Allama Iqbal Express

Allama Iqbal Express

Overview
Service type	Inter-city rail, Mail express
Predecessor	Shaheen Express
First service	1940
Current operator(s)	Pakistan Railways
Route
Start	Karachi Cantonment
End	Sialkot Junction
Distance travelled	1,362 kilometres (846 mi)
Average journey time	25 hours
Service frequency	Daily
Train number(s)	9UP (Karachi→Sialkot) 10DN (Sialkot→Karachi)
On-board services
Class(es)	Economy
Sleeping arrangements	Available
Catering facilities	Not available
Technical
Track gauge	1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Track owner(s)	Pakistan Railways
Route map Allama Iqbal Express route map

The Allama Iqbal Express (Urdu: علامہ اقبال ایکسپریس‎) is a passenger train operated daily by Pakistan Railways between Karachi and Sialkot, two important industrial hubs of Pakistan. The trip takes approximately 25 hours and 30 minutes to cover a published distance of 1,362 kilometres (846 mi), traveling along the Karachi–Peshawar Railway Line, Shahdara Bagh–Chak Amru Branch Line and Wazirabad–Narowal Branch Line.

History

The Allama Iqbal Express is one of the oldest express trains of Pakistan, beginning in 1940 as the Shaheen Express from Karachi to Sialkot via Faisalabad. In 1985, Shaheen Express was renamed to Allama Iqbal Express, in honor of Pakistan's famous poet Dr. Muhammad Iqbal.^[1]

Route

In 1998, the Allama Iqbal Express was redirected via Wazirabad Junction to Sialkot Junction. In 2004, it was again redirected to the current route via Narowal Junction.

• Karachi Cantonment–Shahdara Bagh Junction via Karachi–Peshawar Railway Line
• Shahdara Bagh Junction–Narowal Junction via Shahdara Bagh–Chak Amru Branch Line
• Narowal Junction–Sialkot Junction via Wazirabad–Narowal Branch Line

Station stops

^[2]

Equipment

The train consists of 16 Economy, 1 Power van and 1 Luggage van coaches. The train runs completely on Diesel Traction.

See also

• Pakistan Railways

References