Shonar Bangla Express

Shonar Bangla Express (Train no. 787/788) is an intercity train of Bangladesh Railway which runs between Dhaka (the capital of Bangladesh) and Chittagong.[1] Along with Suborno Express, Shonar Bangla Express has been considered one of the prestigious trains in Bangladesh.[2] The train connects the capital Dhaka with the port city Chittagong in Bangladesh.

Shonar Bangla Express
Shonar Bangla Express at Dhaka Biman Bandar Railway Station
Overview
StatusOperating
LocaleDhaka and Chittagong
First service25 June 2016 (2016-06-25)
Current operator(s)Bangladesh Railway
Websitehttp://www.railway.gov.bd/
Route
Stops1
Average journey time5 hours & 20 minutes
Service frequency7 days a week
On-board services
Catering facilitiesOn-board
Technical
Rolling stock
  • One 3000 Class Locomotive
  • Four ac Chair carriages
  • Three ac Cabin carriages
  • Three non ac Chair carriages
  • One non ac Cabin
  • One generator car
  • Two guard brake carriages with Buffet car

History

Shonar Bangla was introduced as a nonstop inter-city train that offers quality food and fast service. Since its inauguration, the train had started from Dhaka Railway Station . Shonar Bangla gets the 2nd top priority on Bangladesh Railway network. It only gives stoppage at Dhaka Airport Station. The fare of the train is similar with Suborno Express.From 2021,food price doesn't include with ticket supplied by Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation. On 16th of April, during an Eid Trip. Shonar Bangla derailed and hit a goods train in Nangalkot,Comilla at 6:30PM. 5 of the compartments have derailed and 50 have been injured with no deaths.

Schedule

The train departs Dhaka railway station at 07:00 AM (Bangladesh Standard Time) and arrives in Chittagong at 12:15 PM. On the return trip, it departs Chittagong at 05:00 PM and arrives in Dhaka at 10:05 PM. This train runs 6 days a week.[3]

Carriages

The train currently runs with 14 Indonesia-made red-green PT INKA air-brake coaches. However, sometimes the train pulls up to 18 coaches if there is compelling demand. These coaches were imported in 2016. However after the accident at 16th April 2023. 7 compartments was badly damaged to even be repaired. Shonar Bangla temporarily used South Korean coaches made by Sung Sing Rolling Stock Technology (SSRST) for the Eid Trips on April 19th after suspending Shonar Bangla Service for 3 days before switching to Indonesian Made PT-INKA

Locomotive

Shonar Bangla Express is hauled by a Class 3000 of Bangladesh Railway. The train needs an air-braked locomotive which is mandatory.

Stoppages

References
  1. "Dhaka-Chittagong train 'Sonar Bangla Express' launched". Bdnews24.com.
  2. "Luxury train hits Dhaka-Ctg route". The Daily Star.
  3. সুবর্ণ-সোনার বাংলা: সাপ্তাহিক বন্ধের দিন পরিবর্তন. Bangla News 24 (in Bengali).
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