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Dual-cab SGUJ WDP-4D hauled NJP Shatabdi scorches the tracks at Dhaniakhali!!!
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Finally got one of the most desirable catch. Just a couple of days ago, a circular was published by IR officials, where they permitted WDP- 4D locomotives to an MPS ranging from 120 km/hr to 135 km/hr. And SGUJ shed did not waste any time to carry out the trial....
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Hauled by 40090 WDP- 4D (Dual Cab) of SGUJ shed, the 5 minutes before time running 12042 New Jalpaiguri (NJP)- Howrah (HWH) SHATABDI Express roars like a boss, and then scorches through the down reverse line near Dhaniakhali Halt station on HB Chord enroute. Today was the first time ever that a dual cab EMD entered Eastern Railways (ER) on commercial duties. And today was also the first time that NJP SHATABDI was given priority over 12024 Patna (PNBE)- Howrah (HWH) JAN SHATABDI Express, and was allowed to proceed first towards Howrah.
A few facts regarding the NJP Shatabdi are:
The first Shatabdi Express in India to be hauled by an EMD for the entire journey.
The first LHB train to use coaches manufactured by Rae Bareli Coach Factory.
The first LHB Shatabdi of ER and Eastern India.
The fastest diesel hauled Shatabdi in India, and one of the fastest diesel hauled train if IR.
This train is the fastest connecting train between North Bengal and South Bengal, and covers the 566 kms journey in 8 hours flat. The closest competitors for this train are the Darjeeling Mail, and Padatik Express, but those two trains take more than 10 hours. The train has been given an extremely aggressive schedule, where it have to maintain an average speed of 70 km/hr even after covering most of the journey through stretches where MPS varies between 90- 110 km/hr with numerous PSRs and TSRs.
The train departs NJP at 05:35, and reaches HWH at 13:35, and would again depart at 14:15, and reach NJP at 22:20. The train gives halts at Bolpur Shantiniketan, Malda Town and Kishanganj stations enroute.
Giving me company on the trip were railfans Sarbamit Chowdhury, Pramit Mitra and Sayantan Banerjee. Dedicating this video to railfan Somjit Sanyal, who is an avid EMD lover.