Two Long distance Express and passenger trains with 100+ stops have been highlighted.
-Dist-NoOf-Journy-Avg-------TRAIN DETAILS
-KMS-Stop-Time---Speed-----NO.-----Dest.1-Dest2-Tr ain Name------No. of Coaches
-1976-112-45:25hrs-44kmph-13007-HWH-SGNR-UdyanAbha Exp-14(1B,5S,4GN,2HCP,2SLR)
-1976-107-46:30hrs-43kmph-13008-SGNR-HWH-UdyanAbha Exp-14(1B,5S,4GN,2HCP,2SLR)
-1925-111-44:30hrs-43kmph-13049-HWH-ASR-Exp-14(2B,...
more... 4S,5GN,1MIL,2SLR)
-0723-119-30:00hrs-24kmph-53041-HWH-Jaynagar Passenger-10(8GN,2SLR)
-0723-107-27:35hrs-26kmph-53042-Jsynagar HWH Passenger-10(8GN,2SLR)
-0874-108-26:35hrs-33kmph-58112-Itwari-TATA Passenger-15(4SL,7GN,2HCP,2SLR)
* Above is a matter neither of shame nor of fame. But this report gives a very good clue to IR, to rationalize or recast its very old trains which have outlived its utility, and need to be reintroduced in a new format
* The long distance Express trains with large number of stops, were introduced several decades ago, to give connectivity between Metros and smaller towns/ bigger villages. At that time there was no trend of Super Fast Trains on IR network, and no facility of computerized reservation was there to facilitate persons staying far away from main Rly stns. Above trains were really useful at that time.
* But today there are many SF trains on most of the routes which does not stop at very small stations. The persons residing in the small stations can book reservation in these trains through PRS/ PO/ online booking and board these SF trains (much faster) at nearest stop.
* Presence of only 10 passenger coaches (+2HCP+2SLR) in both the above trains inspite of running on high passenger traffic routes shows that they are not popular enough.
* Passenger trains are the most loss making trains for IR due to very low fares and very low distance covered every day. IR should promote longer journeys (more than 300-400kms) by express trains and run of passenger trains should be restricted to a maximum of about 500 kms, so that the journey is accomplished in about 17 hrs and rake is available for return journey next day. Itwari-TATA pax can be converted into Itwari-HWH Exp with elimination of some stops and speeding up and augmentation with more AC & SL coaches.
* Very slow long distance express trains (like 13007/8, 13049/50 etc) with a large number of stops need to be speeded up by eliminating some stops with lower ticket sales and augmented with more AC & SL coaches. However convenient passenger train connection should be ensured for the residents of very small towns to board the faster trains from nearest stop.
