km

Daily

DailySouthern Railway zone
22701/22702Visakhapatnam–Guntur Uday Express384 km5 days a week except Thu, SunSouth Coast Railway zone

Defunct AC Double Decker Services

Formerly operational train list
Train no.RouteDistanceNotes
11085/11086
&
11099/11100		Lokmanya Tilak Terminus–Madgaon AC Double Decker Express 592 kmDiscontinued
22117/22118Guntur–Kacheguda AC Double Decker Express287 kmCancelled
22183/22184Habibganj–Indore Junction AC Double Decker Express259 kmDiscontinued due to low occupancy.
12385/12386Howrah–Dhanbad Double Decker Express263 kmThis train was the first AC Double Decker train in India. The train was stopped and discontinued after 8 November 2016 due to many challenges, low occupancy and poor performance.
22119/22110Kacheguda–Tirupati Double Decker Express636 kmCancelled

Defunct Non-AC Double Decker Services

Formerly operational train list
NameTrain no.RouteDistanceNotes
Sinhagad Express11009/11010Mumbai CSM Terminus–Pune192 kmFirst train to have double deck rake in India.[6] About ten coaches were attached but were removed eventually.
Deccan Queen Superfast Express12123/12124Mumbai CSM Terminus–Pune192 kmUsed to haul Double Decker bogies during 1980s but were eventually removed.[7]
Deccan Express11007/11008Mumbai CSM Terminus–Pune192 kmOne or two Double Decker coaches were added. This did not last for long and the coaches were removed.
Sahyadri Express11023/11024Mumbai CSM Terminus – Kolhapur518 kmHauled Double Decker coaches between Mumbai and Pune and vice versa. But today has Single Decker coaches only.
Panchvati Express12109/12110Mumbai CSM Terminus–Manmad258 kmThis train used to haul Non-AC Double Decker bogies in the 1990s.
Mumbai–Pune Passenger—Mumbai CSM Terminus–Pune192 kmThis train used to haul Double Decker bogies. This train has been shut down due to introduction of Mumbai CST–Sainagar Shirdi Fast Passenger / Mumbai CST–Pandharpur Fast Passenger / Mumbai CSMT–Vijapura Fast Passenger.
Flying Ranee12921/12922Mumbai Central–Surat263 kmThis train lost its double-decker coaches when it was upgraded to run with a new LHB rake in July 2023.[8]
Mumbai Central–Valsad Fast Passenger59023/59024Mumbai Central–Valsad195 kmThis train's double-decker coaches were retired and replaced with conventional ICF coaches in 5 January 2025.[9]

See also

References

  1. ^ "News of the non AC Double Decker (Oldest Double Decker) : Indian express.com". indianexpress.com. Retrieved 16 July 2023.
  2. ^ "Humsafar to Uday: With 4 new trains, Prabhu offers solutions to all". www.hindustantimes.com. 25 February 2016. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
  3. ^ "New train: Indian Railways UDAY Express from Coimbatore to Bengaluru soon; boasts of automatic food vending machines and LCD screens". The Financial Express. 3 July 2017. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
  4. ^ "UDAY Express: Indian Railways' new train for business travellers! Sneak-peek into interior; 15 stunning images". The Financial Express. 7 February 2018. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
  5. ^ "Uday Express: Coimbatore-Bengaluru double-decker train to run from June 10 - Decked up". The Economic Times. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
  6. ^ "Railway Budget speech 1979-80. First double decker service (page no.373)" (PDF). www.indianrailways.gov.in. Government of India, Ministry of Railways. 20 February 1979.
  7. ^ "Deccan Queen". Archived from the original on 28 November 2006. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
  8. ^ "No more double decker for Flying Ranee, new rake in". The Times of India. 17 July 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
  9. ^ "Mumbai's Iconic Non-AC Double-Decker Passenger Train Coaches To Be Phased Out & Replaced With Conventional Coaches". Free Press Journal. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
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