Indian Railways’ first Rajdhani Express train (Kolkata-New Delhi) celebrates Golden Jubilee; check PHOTOS

Kolkata Rajdhani Express was the first Rajdhani Express train and the very first fully air-conditioned train introduced by the Indian Railways.  |  Photo Credit: Twitter

New Delhi: The first Rajdhani Express of the Indian Railways network has completed 50 years on March 3, 2019. The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) is celebrating the Golden Jubilee of its very first Rajdhani Express train -- Kolkata Rajdhani Express -- wheeled for the first time from Howrah to New Delhi on March 3, 1969. Kolkata Rajdhani Express was the first Rajdhani Express train and the very first fully air-conditioned train introduced by the Indian Railways.

During the course of the first few months of the launch, Kolkata Rajdhani Express was a bi-weekly train at that time. Kolkata Rajdhani Express on its maiden trip was hauled by a diesel locomotive engine on its entire route of 1,445 kilometres with a maximum speed of 120 kilometres per hour. Initially, Kolkata Rajdhani Express was equipped with 9 vacuum-braked coaches including 2 power cars, 5 AC chair card, 1 AC dining car and 1 AC first class coach built at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Perambur. 

“The first Rajdhani Express of Indian Railways is celebrating the Golden Jubilee (1969-2019). This India first fully Air Conditioned Kolkata Rajdhani train have completed 50 glorious years in passenger service. It received a warm welcome at New Delhi Stn this morning,” Northern Railway said in a tweet on March 4, 2019.

“Commemorative postal stamp released today on the occasion of celebration of Golden Jubilee Run of Howrah-New Delhi Rajdhani Express,” Eastern Railway tweeted.

“Greetings Card distributed to all passengers of Howrah-New Delhi Rajdhani Express today on the occasion of celebration of Golden Jubilee Run of Kolkata Rajdhani Express,” Eastern Railway said in a separate tweet.

From November 1, 1971, Kolkata Rajdhani Express began to ply with an increased maximum speed of 130 kilometres per hour. Following the ease to the passengers and increased demand, Kolkata Rajdhani Express started running for 4 times in a week from April 1, 1983, onwards and later, from October 1, 1986, onwards, the frequency of Kolkata Rajdhani Express was extended to 5 days in a week. Kolkata Rajdhani Express made the journey of 1,445 kilometres from Kolkata to Delhi possible in 17 hours and 20 minutes.

On April 30, 1984, Vacuum Brake ICF coaches converted to ICF Air Brake coaches. Later from May 19, 2003, the frequency of Kolkata Rajdhani Express was further elevated to 6 days a week. In 2006, the Kolkata Rajdhani Express was upgraded with the introduction of Linke Hofmann Bosch (LHB) coaches, manufactured at Railway Coach Factory, Kapurthala under the license from LHB, Germany. 

Following the periodic modification of the Kolkata Rajdhani Express, facilities such as non-stop supply to laptop and mobile charging sockets, replacement of LED light in place of the halogen lamp and high-quality washroom hardware were introduced. At present, Kolkata Rajdhani Express comprises of 20 LHB coaches consisting of 2 AC first class, 5 AC 2-tier, 10 AC 3-tier, 1 pantry car and 2 power cars-cum-luggage vans.