Karakoram Express
 | |||||
| Overview | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service type | Express | ||||
| Current operator(s) | Pakistan Railways | ||||
| Website | www.pakrail.com/ | ||||
| Route | |||||
| Start | Karachi Cantt | ||||
| Stops | 5 | ||||
| End | Lahore Jn | ||||
| Distance travelled | 1,241 kilometres (771 mi) | ||||
| Service frequency | Daily | ||||
| Train number(s) | 41 UP (Karachi -> Lahore), 42 DN (Lahore -> Karachi) | ||||
| On-board services | |||||
| Class(es) | Economy and AC Business | ||||
| Seating arrangements | Available | ||||
| Sleeping arrangements | Available | ||||
| Catering facilities | Available | ||||
| Baggage facilities | Available | ||||
| Technical | |||||
| Track gauge | Broad Gauge | ||||
| |||||
Karakoram Express (Urdu: قراقرم ایکسپریس ) is a daily express train service between Karachi and Lahore in Pakistan. The train is named after the Karakoram mountain range spanning the borders between Pakistan, India and China. Karakoram Express is one of the fastest and most popular trains in Pakistan. It was inaugurated on 14 August 2002 with imported Chinese coaches by the then Federal railways minister Lt-Gen Javed Ashraf Qazi (retired). [1]
Karakoram Express currently runs with 11 Economy, 3 AC Business Class, 1 Dining car, 1 Power van and 1 Luggage van coaches.[2] It covers the 1,241 kilometres (771 mi) distance in 17 hours and 45 minutes.
History of Operation
The gleaming Karakoram Express was inaugurated on Pakistan's Independence day in 2002 equipped with the most modern imported Chinese coaches in a white/blue livery. The train's introduction was appreciated both by the public and country analysts as a major footstep towards the railways' revival. Following Pakistan's Military coup in 1999, many sectors of the country saw marked improvements, one of which was the railways. Starting in 2000, many trains on the network got a facelift, with brand new liveries and coaches. After the revamps of some popular existing trains such as Karachi Express, Tezgam Express and Shalimar Express, the Karakoram Express was the marking of a new era that epitomized swift and comfortable travelling.
Karakoram Express acquired the title of the "Fastest train in Pakistan" alongside the LHR-KHI Karachi Express also commonly known as Night Coach in 2002 and holds it to date. Karakoram Express used to cover the 1225 kilometers distance between Lahore and Karachi in 17 hours 45 minutes, starting its journey at 4.00 pm and reaching either destinations at 9.45 am the next morning.[3] Initially, the train was operated on an alternative day basis because China had dispatched only 14 coaches in total. On 24 March 2003, more coaches arrived in Pakistan and the train began daily operations.[4]
Current Route
Karachi to Lahore via Hyderabad, Rohri, Khanewal and Faislabad
Train stops
References
- ↑ KARACHI: Karakoram Express train inaugurated, Published in Dawn News on 16 August 2002. Retrieved on 11 July 2012
- ↑ New coaches in Karakoram Express introduced, Published in Pakistan Observer. Retrieved on 11 July 2012
- ↑ "Karakoram express". Government of Pakistan. Retrieved 2012-10-13.
|first1=missing|last1=in Authors list (help) - ↑ http://archives.dawn.com/2003/03/25/local4.htm|accessdate=13/10/12
- ↑ Pakistan Railways official website, Karakoram Express Timings, Retrieved on 25 March 2015