Black Diamond Express

The 22387 / 22388 Dhanbad – Howrah Black Diamond Express is a daily superfast passenger train that connects the city of Dhanbad in Jharkhand to the capital of West Bengal, Kolkata. It acts as a sister train / twin train to the Howrah – Dhanbad Coalfield Express.

History
Due to the close proximity of Dhanbad, known as the coal capital of India and a major industrial hub in Jharkhand, to key coal and industrial regions of West Bengal including Asansol, Raniganj, Andal, Waria, and Durgapur, along with its proximity to the state capital Kolkata, a significant number of passengers travel along this route daily. However, with the region experiencing population growth and increased industrial activity, the sole superfast daily connection between these cities, the Howrah – Dhanbad Coalfield Express, was struggling to meet the rising demand from passengers. Consequently, there was a strong demand for a new train to effectively address this passenger influx.

In response to this demand, Indian Railways launched the Black Diamond Express between Dhanbad and Howrah on July 1, 2013. This train serves as a counterpart to the Howrah – Dhanbad Coalfield Express, with the key distinction being that the Black Diamond Express is operated by East Central Railways, whereas the former is managed by Eastern Railways. Additionally, while the Howrah – Dhanbad Coalfield Express runs on the Barrdhaman – Howrah Chord line, the Black Diamond Express operates along the Howrah – Barrdhaman Main line.

Service
The 22387 Howrah – Dhanbad Black Diamond Express, departs Howrah at 06:15 hrs and arrives in Dhanbad at 11:18 hrs, traversing a distance of 271 km in 5 hrs 3 min, with an average speed of 54 km / hr and maximum permissible speed of 110 km / hr. The reverse train, that is 22388 Dhanbad – Howrah Black Diamond Express, departs Dhanbad at 16:20 hrs and arrives in Howrah at 21:20 hrs, covering the journey in 5 hrs, with an average speed of 54 km / hr. Enroute, the train stops at Seoraphuli, Bandel, Barrdhaman, Mankar, Panagarh, Durgapur, Waria, Andal, RaniGanj, Asansol, Sitarampur, Kulti, Barakar and Kumardubi stations. Initially, the train was inaugrated as 13317 / 13318 Howrah - Dhanbad Black Diamond Express. However, with the upgrading of this train to the superfast category, the train numbering was changed to 22387 / 22388.

The train is equipped with 22 ICF coaches. The coach composition includes,


 * Two air conditioned chair car coaches (C1 – C2)
 * Four non-air conditioned chair car coaches (D1 – D4)
 * Thirteen unreserved general coaches (GS / UR)
 * One unreserved ladies coach (LDS / UR)
 * Two seating cum luggage cars (SLR)

Traction and haulage
The train is hauled by the Deen Dayal Upadhyay based WAP-7 electric locomotive from end to end.