Howrah–Vasco da Gama Amaravati Express

The Howrah–Vasco da Gama Amaravati Express is an Express train belonging to South Eastern Railway zone that runs between Shalimar railway station and Vasco da Gama in India. It is currently being operated with 18047/18048 train numbers on four days in week basis.

Introduction
The train is named after the famous capital city of Satavahana dynasty, Amaravati which stands in present-day Guntur district.

It is the only train connecting the states of West Bengal and Goa directly and between Kolkata and Goa.The train is highly preferred by tourists and nature lovers, because it runs through the coastal Goa, the Deccan Plateau, coastal Andhra and Orissa and the spectacular Braganza Ghats of Western Ghats, where it meets the world-famous Dudhsagar Falls.

The 18047/Amaravati Express has an average speed of 53 km/h and covers 2121 km in 40h 15m. The 18048/Amaravati Express has an average speed of 54 km/h and covers 2121 km in 39h 30m.

Timings
The 18047/Amaravati Express departs from Shalimar railway station at 23:30 IST (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday) and arrives Vasco da Gama at 15:45 IST (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday). The 18048/Amaravati Express departs from Vasco da Gama at 7:10 IST (Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday) and arrives Shalimar railway station at 22:40 IST (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday).

Halts
The important halts of the train are:

WEST BENGAL
 * 1) Shalimar railway station
 * 2) Kharagpur Junction

ODISHA
 * 1) Balasore
 * 2) Bhadrak
 * 3) Jajpur Keonjhar Road
 * 4) Cuttack Junction
 * 5) Bhubaneswar
 * 6) Khurda Road Junction
 * 7) Brahmapur

ANDHRA PRADESH
 * 1) Palasa
 * 2) Srikakulam Road
 * 3) Vizianagaram Junction
 * 4) Visakhapatnam Junction
 * 5) Duvvada
 * 6) Samalkot Junction
 * 7) Rajahmundry
 * 8) Tadepalligudem
 * 9) Eluru
 * 10) Vijayawada Junction
 * 11) Guntur Junction
 * 12) Narasaraopet
 * 13) Vinukonda
 * 14) Donakonda
 * 15) Markapur Road
 * 16) Cumbum
 * 17) Giddalur
 * 18) Nandyal
 * 19) Bethamcherla
 * 20) Dhone Junction
 * 21) Maddikera
 * 22) Guntakal Junction

KARNATAKA
 * 1) Ballari Junction
 * 2) Toranagallu
 * 3) Hosapete Junction
 * 4) Koppal
 * 5) Gadag Junction
 * 6) Hubli Junction
 * 7) Dharwad
 * 8) Londa Junction
 * 9) Castle Rock

GOA
 * 1) Kulem
 * 2) Sanvordem
 * 3) Madgaon Junction
 * 4) Vasco da Gama

Available classes
The train has standard ICF rakes with a maximum speed of 110 km/h. The train consists of 20 coaches:


 * 1 AC II Tier
 * 3 AC III Tier
 * 9 Sleeper coaches
 * 3 General Unreserved
 * 2 Seating cum Luggage Rake
 * 1 High-Capacity Parcel Van
 * 1 Refrigerator car

At Guntakal, 4 coaches of Prashanti Nilayam Express are attached/detached as slip coaches. It consists of:


 * 1 AC II Tier
 * 1 AC III Tier
 * 1 Sleeper class
 * 1 Seating cum Luggage Rake

Coach composition
Howrah–Guntakal–Howrah:

Guntakal–Vasco da Gama–Guntakal:

Traction
The train is hauled by a Santragachi-based WAP-4 electric locomotive from Howrah to Visakhapatnam Junction. From Visakhapatnam Junction, it is hauled by Vijayawada-based WAP-4 electric locomotive up to Guntakal Junction. From Guntakal Junction, train is hauled by Gooty-based WDM-3A twin/WDG-3A twin diesel locomotive up to Vasco da Gama and vice versa.

For the Braganza Ghats, the 1:37 gradient requires the use of Bank engine on the way to Kulem to Castle Rock. The 18048/Amaravati Express gets Hubli-based WDG-4s as bankers.

Direction reversal
Train reverses its direction 1 time:


 * Visakhapatnam Junction