Agra–Bhopal section

Agra–Bhopal section
Overview
Status Operational
Termini Agra
Bhopal
Operation
Opened 1889
Owner Indian Railway
Operator(s) North Central Railway
West Central Railway
Depot(s) Jhansi, Gwalior, Dhaulpur
Rolling stock WDM-2, WDM-3A, WDM-3D, WDG-3A, WDS-6, WDG-4, WAG-5HA / WAG5HB, WAG-7, NDM-5, ZDM-3, WDS-4, WDM-2S,WAP-4,WAP-5,WAP-7,WAG-9
Technical
Track length Mainline: 508 km (316 mi)
Branch lines:
Gwalior-Bhind 82 km (51 mi)
Gwalior-Sheopur Kalan NG 199 km (124 mi)
Jhansi-Kanpur 220 km (137 mi)
Number of tracks 2
Track gauge 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) broad gauge
Electrification 1984-89
Operating speed up to 160 km/h

The Agra–Bhopal section is a railway line connecting the 16-17th century capital of the Mughals, Agra and Bhopal, capital of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. This 508 km (316 mi) track is part of the Delhi-Chennai line. The line is under the jurisdiction of North Central Railway and West Central Railway.

History

The Agra-Gwalior line was opened by the Maharaja of Gwalior in 1881 and it became the Scindia State Railway. The Indian Midland Railway built the Gwalior-Jhansi line and the Jhansi-Bhopal line in 1889.[1] The Agra-Gwalior-Jhansi-Bhopal line became part of the Delhi-Chennai line in 1929.[2]

The Jhansi-Kanpur line was constructed by the Indian Midland Railway in 1889.[1]

The Gwalior-Bhind line was opened as a 610 mm (2 ft) wide narrow gauge line in 1899.[1] It was converted to broad gauge in 2001.[3]

The Gwalior-Sheopur Kalan 610 mm (2 ft) wide narrow gauge line was constructed between 1904 and 1909.[2]

Electrification

The Agra-Gwalior sector was electrified in 1984-85, the Gwalior-Babina sector in 1986-87, Babina-Bareth sector in 1987-88, and Bareth-Bhopal sector in 1988-89.[4] The Jhansi-Kanpur branch line was recently electrified in 2013 and has become operational with electric locomotives.

Speed limits

The Delhi-Chennai Central line (Grand Trunk route) is classified as a "Group A" line which can take speeds up to 160 km/h. For the BG branch lines speed limit is generally 100 km/h.[5]

Bhopal Shatabdi Express, the fastest train in India, powered by a WAP-5 loco, travels along this line.[6] The Chennai Rajdhani Express, which runs at an average speed (including halts) of 77.23 km/h.[7][8] uses this line.

Passenger movement

Agra Cantt., Gwalior, Jhansi and Bhopal are amongst the top hundred booking stations of Indian Railway.[9]

Loco sheds

Jhansi diesel loco shed holds 125+ locos including WDM-2, WDM-3A, WDM-3D, WDG-3A, WDS-6, WDG-4. Jhansi electric loco shed holds 180+ locos including WAG-5HA / WAG5HB, WAG-7. Gwalior NG diesel loco shed houses NDM-5 locos and carries out periodic overhaul. Dhaulpur NG diesel loco shed holds ZDM-3 locomotives used for Dhaulpur - Tantpur / Sirmuttra section. Agra diesel loco shop houses WDS-4, WDM-2S locos. The shed caters to the loco requirement for shunting at major NCR stations and the Jhansi Workshop.[10]

Workshops

Jhansi has the largest workshop in Indian Railways for periodic overhaul of freight wagons. Broad Gauge Coach Workshop at Bhopal handles rebuilding and overhaul of old passenger coaches. Gwalior Coaching Workshop handles narrow gauge coaches.[10]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "IR History: Early Days – II". Chronology of railways in India, Part 2 (1870-1899). Retrieved 20 November 2013.
  2. 1 2 "IR History: Early Days – III". Chronology of railways in India, Part 3 (1900-1947). Retrieved 20 November 2013.
  3. "Indian Narrow Gauge Lines in Late 2002 and Late 2003". Retrieved 20 November 2013.
  4. "History of Electrification". IRFCA. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
  5. "Chapter II – The Maintenance of Permanent Way". Retrieved 20 November 2013.
  6. "India's fastest train flagged off". rediff.com. 2006-02-15. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
  7. "Rajdhani Express - 12433". MakeMyTrip.com. Archived from the original on 21 December 2013. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
  8. "Chennai Rajdhni - 12434". MakeMyTrip.com. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
  9. "Indian Railways Passenger Reservation Enquiry". Availability in trains for Top 100 Booking Stations of Indian Railways. IRFCA. Archived from the original on 10 May 2014. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
  10. 1 2 "Sheds and workshops". IRFCA. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
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