Sarnath Express

The 15159 / 15160 Sarnath Express is an express train belonging to North Eastern Railway connecting Chhapra Junction with Durg Junction. Sarnath Express used to run between Varanasi Junction and Durg Junction, at present service extended up to Chhapra Junction.

Overview
Sarnath Express being numbered as No.15159 / 15160 running from Chhapra Junction with Durg Junction. The then Minister of Railways, Pawan Kumar Bansal announced during Railway Budget for 2013–2014 that the service will be extended up to Muzaffarpur Junction and Gonda Junction.

Route & halts

 * Chhapra Junction
 * Ballia
 * Ghazipur City
 * Varanasi Junction
 * Prayagraj Junction
 * Naini Junction
 * Manikpur Junction
 * Satna Junction
 * Maihar
 * Katni Junction
 * Shahdol
 * Anuppur Junction
 * Pendra Road
 * Uslapur
 * Raipur Junction
 * Bhilai
 * Durg Junction

Traction
It is hauled by a Kanpur Loco Shed based WAP-7 electric locomotive from Chhapra Junction to Prayagraj Junction, from Prayagraj Junction to Durg Junction it is hauled by an Itarsi Loco Shed based WAP-7 electric locomotive and vice versa.

Rakes
The service has one First A/C (HA1), two Second A/C (2A), eight Third A/C (3A) and 05 Sleeper Class (LS) of Couchette car type in addition to five General Class (UR/GS) of Corridor coach type and two Seating–Luggage rakes (SLR). During 16 March 2017, it was announced by North Eastern Railway zone that an additional Third A/C coach will be added to the existing for a period of three months from 19 March 2017 – 19 June 2017 for both up and down services.

Route
The service originates as Train.No.15159 from Chhapra Junction and traverses through Ghazipur City, Varanasi Junction, Allahabad Junction Katni Junction and makes loco reversals at Bilaspur Junction before it reaches final destination at Durg Junction. The return journey commences as Train.No.15160 and follows the same route to the destination at Chhapra Junction.