Sikkim Mahananda Express

The 15483 / 15484 Sikkim Mahananda Express is an Indian Express train connecting the cities of Old Delhi and Alipurduar. This is a direct train origination from Old Delhi to Alipurduar Junction. The train connects the Eastern and Northern regions, as well as parts of India in the Bihar & Uttar Pradesh areas.

The name of the train is derived from the Mahananda River, which runs through North Bengal, Eastern Bihar and Bangladesh.

As the entire route is not electrified, the train runs with both an electric and diesel locomotive. Usually the train gets a WDP-4/WDP-4B from the Siliguri Diesel Loco Shed for the non-electrified territory and a WAP-4 electric locomotive in the electrified section.

History
The train when introduced used to run from Katihar Junction to Delhi as train number(s) 983/984. This train was later extended to New Jalpaiguri with train number(s) 4083/4084. Finally the train was extended to Alipurduar Junction.

Route and halts
The important stops of this train are;


 * 1) Delhi Junction
 * 2) Delhi Shahdara Junction
 * 3) Ghaziabad Junction
 * 4) Aligarh Junction
 * 5) Tundla Junction
 * 6) Firozabad
 * 7) Etawah Junction
 * 8) Kanpur Central
 * 9) Prayagraj Junction
 * 10) Vindhyachal
 * 11) Mirzapur
 * 12) Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction
 * 13) Buxar
 * 14) Ara Junction
 * 15) Danapur
 * 16) Patna Junction
 * 17) Bakhtiyarpur Junction
 * 18) Mokama
 * 19) New Barauni Junction
 * 20) Begusarai
 * 21) Khagaria Junction
 * 22) Narayanpur Anant
 * 23) Thana Bihpur Junction
 * 24) Naugachia
 * 25) Katihar Junction
 * 26) Barsoi Junction
 * 27) Kishanganj
 * 28) Aluabari Road Junction
 * 29) Bagdogra
 * 30) Siliguri Junction
 * 31) New Mal Junction
 * 32) Binnaguri Junction
 * 33) Dalgaon
 * 34) Hasimara
 * 35) Alipurduar Junction

Traction
Both trains are hauled by a Ghaziabad Loco Shed-based WAP-7 electric locomotive from Old Delhi  to Alipurduar Junction and vice versa.

Trivia
In a rare occurrence Sikkim Mahananda Express crosses the Mahananda River five times. The train is named after this river.

Train schedule
Train No.15484 leaves Delhi (DLI) at 07:35 AM and reach to the destined stop Alipurduar Junction (APDJ) at 08:20 PM on day after another. Train No.15483 leaves Alipurduar Junction (APDJ) at 10:30 AM and reach to the destined stop Delhi (DLI) at 09:45 PM on day after another. During the journey of approximately 38 hours the train goes via 56 stations before reaching its destination.

Accommodations
This train comprises 1 first AC [2-Tiers+3-Tiers], 10 AC 3-Tiers, 4 Sleeper class, 2Unreserved General Compartment, 1 Pantry car & 1 Luggage/Parcel and engine generator car is provided with the Guards' cabin. Total coach composition is 24.