LKO/Lucknow Charbagh NR (9 PFs)

Local Name: Badi line

लखनऊ चारबाग़ (उत्तर रेलवे)

(لکھنؤ چارباغ (سمال ریلوے

Track: Construction - Electric-Line Tripling

Systematic/Dramatic change in our very own 12429/30 NDLS-LKO-NDLS AC Express
* It commenced its journey in the year 2008 (please confirm) as a triweekly AC Express (12233/34) between Lucknow and New Delhi with almost identical timings from both the ends. Days of operations were: Sun,Tues,Fri for 12233 and Mon,Wed,Sat for 12234.
* Between these two stations, a triweekly Duronto (12271/72) was started on feb 07/08, 2010 with Moradabad as sole halt (technical), on alternate days of the weeks. This left only one day of the week, when a train was not available...
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on the same timings from Lucknow and New Delhi. Days of operations were: Mon,Thus,Sat for 12271 and Sun,Tues,Fri for 12272
* Interestingly, amongst rail fans, it was the topic of discussion whether these siblings share their apparels (RAKES) or enjoy their own. Another, topic of HOT discussion used to be to extend this train to GKP, BSB, bla bla stations.
* Back then, this train was used to be hauled by not-so-advanced WDM3A locos of LKO, TKD sheds, which added charm into its beauty with hard chugging. Although as rail enthusiasts claim, it was also seen roaming with stud WDP-4 loco, sometimes.

* It is to be noted here that after receiving suggestions from rail fans/passengers, IR decided to collapse these two trains to form a single train to run daily since jun 15/16, 2014 between these two stations, keeping the timings as well as the run-time intact.
* Money minded IR, then categorized this new baby as Rajdhani Express, where food cost was not included in the train fare, because of the scheduled late departure at night from LKO/NDLS and scheduled early arrival in the morning at NDLS/LKO.
* But, still after being upgraded to rajdhani class, its boyfriend remaimed the same, i.e. WDM-3A class.
* At that point of time, there was some confusion over its source station in UP direction, when IR made up its mind to hand over this train to NER (LJN) instead of NR (LKO) and thought of giving a new identification number i.e. 12529/12530. However, after some rounds of meetings by the officials, it was finally agreed upon to continue its service
from untidy station of NR i.e. LKO instead of tidy station of NER i.e. LJN and then it finally received its number as 12429/30, proving an NR train. Here, the main motive of shifting this train from LKO to LJN, was to unclog the busy LKO station.
* Furthermore, after couple of months, with displeasure/opposition/confusion of passengers over its Rajdhani status, it was again converted into an AC Express since Aug 16, 2015.
* Once, IR experimented on this overnight train by adding an AC chair car coach into it. Although, it was removed after couple of journeys for some reason. It is heard, that this AC chair car used to go fully packed to its capacity.
* Rail enthusiasts were cheered when they came around WDP-4 class locos, which are not only fuel efficient but also having faster acceleration than their previous counterparts, hauling this train regularly.
* But again, with the electrification of much awaited GZB-MB section, this train was made to ditch its stud boyfriend (WDP-4) again to go after a new hulk, i.e. electric loco WAP-4 series locos. Shortly soon after, another boyfriend change was witnessed in this train when it started getting WAP-5 locos of GZB shed frequently.
* Till this point, the train had been running with old/very old ICF coaches bearing 130 KMPH as maximum permissible speed of the coaches. However, from within, the coaches were said to be remained well maintained, as well as tidy.
* Eventually, IR thought about the passengers' comfort and safety and in the process provided brand new LHB coaches to this ex-(AC-Duronto)-Rajdhani AC Express since Apr 11, 2016 from NDLS and Apr 12, 2016 from LKO end. It is still unknown, at this point of time, whether these LHB coaches are 130 kmph fit or higher. It is worth mentioning here, that route MPS is 100/110 KMPH, as informed by rail veterans.
So this is the history of 12429/30 LKO-NDLS-LKO AC Express, which is now running with LHB coaches, being hauled by WAP-4/WAP5 loco, having halts at GZB, MB, BE stations, running on almost same schedule (it has been speed-ed down, once, to the best of my knowledge). Hence, it can be observed that in the recent time, this train has got complete makeover.
If any of the above points/data need modification/correction/missing, kindly inform me by giving comments.
thanks in advance