Central Railway Launches 76 Winter Trains for Holiday Rush

Central Railway is set to operate 76 special winter trains to accommodate the increased travel demand during the Christmas and New Year holidays. These services will connect major cities, including Mumbai and Pune, to popular destinations such as Karmali, Nagpur, Mangaluru, Thiruvananthapuram, Amravati, and Sanganer. The special train services will run from December 2025 through early January 2026, providing passengers with additional travel options during this peak season.

Dr. Swapnil Nila, Chief Public Relations Officer for Central Railway in Mumbai, announced the details on December 5, 2023. The initiative aims to ease congestion and improve accessibility for travelers, particularly during the holiday rush that often sees a surge in passenger numbers.

Key Train Services and Schedules

The special train services include various routes and schedules to cater to different travel needs. Notable services include:

– **Mumbai CSMT–Karmali Daily Specials (36 services)**:
– Train 01151 departs from CSMT at 00:20 from December 19 to January 5.
– Train 01152 departs Karmali at 14:15 on the same dates.

– **LTT–Thiruvananthapuram North Weekly Specials (8 services)**:
– Train 01171 operates on Thursdays from LTT.
– Train 01172 departs Thiruvananthapuram North on Saturdays.

– **LTT–Mangaluru Junction Weekly Specials (8 services)**:
– Train 01185 leaves LTT on Tuesdays.
– Train 01186 departs Mangaluru Junction on Wednesdays.

– **CSMT–Nagpur Weekly Specials (6 services)**:
– Train 01005 runs on Saturdays from CSMT.
– Train 01006 departs Nagpur on the same day.

– **Pune–Nagpur Weekly Specials (6 services)**:
– Train 01401 operates on Fridays from Pune.
– Train 01402 departs Nagpur on Saturdays.

– **Pune–Sanganer Weekly Superfast Specials (6 services)**:
– Train 01405 leaves Pune on Fridays.
– Train 01406 departs Sanganer on Saturdays.

– **Pune–Amravati Weekly Specials (6 services)**:
– Train 01403 runs from Pune on Saturdays.
– Train 01404 departs Amravati on Sundays.

Bookings for these special services will open on Wednesday, offering travelers an opportunity to secure their seats in advance.

Infrastructure Enhancements and Future Plans

In addition to the winter special trains, Central Railway is undergoing significant upgrades to improve its services. Speculation has arisen regarding a new tender for upgrading the Sanpada car shed, which may facilitate the introduction of 15-car trains on the Harbour line. Currently, Central Railway is converting 20 existing 12-car rakes into 15-car rakes on the main line, marking a substantial increase in capacity.

The operational implications of introducing 15-car trains include longer clearance times for each section, adjustments in acceleration and braking patterns, and revision of existing schedules. These changes necessitate modifications to the overhead electrical equipment and require planning to ensure effective handling of the new train configurations.

While the upgrades aim to enhance capacity and efficiency, officials have clarified that there are no immediate plans to convert Harbour line services to 15-car trains. A spokesperson stated, “The Harbour line has no space left for 15-car operations. Transitioning from nine-car to 12-car platforms was challenging, so extending to 15-car is not feasible.”

As public transport continues to evolve, commuters have voiced their opinions on the proposed upgrades. Some believe that increasing the number of 15-car trains could alleviate crowding, particularly during peak hours. Others emphasize the need for improved punctuality and frequency on existing services.

The winter special trains and ongoing infrastructure improvements reflect Central Railway’s commitment to enhancing travel experience for passengers during the busy holiday season and beyond.