New Delhi:
An express train runs at an average speed of 50 kilometres an hour and a good train at 25 kilometres an hour. But this is only on broad gauge, Minister of State for Railways K.J. Surya Prakash Reddy told the Rajya Sabha on Friday.
On meter gauge, the trains slow down, with express trains plying at 30 kilometres an hour and goods trains at 14 kilometres an hour.
Also on broad gauge, EMUs (electrical multiple units) run at 40 kilometres an hour and ordinary passenger trains cover 36 kilometres an hour.
The speed of trains, Bansal explained, was dependent on factors such as the trains themselves, signalling system, rolling stock and stoppages.
"It is a constant endeavour of Indian Railways to improve the average speed of trains," he said.