Rajkot: Rajkot Division of Western Railway achieved a milestone by successfully operating its first long-haul “Mega Freight Train” from Windmill (near Jamnagar), comprising 87 wagons (formed by combining two goods trains into a single long-haul train). This marks a major advancement in freight handling capability, operational efficiency, and optimal utilization of resources. The division also earned revenue of approximately Rs. 40 lakh from the operation of this first long-haul “Mega Train”.

The long-haul train was operated on March 24, 2026, from Windmill (near Jamnagar) to Katosan Road in the Ahmedabad Division, covering a distance of approximately 306 km at an average speed of 30.50 km/h. The successful operation demonstrates the division’s technical capability, meticulous planning, and effective inter-divisional coordination.

Integrated Formation of 87 Wagons:

The long-haul train was formed by integrating two freight rakes into a single formation:
First Section: 45 container wagons
Second Section: 42 covered wagons

This integrated formation enabled transportation of a larger volume of freight in a single run, thereby reducing the requirement for multiple train paths and ensuring better asset utilization.

Efficient Single Crew Operation:

The long-haul train, which would normally require two separate crews for two freight trains, was operated with only one crew for the entire journey, demonstrating optimized crew utilization, improved operational efficiency, and better resource management.

Key Benefits:

The operation of long-haul freight trains offers several advantages:

1. 1. Enhances line capacity by utilizing a single path for multiple rakes
2. 2. Increases throughput and freight-carrying capacity
3. 3. Reduces transit time due to fewer detentions
4. 4. Improves cost efficiency and competitiveness of rail transport
5. 5. Optimizes crew utilization by reducing the requirement from multiple crews to a single crew

Divisional Railway Manager of Rajkot Division, Giriraj Kumar Meena, stated that the successful operation of this long-haul “Mega Train” reflects the division’s commitment to improving freight efficiency and supports Indian Railways’ broader objective of modernising logistics and strengthening its role in the economic development of the country. DeshGujarat