Vivek Express - জেগে ওঠো, সচেতন হও এবং লক্ষ্যে না পৌঁছানো পর্যন্ত থেমো না - Dip

Sir- Thanks for the correction. Vikramshila and Magadh did run combined until 2003. I have edited the original post on history of Vikramshila.
However, you are incorrect in saying that VS never ran between BGP-NDLS with a full rake before July 2003. When VS started, it was a separate train with a full rake between BGP and NDLS running twice a week (BGP dep 14:20, NDLS arr 10.55) There was no Magadh Express at that time. I remember travelling in this Vikramshila in October 1983.
In 1984, Magadh Express was started (PNBE...
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dep 20:00, NDLS arr 11:55). Vikramshila from BGP with 8 coaches was combined with Magadh in PNBE with 10 coaches to make a 18 coach train between PNBE and NDLS. It was a complex train to run. Steam engine between BGP and KIUL, Diesel between KIUL and MGS, and Electric between MGS and NDLS. In PNBE the SLR/Guard coach from the end of the train had to be attached to the Vikramshila rake before it proceeded from PNBE to BGP, and similar coach redistribution was done during it's journey from BGP to NDLS. The pantry car operated only between PNBE and NDLS. It was extremely punctual. I must have taken this train from BGP to NDLS at least 20 times during 1985 and 1993 and it was almost always on time.