Marudhar Express (via Faizabad)

The 14853 / 54 / 63 / 64 / 65 / 66 Jodhpur–Varanasi Junction Marudhar Express is an Express train belonging to Indian Railways – North Western Railway zone that runs between Jodhpur Junction & Varanasi Junction in India.

It operates as train number 14854 / 64 / 66 from Jodhpur Junction to Varanasi Junction and as train number 14853 / 63 / 65 in the reverse direction, serving the states of Uttar Pradesh & Rajasthan. It is the fastest train between Jaipur and Lucknow and one of the most important train of NWR.

The word Marudhar translates as Master of Air.

Coaches
The 14853 / 54 / 63 / 64 / 65 / 66 Jodhpur–Varanasi Junction Marudhar Express has 2 AC 2 tier, 3 AC 3 tier, 12 Sleeper class, 4 General Unreserved & 2 SLR (Seating cum Luggage Rake) coaches hence total 23 coaches. It does not carry a pantry car. As is customary with most train services in India, coach composition may be amended at the discretion of Indian Railways depending on demand.

Service

 * 14854 Jodhpur–Varanasi Junction Marudhar Express covers the distance of 1203 km in 24 hours 45 mins (48.61 km/h).
 * 14853 Varanasi Junction–Jodhpur Marudhar Express covers the distance of 1203 km in 24 hours 30 mins (49.10 km/h).
 * 14864 Jodhpur–Varanasi Junction Marudhar Express covers the distance of 1161 km in 22 hours 50 mins (50.85 km/h).
 * 14863 Varanasi Junction-Jodhpur Marudhar Express covers the distance of 1163 km in 23 hours 35 mins (49.31 km/h).
 * 14866 Jodhpur–Varanasi Junction Marudhar Express covers the distance of 1179 km in 23 hours 45 mins (49.64 km/h).
 * 14865 Varanasi Junction-Jodhpur Marudhar Express covers the distance of 1181 km in 23 hours 35 mins (50.08 km/h).

As the average speed of the train is below 55 km/h, as per Indian Railways rules, its fare does not include a Superfast surcharge.

Routeing
The 14853 / 54 / 63 / 64 / 65 / 66 Jodhpur–Varanasi Junction Marudhar Express runs from Jodhpur Junction via Degana Junction, Jaipur Junction, Bharatpur Junction, Agra Fort, Kanpur Central, Lucknow NR, thereafter Faizabad Junction (14854 / 53) or Sultanpur (14864 / 63) or Rae Bareli Junction (14866 / 65) to Varanasi Junction.

Traction
The entire route is yet to be fully electrified.


 * 14854 / 53 / 66 / 65 Jodhpur–Varanasi Junction Marudhar Express via Faizabad Junction & Rae Bareli Junction – a Bhagat Ki Kothi-based WDP-4 locomotive hauls the train from Jodhpur Junction up to Agra Fort handing over to a Ghaziabad-based WAP-4 or WAP-7 locomotive until Lucknow NR following which a Lucknow-based WDM-3A locomotive powers the train for the remainder of the journey.
 * 14864 / 63 Jodhpur–Varanasi Junction Marudhar Express via Sultanpur – a Bhagat Ki Kothi-based WDP-4 locomotive hauls the train from Jodhpur Junction up to Agra Fort handing over to a Ghaziabad-based WAP-4 or WAP-7 locomotive which powers the train for the remainder of the journey.

Operation

 * 14854 Jodhpur–Varanasi Junction Marudhar Express via Faizabad Junction leaves Jodhpur Junction every Monday, Thursday & Saturday and reaches Varanasi Junction the next day.
 * 14853 Varanasi Junction–Jodhpur Marudhar Express via Faizabad Junction leaves Varanasi Junction every Monday, Wednesday & Saturday and reaches Jodhpur Junction the next day.
 * 14864 Jodhpur–Varanasi Junction Marudhar Express via Sultanpur leaves Jodhpur Junction every Tuesday, Friday & Sunday and reaches Varanasi Junction the next day.
 * 14863 Varanasi Junction–Jodhpur Marudhar Express via Sultanpur leaves Varanasi Junction every Tuesday, Friday & Sunday and reaches Jodhpur Junction the next day.
 * 14866 Jodhpur–Varanasi Junction Marudhar Express via Rae Bareli Junction leaves Jodhpur Junction every Wednesday and reaches Varanasi Junction the next day.
 * 14865 Varanasi Junction–Jodhpur Marudhar Express via Rae Bareli Junction leaves Varanasi Junction every Thursday and reaches Jodhpur Junction the next day.