Vadodara : Here is a train that is slower than a moped.You will never find anyone rushing to catch the narrow gauge Pratapnagar-Jambusar passenger train, for its top speed is a mere 12 kmph.It is arguably the slowest train in the plains of India, chugging to cover 44 km in over three-and-a-half hours.A two-wheeler covers the distance in an hour.No wonder not many travel by it.

         

              The slow pace even allows the co-driver to double up as a gateman at crossings.He alights from the train to close the gate and open it once it passes by.He then easily manages to hop on to the moving engine.Passengers board or alight from even as the train is moving.

             The Pratapnagar-Jambusar train used to run at 30 kmph till last year when its tracks were damaged by torrential rains, leading to suspension of service.The service was resumed on March 11."As the track was damaged, we decided to slow its speed to 20 kmph," says a railway official.The train, however, runs well below the stipulated limit.