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I am not sure how many of us know the full history of Vikramshila Express. Having travelled in this train since early 80s, here is a brief history:
Mid 70s - Started as 167 up / 168 down Vikramshila Express from BGP to DLI. The train departed from BGP twice a week at 14:20 and reached NDLS at 10:55 next day. It was almost always in time. 1220 kms in 20:40 hours at average speed of 59 km/hr. Later the arrival time at NDLS was changed to 11:55. Train was hauled by steam engine till MGS and then Electric engine to NDLS. Stops were Jamalpur, Kiul, Mokama, Bakhtiarpur, Patna, Ara, Buxar, Mughalsarai, Allahabad, Kanpur.
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80s to July 2003 - Train was made daily and run combined with Magadh express. Both trains had about 8-10 coaches each and combined were about 18-20 coaches. The departure from BGP and arrival at NDLS was unchanged.
July 2003 - Vikramshila and Magadh were separated. Vikramshila started running between BGP and NDLS with it's full rake and no commercial stop between PNBE and NDLS. However, it is still slower than the original train.