Black Diamond Express
The 22388 / 22389 Black Diamond Express is a super-fast mail-express train of Indian Railways, with effect from 1 July 2013, connecting Kolkata with Dhanbad. It is a day train and covers 271 kilometres (168 mi) at an average speed of 57 km/h (35 mph). It has AC chair car, second-class sitting, & general type of coaches. All classes except general class require prior reservation, whereas general coaches can be boarded with a general daily ticket. No pantry car is available in the train. The Tatkal scheme is available in this train.
_Black_Diamond_Express.jpg) (Dhanbad-Howrah) Black Diamond Express | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Service type | Superfast |
| Locale | West Bengal & Jharkhand |
| Current operator(s) | East Central Railways |
| Route | |
| Start | Howrah (HWH) |
| Stops | 14 |
| End | Dhanbad (DHN) |
| Distance travelled | 271 km (168 mi) |
| Average journey time | 4 hours 55 minutes |
| Service frequency | Daily |
| Train number(s) | 22388 / 22389 |
| On-board services | |
| Class(es) | CC Class, 2nd Seating, General Unreserved |
| Seating arrangements | Yes |
| Sleeping arrangements | No |
| Auto-rack arrangements | No |
| Catering facilities | E-Catering |
| Technical | |
| Rolling stock | ICF Coaches |
| Track gauge | 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) |
| Operating speed | 61 km/h (38 mph) average with halts |
Major stations through which it passes are Seorapheuli Junction, Bandel, Barddhaman Junction, Durgapur, Andal, Asansol etc..
It is hauled by a WAP 7 locomotive of Howrah loco shed. It is the twin train of the Coalfield Express, which runs from Dhanbad to Howrah as well. However, it runs through the Howrah-Bardhaman Main Line while Coalfield Express goes through the Howrah-Bardhaman Chord line. It is an important train, and runs during the office hours, hence it receives a high priority run.
As such, the train serves as a link between towns such as Bandel, Seoraphuli, which are located on the main line with industrial centers Durgapur, Asansol, Dhanbad and Bokaro (via-Dhanbad) and the metropolis of Kolkata.
Route & Halts
It runs, from Howrah via Seoraphuli, Bandel, Barddhaman, Mankar, Panagarh, Durgapur, Waria, Andal, Raniganj, Asansol, Sitarampur, Kulti, Barakar, Kumardubi to Dhanbad.
Locomotive
Both trains are hauls by a Howrah based WAP 7 locomotive end to end.
Accidents
On April 20, 2016, 22387 UP train's locomotive broke down shortly after leaving Bardhaman.
References
