8 Trains Route Changed. Old Black Diamond Express Will be Discontinued. New LHB Rail Will Run.

Passengers traveling on the Black Diamond Express between Dhanbad and Howrah will soon bid farewell to the decades-old, outdated coaches. The Indian Railways has announced that this train will be upgraded with modern LHB (Linke Hofmann Busch) coaches. The new LHB coaches will be operational from January 10, 2025, on the Dhanbad to Howrah route, and from January 11, 2025, on the Howrah to Dhanbad route.

Reduction in Number of Coaches

While the switch to LHB coaches will provide more comfort, there will be a reduction in the number of coaches. Currently, the Black Diamond Express runs with 22 coaches, but starting in January, it will operate with 16 coaches.

Coalfield Express Configuration

The Black Diamond Express and the Coalfield Express complement each other, with one running in the morning and the other in the evening. The Coalfield Express operates with 18 coaches, which include 9 general coaches and 4 reserved coaches. In contrast, the Black Diamond Express will have only 6 general coaches and 6 reserved coaches starting in January. The current setup of 14 general coaches often leads to overcrowding, and reducing the number of general coaches is expected to increase the problem of congestion for passengers.

Timing Changes for Long-Distance Trains

Additionally, two long-distance trains passing through Dhanbad will see changes in their timings on specific dates.

• The Pratap Express (Bikaner to Kolkata) and the Madar-Kolkata Express will have new arrival and departure times at key stations such as Asansol, Raniganj, and Durgapur.

Train Timing Adjustments

1. On October 28, 2024, the 19608 Madar-Kolkata Express will arrive at Asansol from 11:54 AM to 12:15 PM instead of its previous time of 11:55 AM to 12:20 PM.
2. The 19608 Madar-Kolkata Express will also adjust its stop at Raniganj from 12:31 PM to 12:33 PM, and at Durgapur from 12:55 PM to 12:57 PM.
3. The 12495 Bikaner-Kolkata Pratap Express, scheduled for October 31, will arrive at Asansol at 9:49 AM and depart at 9:54 AM, earlier than its previous time of 9:54 AM to 9:59 AM.
4. At Durgapur, the Pratap Express will now arrive at 10:22 AM and depart at 10:24 AM, instead of the original time of 10:27 AM to 10:29 AM.

Route Changes for Other Trains

Several other trains will also experience route changes during this period:

1. 19608 Madar-Kolkata Weekly Express will run via Katni Murwara, Satna, Prayagraj Chheoki, PDDU, Son Nagar, and Garhwa Road on October 21 and October 28.
2. 19607 Kolkata-Madar Weekly Express will follow the same route on October 17 and October 24.
3. 13025 Howrah-Bhopal Weekly Express will operate via the same route on October 21 and October 28.
4. 13026 Bhopal-Howrah Weekly Express will run via this route on October 23.
5. 19413 Ahmedabad-Kolkata Weekly Express will follow the same route on October 23.
6. 19414 Kolkata-Ahmedabad Weekly Express will operate on October 19 and October 26.
7. 18009 Santragachi-Ajmer Express will run via the same route on October 18 and October 25.
8. 18010 Ajmer-Santragachi Express will follow the same route on October 20 and October 27.

Train Route, Timings, and Fare Information