Gatiman Express

The 12049 / 12050 Gatiman Express is an express train run by Indian Railways.^[3] It connects Hazrat Nizamuddin in Delhi and Jhansi railway stations. It is a Shatabdi Category Express, and is the Second Fastest Train in India after the Delhi-Rani Kamlapati Vande Bharat Express. The train is hauled by a WA-P5, the fastest locomotive apart from Vande Bharat in Indian Railways Operation.^[4]

Gatiman Express
Overview
Service type	Shatabdi Express
Status	Operational
First service	5 April 2016; 9 years ago (2016-04-05) (Inaugural run) 19 February 2018; 7 years ago (2018-02-19) (Extended to Gwalior Junction) 1 April 2018; 7 years ago (2018-04-01) (Extended to Virangana Lakshmibai Junction)
Current operator(s)	Indian Railways IRCTC
Website	https://indianrailways.gov.in/
Route
Termini	Hazrat Nizamuddin (NZM) Virangana Lakshmibai Jhansi Junction (VGLJ)
Stops	Agra Cantt Gwalior Junction
Distance travelled	403 km (250 mi)
Service frequency	6 days a week (Except Friday)
Train number(s)	12049[1] / 12050[2]
On-board services
Class(es)	AC Chair Car (CC), Executive class (EC)
Seating arrangements	Yes
Sleeping arrangements	No
Catering facilities	Yes
Observation facilities	Large windows
Baggage facilities	Overhead racks
Other facilities	Smoke Alarms Passenger Information System
Technical
Rolling stock	LHB coach
Track gauge	1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) Broad gauge
Electrification	25 kV AC at 50 Hz
Operating speed	Max: 130 km/h (81 mph)
Track owner(s)	Indian Railways
Rake maintenance	Indian Railways
Route map Legend 12050 ↓ Hazrat Nizamuddin New Delhi Uttar Pradesh border Agra Cantonment Uttar Pradesh Madhya Pradesh border Gwalior Junction Madhya Pradesh Uttar Pradesh border 12049 ↑ Virangana Lakshmibai Jhansi Junction

The train is equipped with a 5,400HP electric locomotive and has 12 coaches which covers the 403 km (250 mi) journey in 4 hours 25 minutes at an average speed of 91 km/h (57 mph).^[5] As of 2024^[update], the train achieves the maximum operational speed achieved by any operating train in India with a speed of 160 km/h (99 mph) on the Tughlakabad–Agra section.^[6][7] The train runs six days a week.^[8]

In October 2014, Indian Railways applied for a safety certificate from the Commission of Railway Safety to start the service and the train was officially announced in June 2015.^[9] The first service ran on 5 April 2016 from Hazrat Nizamuddin and Agra Cantonment.^[10][11] The train was extended from Agra to Gwalior on 19 February 2018 and then to Virangana Lakshmibai junction on 1 April 2018.^[12]

In 2024, the loco pilot and assistant loco pilot of the train violated the advisory speed limits between Jajau and Mania railway stations.^[13] In June 2024, the maximum speed of the train was reduced from 160 km/h to 130 km/h until the installation of the Kavach autonomous train protection system on the route.^[14][15]

The Train is famous in Western Media, for being one of the Fastest Trains in India, but has a Lot of negative reviews for Poor Maintenance and Hostile Crew. It runs on the Delhi-Jhansi sector, Indias busiest rail line. There have been no reported casualties or incidents on this train. Very Few Locals have also taken this train, as fares can be 3 to 4 times higher than that of a AC 2 Tier on a normal express/superfast.

See also

• High-speed rail in India