Trishul and Garuda

Context: Recently, Indian Railways has successfully operated two long haul freight trains “Trishul" and “Garuda" for the first time over South-Central Railway (SCR).

• SCR is a one of the five major freight loading railways on IR.

About ‘Trishul’

• Trishul is SCR’s first long haul comprising of three freight trains, i.e., 177 wagons.
• This train was started on 7th October from Kondapalli station of Vijayawada division to Khurda division of East Coast Railway.

About ‘Garuda’

• Garuda was started from Raichur of Guntakal division to Manuguru of Secunderabad division.
• Long haul trains, which are twice or multiple times longer than the normal composition of freight trains, provide a very effective solution to the problem of capacity constraints in critical sections.
• Both the long haul trains comprised of empty open wagons for loading of coal meant for predominantly thermal power stations.