NF Railway: Marking an important step towards green transportation, the first passenger train to run entirely on electric traction arrived in Guwahati on Friday.
The train No. 05956 Delhi – Kamakhya (Brahmaputra) Mail Special leaving from New Delhi reached Kamakhya station in Guwahati 1.30 pm covering more than 2000 Kms on electric traction, NF Railway said in a statement.
Similarly, in return direction, the train No. 05955 Kamakhya – Delhi (Brahmaputra) Mail Special left for Delhi from Kamakhya station at 2-30 pm on Friday through electric traction.
Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!
The train became the first Mail/Express train to run on electric traction up to Kamakhya station in Guwahati after successful operation of a parcel train on electric traction just a day before.
“Thus, the N. F. Railway begins a new era. Earlier on October 21, 2021, the NF Railway ran its first parcel train on electric traction up to Kamakhya station and achieved a historical moment for N. F. Railway and Northeast region.
After successful completion of Railway Electrification works up to Kamakhya station and authorization granted by CRS/N. F. Circle after inspection from October 7 to 9, the section from New Coochbehar to Kamakhya was opened for the operation of Electric Traction.
Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!
Also read : After 18-month Covid hiatus, Railways to resume catering services
With this, a total of 760 Route KM/1701 Track KM has been electrified on N. F. Railway.
Up till now, the trains with electric locomotives were coming from Katihar and Malda up to New Coochbehar, where the electric loco was being detached from the train and diesel locomotive was being attached for its onward journey.
Now with the completion of Railway Electrification works and commissioning of the section up to Kamakhya, these trains will come directly up to Kamakhya without change of traction.
As such, there will be direct connectivity from New Delhi to Kamakhya on Electric Traction without a change of locomotive en route.
Also read : NF Railway introduces electric traction up to Kamakhya station in Guwahati
There are numerous inherent benefits of electric traction i.e. higher speed potential enabling faster trains, saving of time and energy, increase energy efficiency with a higher power to weight ratio, regenerative breaking, higher hauling capacity with high horsepower locomotives, improved reliability and line capacity, pollution-free mode of transportation, cost-effective due to lesser maintenance and operating cost, etc.