a daily train between Vasco da Gama and Vijayawada in the mid-2000. But due to a poor response from passengers, the frequency was reduced to bi-weekly and for the remaining 5 days the train terminated at Hubli. From the beginning of 2003, the service frequency increased to three times a week and the Vijayawada–Hubli services operated on the remaining four days each week. From July 2007, the train service from Vasco da Gama was further extended to Howrah. In 2010 the 7225/7226 Vijayawada–Hubli service was renumbered as 17225/17226 and the 8047/8048 Howrah–Vasco da Gama service was renumbered as 18047/18048. On 12 February 2013, Railway minister Mallikarjuna Karge increased the frequency of Amaravathi Express 17225/17226 which runs between Hubli and Vijayawada from 3 days to daily. As per revised time table new train timings come into operation very soon. Origin of name The train service is named after the historical capital city of the Satavahana dynasty, Amaravati in the present day Guntur district. Amaravati is also known as the Sanchi of South India because of its stupas. Locomotives The 17225/17226 Amaravati Express uses WAP-4 Electric locomotive from the Vijayawada Shed of SCR between Vijayawada and Hubli. The 18047/18048 Amaravati Express uses both electric and diesel locomotives. Howrah to Visakhapatnam – WAP-4 of Santragachi (IR code: SRC) of S.E. Railways Visakhapatnam to Guntakal – WAP-4 of Vijayawada (IR code: BZA) of S.C. Railways Guntakal to Vasco da Gama Twin WDM-3A or WDG-3A of Gooty (IR code:-GY) of S.C. Railways. The train bears the same loco link on its return itinerary. References Indian Railways AP Tourism Amaravati Express Other links Vijayawada, Guntur or Amaravati Andhra Pradesh Goa, Hubli, Bellary Howrah–Vasco da Gama Amaravati Express Transport in Vijayawada Named passenger trains of India Rail transport in Andhra Pradesh Rail transport in Karnataka Rail transport in Telangana Transport in Hubli-Dharwad Express trains in India