RailExplorer
Member
- Joined
- 14 Aug 2018
- Messages
- 161
Pakistan
16th to 30th January 2025
***
Photos are being posted on my Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/share/1BaKVZ5tSZ/
***
Pakistan hospitality is 5*. I have many many railway employee contacts in Pakistan now. I was basically hosted by railway employees and their friends/family for 90% of this trip.
Thursday 16th January
Flight London Heathrow 20:55 to Abu Dhabi /7:45(+1)
Friday 17th January
Flight Abu Dhabi 14:10 to Islamabad 18:20
Used Careem taxi from airport to hostel (1400 PKR). Be aware that Islamabad Airport has no ATMs and no places to exchange money (which makes life rather complex). The airport area has free WiFi which worked for me, but the Careem/InDrive taxis wait about 5 minutes walk away. My e-sim eventually kicked into life, and I asked my hostel if I could borrow some money for the taxi on arrival. The going rate for an airport taxi is 3000+ PKR (but you still need money). There was one guy willing to exchange money for a very poor rate.
Stayed at Coyote Den Travellers Hostel. Private and dorma available. Dorm is 3000 PKR.
Saturday 18th January
Morning in Islamabad - get used to using the InDrive app as the city is very spread out. But otherwise pleasant with plenty of parks.
Margalla (Islamabad) 15:00 (OT) to Rawalpindi 15:20 (OT)
Green Line 6DN
GEU-20 No. 4558
Rawalpindi 14:05 (3h L) to Golra Sharif 14:22 (3h8m L)
Hazara Express 11DN
PHA-20 8301
SAFARI TRAIN NOTES
Tried to buy tickets for the "Safari Train" at Rawalpindi but it's currently not possible for foreigners unless you visit the Pakistani Foreign Office and get yourself a NOC (No Objection Certificate) letter. The train runs every Sunday from Rawalpindi to Attock Curd. I attempted to board it anyway on Sunday morning at Golra Sharif, but I was stopped by the same person. It was operated by a GEU-20.
Sunday 19th January
Went to Golra Sharif in the morning, visited the small railway museum and attempted to catch the Safari Train (but failed). Then went off to the city for some sightseeing. Back to Golra Sharif in the afternoon.
Golra Sharif 16:17 (8m L) to Rawalpindi 16:40 (5m L)
Hazara Express 12DN
PHA-20 8317
Rawalpindi 17:30 (OT) to Multan 09:00 (15m L)
Mehr Express 128DN
HBU-20 8040
Loco change at Kundian for HBU-20 8078
*Cab ride from Rawalpindi to Kundian*
Monday 20th January
Morning sightseeing in Multan (a city where it's basically forbidden to walk alone without a police escort, but I somehow escaped their watchful eye). If you want more info, get in touch. Back to the station in the afternoon - where this time I was spotted by the police and wasn't allowed to do anything by myself. More information available on request.
Multan 14:20 (1h10m L) to Lodhran 15:31 (1h10m L)
Khyber Mail 2DN
GEU-40 9031
Picked up and driven around. Stayed at family home.
Tuesday 21st January
Visited Samasata Locomotive sheds and traincrew booking facilities and classroom - drove GEU-40 9013 in the yard. Also visited Empress Bridge over the now permanently dry Sutlej River (India has diverted the water).
Samasata Jnc 11:40 (1h40m L) to Bahawalpur 11:55 (1h45m L)
Fareed Express 37UP
GEU-20 4558
*Cab ride*
Bus to small village for overnight stay at a family home.
Wednesday 22nd January
Motorbike from small village to Mailsi.
Mailsi 14:25 (OT) to Lodhran Jnc 15:44 (OT)
Fareed Express 38DN
GEU-20 4555
Lodhran Jnc 15:33 (20m L) to Daharki 19:40 (45m L)
Khyber Mail 2DN
GEU-40 9014
Picked up and stayed at a family home.
Thursday 23rd January
Visited Rhori Locomotive Sheds and drove GMU-15 4811 in the yard. Also visited a diamond crossing near the depot and Lansdowne railway bridge over the Indus River.
Rhori Junction 20:50 (25m L) to Lahore Junction 08:40 (1h25m L)
Jaffar Express 39UP
GEU-20 4563
Friday 24th January
Lahore sightseeing with railway staff.
Night at Lahore Backpackers Hostel.
Saturday 25th January
Lahore ZCU Chinese Locomotive Sheds and drove ZCU-20 6424. Also had a ride on a rail motor cart, visited the control room at the HQ and Lahore Junction station.
Sunday 26th January
Lahore Junction 09:30 (OT) to Farooqabad 10:37 (23m L)
Badar Express 112DN
ZCU-30 6324
Local transportation back from Farooqabad (a very overcrowded rickshaw like vehicle, and then a minibus from Sheikhupura). Late afternoon visit to the Wagah border ceremony using the metro to the last stop, then a shared rickshaw.
Monday 27th January
Lahore Junction 12:40 (10m L) to Khanewal Junction 17:25 (15m L)
Allama Iqbal Express 10DN
AGE-30 6026
*Cab ride*
Khanewal Junction 23:25 (OT) to Rhori Junction 05:35 (45m L)
Sir Sayyed Express 36DN
HGMU-30 8222
Tuesday 28th January
Rhori Junction 07:30 (OT) to Kotri Junction 18:10 (3h L) (via Dadu)
Mohinjo Daro Passenger 214DN
RGE-20 5107
Kotri Junction 21:13 (35m L) to Hyderabad Junction 21:35 (40m L)
Bahauddin Zikria Express 25UP
AGE-30 6007
All day on the train! Night at the railway officers guesthouse in Hyderabad. 213UP was operated by a GMU-15. The train was severely overcrowded with even the roof being full.
Wednesday 29th January
Hyderabad Junction 10:45 (1h10m L) to Landhi Junction 12:47 (1h25m L)
Sir Sayyed Express 36DN
GEU-40 9010
*Cab ride offered but declines as wanted to try the restaurant carriage food*
Landhi Junction 11:32 (3h20m L) to Karachi Cantt 12:40 (2h55m L)
Millat Express 18DN
HGMU-30R 8223
Karachi Cantt 17:00 (OT) to Drigh Road 17:23 (OT)
Millat Express 17UP
HGMU-30 8224
*Cab ride*
Motorbike (InDrive) Drigh Road to the Airport.
Flight Karachi 20:25 to Abu Dhabi 21:50
Thursday 30th January
Flight Abu Dhabi 02:40 to London Heathrow 06:45
****
GENERAL NOTES:
GEU-20 & GEU-40 is now certainly the main intercity traction in Pakistan. You will find these on the majority of the trains between Margalla, Rawalpindi, Lahore and Karachi. Also between Lahore/Karachi and Quetta. You will find them elsewhere too.
HGMU-30 quite often work Karachi to Faisalabad trains, but not guaranteed by any means. Train numbers include 17UP/18DN, 35UP/36DN, 41UP/42DN and 47UP/48DN. A GEU locomotive could well be substituted.
AGE-30 locomotives work train numbers 9UP/10DN, 25UP/26DN and 115UP/116DN. North of Lahore, 9/10 was worked by a ZCU locomotive. Again, can be substituted.
ZCU-20 & ZCU-30 are found on locals around Lahore, and also work some intercity services between Rawalpindi, Lahore and Karachi.
RGE-20 are mainly based in the Quetta region when it comes to passenger services. They provide rear assistance on the steep gradients on the trains to Quetta from Karachi/Lahore, and also operate services to the Afghan border at Chaman. An RGE-20 (51xx) was also found on the 214DN (reverse 213UP) which is a local service between Rhori Junction and Kotri Junction via Dadu. I do believe however these are normally operated by GMU-15 (48xx) locomotives.
GMU-15 operate the once daily service between Hyderabad and Mirpur Khas, and should be on 213UP/214DN (as above).
HBU-20 worked Rawalpindi to Multan services, which a change of locomotive at Kundian.
PHA-20 worked Rawalpindi to Havelian services.
I didn't note what worked Rawalpindi to Peshawar services, but they could well be GEU-20/40. I can find out if anyone needs the info.
I have very good contacts in Pakistan, ranging from drivers, to control staff, to signalling engineers and rail enthusiasts. If I need info, I have zero doubts that I would struggle to find the information I require.
Android phones have a Live Tracking App for Pakistan Railways. It is full of adverts but does do the job (with patience). It does occasionally stop working too. It's called Pak Railway Live.
Ticket wise. Economy standing never sells out and I used this class of travel for all day trains (sometimes I bought the ticket on the train, sometimes in advance). Some trains have a restaurant carriage where you can sit if you need some AC - some routes are extremely dusty. For night trains, I either used AC Business Class or AC Standard Class. In all cases, tickets were bought a few minutes before departure.
There are some Police issues - they want/must escort you in certain places - with Multan being the worst on the route I travelled. You can photograph anything on the railway, even with the police watching. That's not the issue. The Police are there for your safety (although questionable in my opinion). They can certainly be annoying! More info on request.
***
Hope this is of some use to someone.
Miika
16th to 30th January 2025
***
Photos are being posted on my Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/share/1BaKVZ5tSZ/
***
Pakistan hospitality is 5*. I have many many railway employee contacts in Pakistan now. I was basically hosted by railway employees and their friends/family for 90% of this trip.
Thursday 16th January
Flight London Heathrow 20:55 to Abu Dhabi /7:45(+1)
Friday 17th January
Flight Abu Dhabi 14:10 to Islamabad 18:20
Used Careem taxi from airport to hostel (1400 PKR). Be aware that Islamabad Airport has no ATMs and no places to exchange money (which makes life rather complex). The airport area has free WiFi which worked for me, but the Careem/InDrive taxis wait about 5 minutes walk away. My e-sim eventually kicked into life, and I asked my hostel if I could borrow some money for the taxi on arrival. The going rate for an airport taxi is 3000+ PKR (but you still need money). There was one guy willing to exchange money for a very poor rate.
Stayed at Coyote Den Travellers Hostel. Private and dorma available. Dorm is 3000 PKR.
Saturday 18th January
Morning in Islamabad - get used to using the InDrive app as the city is very spread out. But otherwise pleasant with plenty of parks.
Margalla (Islamabad) 15:00 (OT) to Rawalpindi 15:20 (OT)
Green Line 6DN
GEU-20 No. 4558
Rawalpindi 14:05 (3h L) to Golra Sharif 14:22 (3h8m L)
Hazara Express 11DN
PHA-20 8301
SAFARI TRAIN NOTES
Tried to buy tickets for the "Safari Train" at Rawalpindi but it's currently not possible for foreigners unless you visit the Pakistani Foreign Office and get yourself a NOC (No Objection Certificate) letter. The train runs every Sunday from Rawalpindi to Attock Curd. I attempted to board it anyway on Sunday morning at Golra Sharif, but I was stopped by the same person. It was operated by a GEU-20.
Sunday 19th January
Went to Golra Sharif in the morning, visited the small railway museum and attempted to catch the Safari Train (but failed). Then went off to the city for some sightseeing. Back to Golra Sharif in the afternoon.
Golra Sharif 16:17 (8m L) to Rawalpindi 16:40 (5m L)
Hazara Express 12DN
PHA-20 8317
Rawalpindi 17:30 (OT) to Multan 09:00 (15m L)
Mehr Express 128DN
HBU-20 8040
Loco change at Kundian for HBU-20 8078
*Cab ride from Rawalpindi to Kundian*
Monday 20th January
Morning sightseeing in Multan (a city where it's basically forbidden to walk alone without a police escort, but I somehow escaped their watchful eye). If you want more info, get in touch. Back to the station in the afternoon - where this time I was spotted by the police and wasn't allowed to do anything by myself. More information available on request.
Multan 14:20 (1h10m L) to Lodhran 15:31 (1h10m L)
Khyber Mail 2DN
GEU-40 9031
Picked up and driven around. Stayed at family home.
Tuesday 21st January
Visited Samasata Locomotive sheds and traincrew booking facilities and classroom - drove GEU-40 9013 in the yard. Also visited Empress Bridge over the now permanently dry Sutlej River (India has diverted the water).
Samasata Jnc 11:40 (1h40m L) to Bahawalpur 11:55 (1h45m L)
Fareed Express 37UP
GEU-20 4558
*Cab ride*
Bus to small village for overnight stay at a family home.
Wednesday 22nd January
Motorbike from small village to Mailsi.
Mailsi 14:25 (OT) to Lodhran Jnc 15:44 (OT)
Fareed Express 38DN
GEU-20 4555
Lodhran Jnc 15:33 (20m L) to Daharki 19:40 (45m L)
Khyber Mail 2DN
GEU-40 9014
Picked up and stayed at a family home.
Thursday 23rd January
Visited Rhori Locomotive Sheds and drove GMU-15 4811 in the yard. Also visited a diamond crossing near the depot and Lansdowne railway bridge over the Indus River.
Rhori Junction 20:50 (25m L) to Lahore Junction 08:40 (1h25m L)
Jaffar Express 39UP
GEU-20 4563
Friday 24th January
Lahore sightseeing with railway staff.
Night at Lahore Backpackers Hostel.
Saturday 25th January
Lahore ZCU Chinese Locomotive Sheds and drove ZCU-20 6424. Also had a ride on a rail motor cart, visited the control room at the HQ and Lahore Junction station.
Sunday 26th January
Lahore Junction 09:30 (OT) to Farooqabad 10:37 (23m L)
Badar Express 112DN
ZCU-30 6324
Local transportation back from Farooqabad (a very overcrowded rickshaw like vehicle, and then a minibus from Sheikhupura). Late afternoon visit to the Wagah border ceremony using the metro to the last stop, then a shared rickshaw.
Monday 27th January
Lahore Junction 12:40 (10m L) to Khanewal Junction 17:25 (15m L)
Allama Iqbal Express 10DN
AGE-30 6026
*Cab ride*
Khanewal Junction 23:25 (OT) to Rhori Junction 05:35 (45m L)
Sir Sayyed Express 36DN
HGMU-30 8222
Tuesday 28th January
Rhori Junction 07:30 (OT) to Kotri Junction 18:10 (3h L) (via Dadu)
Mohinjo Daro Passenger 214DN
RGE-20 5107
Kotri Junction 21:13 (35m L) to Hyderabad Junction 21:35 (40m L)
Bahauddin Zikria Express 25UP
AGE-30 6007
All day on the train! Night at the railway officers guesthouse in Hyderabad. 213UP was operated by a GMU-15. The train was severely overcrowded with even the roof being full.
Wednesday 29th January
Hyderabad Junction 10:45 (1h10m L) to Landhi Junction 12:47 (1h25m L)
Sir Sayyed Express 36DN
GEU-40 9010
*Cab ride offered but declines as wanted to try the restaurant carriage food*
Landhi Junction 11:32 (3h20m L) to Karachi Cantt 12:40 (2h55m L)
Millat Express 18DN
HGMU-30R 8223
Karachi Cantt 17:00 (OT) to Drigh Road 17:23 (OT)
Millat Express 17UP
HGMU-30 8224
*Cab ride*
Motorbike (InDrive) Drigh Road to the Airport.
Flight Karachi 20:25 to Abu Dhabi 21:50
Thursday 30th January
Flight Abu Dhabi 02:40 to London Heathrow 06:45
****
GENERAL NOTES:
GEU-20 & GEU-40 is now certainly the main intercity traction in Pakistan. You will find these on the majority of the trains between Margalla, Rawalpindi, Lahore and Karachi. Also between Lahore/Karachi and Quetta. You will find them elsewhere too.
HGMU-30 quite often work Karachi to Faisalabad trains, but not guaranteed by any means. Train numbers include 17UP/18DN, 35UP/36DN, 41UP/42DN and 47UP/48DN. A GEU locomotive could well be substituted.
AGE-30 locomotives work train numbers 9UP/10DN, 25UP/26DN and 115UP/116DN. North of Lahore, 9/10 was worked by a ZCU locomotive. Again, can be substituted.
ZCU-20 & ZCU-30 are found on locals around Lahore, and also work some intercity services between Rawalpindi, Lahore and Karachi.
RGE-20 are mainly based in the Quetta region when it comes to passenger services. They provide rear assistance on the steep gradients on the trains to Quetta from Karachi/Lahore, and also operate services to the Afghan border at Chaman. An RGE-20 (51xx) was also found on the 214DN (reverse 213UP) which is a local service between Rhori Junction and Kotri Junction via Dadu. I do believe however these are normally operated by GMU-15 (48xx) locomotives.
GMU-15 operate the once daily service between Hyderabad and Mirpur Khas, and should be on 213UP/214DN (as above).
HBU-20 worked Rawalpindi to Multan services, which a change of locomotive at Kundian.
PHA-20 worked Rawalpindi to Havelian services.
I didn't note what worked Rawalpindi to Peshawar services, but they could well be GEU-20/40. I can find out if anyone needs the info.
I have very good contacts in Pakistan, ranging from drivers, to control staff, to signalling engineers and rail enthusiasts. If I need info, I have zero doubts that I would struggle to find the information I require.
Android phones have a Live Tracking App for Pakistan Railways. It is full of adverts but does do the job (with patience). It does occasionally stop working too. It's called Pak Railway Live.
Ticket wise. Economy standing never sells out and I used this class of travel for all day trains (sometimes I bought the ticket on the train, sometimes in advance). Some trains have a restaurant carriage where you can sit if you need some AC - some routes are extremely dusty. For night trains, I either used AC Business Class or AC Standard Class. In all cases, tickets were bought a few minutes before departure.
There are some Police issues - they want/must escort you in certain places - with Multan being the worst on the route I travelled. You can photograph anything on the railway, even with the police watching. That's not the issue. The Police are there for your safety (although questionable in my opinion). They can certainly be annoying! More info on request.
***
Hope this is of some use to someone.
Miika
