Kolkata–Guwahati Garib Rath Express


The 12517 / 12518 Kolkata - Guwahati Garib Rath Express is a Garib Rath class train of Indian Railways, which connects the state capital of West Bengal, Kolkata to the state capital of Assam, Guwahati. The train is operated by the North East Frontier Railway Zone of the Indian Railways.

A brief history

This train service was inaugurated on March 29, 2008. During the COVID-19 pandemic, all the train services throughout India was cancelled, including this one. However, after the resumption of the train services post pandemic, this train was not resumed. Instead, it was being run as an air-conditioned special train with Linke-Hoffman Busch coaches.
This service was scrapped and re-introduced again and again due to its poor patronage. Finally, on June 21, 2024, the North East Frontier Railway Zone informed the public that the Kolkata - Guwahati Garib Rath Express would be restored from July onwards, practically regularising the special train. The first service commenced on July 6, 2024.

Service

  • The 12517 Kolkata - Guwahati Garib Rath Express leaves at 21:45 hrs every Thursday and reaches the next day at 15:55 hrs. It covers the journey in 18 hours 10 minutes averaging at.
  • The 12518 Guwahati – Kolkata Garib Rath Express leaves at 21:00 hrs every Saturday and reaches the next day at 14:30 hrs. It covers the journey in 17 hours 30 minutes averaging at.

Coach composition

This train runs with 22 Linke-Hoffman Busch Third AC economy coaches. It has a single rake, which it shares with the Kolkata - Agartala Garib Rath Express. The primary maintenance is executed at and the secondary maintenance at.
Coach Position of 12517
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Coach Position of 12518
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Passengers are advised to check the coach position indicators at the station before boarding.

Traction

The train is hauled by a Howrah based WAP-4 or a based WAP-7 electric locomotive till New Cooch Behar station. From there, it is hauled by a Siliguri based WDP-4 or a WDP-4D diesel locomotive to its destination.

Route and halts

The stoppages are:-

Other trains on the Kolkata–New Jalpaiguri sector