12339 / 12340 Howrah – Dhanbad Coalfield Express is a daily superfast train that connects the major coal and industrial city of Dhanbad, Jharkhand with the adjoining coal and industrial cities of Asansol, RaniGanj, Andal, Waria, and Durgapur with the capital city of West Bengal, Kolkata. This train is also known as the twin / sister train of the Dhanbad - Howrah Black Diamond Express.[1]
_Coal_Field_Express_02.jpg) 12340 Dhanbad - Howrah Coalfield Express (in its ICF avatar) skipping Chandanpur Railway Station with Howrah based WAP-4 electric locomotive | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Service type | Superfast |
| Status | Active |
| Locale | West Bengal & Jharkhand |
| First service | 1 March 1955 |
| Current operator(s) | Eastern Railway |
| Route | |
| Termini | Howrah (HWH) Dhanbad (DHN) |
| Stops | 11 |
| Distance travelled | 260 km (162 mi) |
| Average journey time | 04 hours 35 minutes |
| Service frequency | Daily |
| Train number(s) | 12339 / 12340 |
| On-board services | |
| Class(es) | AC Chair Car, Non-AC Chair Car & General Unreserved |
| Seating arrangements | Yes |
| Sleeping arrangements | No |
| Catering facilities | On-board catering, E-catering |
| Observation facilities | Large windows |
| Baggage facilities | Available |
| Technical | |
| Rolling stock | LHB coach |
| Track gauge | 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) |
| Operating speed | 57 km/h (35 mph) average with halts, 130 km/h (81 mph) maximum speed. |
| Rake maintenance | Howrah Division, Eastern Railway |
Schedule edit
The 12339 Howrah – Dhanbad Coalfield Express departs from Howrah at 17:20 hrs and arrives in Dhanbad at 21:55 hrs, covering the distance of 259 km in 4 hrs 35 min, with an average speed of 56 km / hr and maximum speed of 130 km / hr. On its return journey, the 12340 Coalfield Express departs from Dhanbad at 05:50 hrs and arrives in Howrah at 10:25 hrs; covering the distance in 4 hrs 35 min with an average speed of 56 km / hr.[2]
Coach composition and rake sharing edit
The train consists of modern LHB coaches: two AC Chair Car coaches (C1 and C2), four Non-AC Chair Car coaches (D1 to D4), nine Unreserved General coaches (UR), one Ladies Unreserved General coach (LDS-UR) one Sitting cum Luggage Rake coach (SLR) and one End on Generation (EOG) / Power car.[3]
The train shares its rake with the following trains:
- 12337 / 12338 Howrah – Bolpur (S) Shantiniketan Express
- 12341 / 12342 Howrah – Asansol Agnibina (Bidhan) Express
- 13011 / 13012 Howrah – Malda Town Intercity Express (Via Rampurahat)
Route and halts edit
Traction edit
_Coal_Field_Express.jpg)
_Coal_Field_Express.jpg)
It is hauled by a Howrah Loco Shed based WAP-7 electric locomotive on its entire journey.
References edit
- ^ Thakur, Jishnu. "12340/Coalfield Express - Dhanbad to Howrah ER/Eastern Zone - Railway Enquiry". indiarailinfo.com. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
- ^ Thakur, Jishnu. "12340/Coalfield Express - Dhanbad to Howrah ER/Eastern Zone - Railway Enquiry". indiarailinfo.com. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
- ^ Thakur, Jishnu. "12339/Coalfield Express - Howrah to Dhanbad ER/Eastern Zone - Railway Enquiry". indiarailinfo.com. Retrieved 21 April 2024.