Trains are a type of transportation that allows you to travel easily and affordably between cities and even from one state to another.
That’s why Indian railways are not only popular within the country but also internationally. Just like how Indian trains are famous for their facilities, some trains are known for their speed.
The Lifeline Trains of India
To reach any place quickly, we can easily use trains like Shatabdi and Vande Bharat. That’s why many Indian trains are referred to as the lifeline of the nation.
But have you ever wondered when trains run at high speed during the day or when they suddenly speed up during a journey? Let’s find out.
Faster Speed at Night
Generally, trains run at high speeds both during the day and night. However, during the night, the speed of the train increases.
There are several reasons behind this, but one of the primary reasons is that signals are more visible at night.
In the daytime, signals like green, red, or yellow are not easily visible from a distance. But as the night falls, many kilometers away, these signals become clear.
When signals are visible, the train driver can increase the train’s speed. However, during very cold weather in winter, trains might run slower at night because thick fog can make signals hard to see, causing the train to move slowly.
Quieter Tracks at Night
Another reason for the increased speed of trains at night is the quieter tracks. During the day, there’s more noise from people and animals near the tracks.
But at night, the tracks are quieter, and there is less disturbance. When there’s less noise near the railway tracks, the train can naturally run faster.
Trains That Run Faster at Night
Now that we’ve discussed why trains run faster at night, let’s look at which trains are known for their higher speeds during nighttime.
Passenger and Mail passenger trains don’t typically run at high speeds, but Shatabdi, Vande Bharat, and Superfast trains are known to have increased speed during the night.
Sometimes, these trains can travel at speeds of more than 1-2 kilometers per hour above their usual speeds.
That’s why, many times, morning trains arrive at stations ahead of schedule.
Routes with Faster Night Trains
It’s said that there is no specific route where trains run fastest during the night. Trains can run faster than 80 kilometers per hour on certain tracks, and during the night, their speed increases on those very tracks.