The Karnataka Express was introduced in the late 1970s, linking the national capital of New Delhi with Bangalore, the state capital of Karnataka. The train at present covers the 2,400 km journey in around 40 hours, cutting across six states and through the Deccan Plateau. The 24-coacher is powered by an electric locomotive till Manmad, after which two diesel locomotives take over for the remainder of the journey till Bangalore

The first part of a full journey aboard the legendary Karnataka Express, covering the stretch between New Delhi and Manmad in Maharashtra. We start off from New Delhi at night, and have a blistering encounter with the Bhopal Shatabdi. Next morning, we found ourselves cruising towards Bhopal, past the historic Sanchi stupa. Post Bhopal, we cross a short ghat section enroute Itarsi, and subsequently, the Narmada river.

Courtesy the monsoons, the entire landscape is verdant green and the Itarsi WAP4 in charge of the Karnataka Express maintains a sprightly pace as it race towards Khandwa, past the Indira Sagar Dam. The twin-Alco hauled Pune Patna Express greets us in this stretch, along with a couple of other expresses.

After Khandwa, we race through the Yawal wildlife sanctuary, under a canopy of clouds, and after crossing the Tapti river, enter Bhusawal. The rains ease a bit after Bhusawal and we maintain a fair clip till Manmad, where our locomotive changes from WAP4 to twin Alcos - a WDM2-WDM3A combination from Maula Ali.

Other notable crossings include the Punjab Mail, the Goa Express, and the Pushpak Express.

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