Ahmedabad Kolkata Express, also known as Sare Jahan Se Achchha Express, is an Indian express train. Ahmedabad Kolkata Express travels from Kolkata railway station to Ahmedabad railway station, a distance of in 57 hours and 10 mins. The train was the first express train to travel from Chitpur railway station (Kolkata) to Ahmedabad railway station. It is hauled by a Tughlakabad (TKD) WAG 9 locomotive, and then to Ahmedabad Junction (ADI) by a Patratu or Abu Road based WDM 3A.
History
The Ahmedabad Kolkata Epress initially traveled between Chitpur railway station and Ajmer Junction railway station as a 13 coach train. Later the terminating station was changed to Ahmedabad railway station via Ajmer.
Route
The train ran from Ahmedabad to Kolkata via Ajmer, Ratlam, Bhopal, Chopan, Barkakana, Dhanbad and Asansol. The train was rerouted in 2021 and now it goes from Ahmedabad to Chhayapuri, Ratlam, Sant Hirdaram Nagar, Chopan, Barkakana, Dhanbad and Asansol to reach Kolkata Chitpur.
Direction Reversal
The train used to reverse its directions 5 times at Ajmer, Ratlam, Bhopal, Chopan and Barkakana. It had the highest number of direction reversals in India. The new route reversed direction twice, at Chopan and Barkakana.
Service
The trains have normal priority on the Indian railway network. They offer four classes of service: Second Class AC 2-tier (bays of 4 berths + 2 berth on the side) with open system berth, Second Class AC 3-tier (bays of 6 berths + 2 berths on the side) with open system berth and Second class 3 tier sleeper (bays of6 berths + 2 berths on the side). Generally it has 1 AC 2-Tiers, up to 2 AC 3-Tiers ( both of which may be increased according to demand). It has no pantry car, 7 UR (Unreserved) and 2 SLR (Second-class Luggage/parcel van + guard van ('G' missing).
The train covers a distance of in nearly 42 hrs.
