This is train is still the first choice for the people travelling from Malda & Farakka to Calcutta/ Sealdah. Some changes after that are listed below :
1) Now it's having 1A, 2A & 3A in addition to SL & Gen coaches.
2) Runs with diesel engine.
3) Mostly runs with RAC & WL because of the demand.
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It was shifted to KOAA from SDAH after KOAA terminal got ready but due to the resistance from public and politicians it was again reinstated from SDAH only and running to the same terminal now.
5) For few months it was having a slip route to Katihar but was discontinued after KIR got one train of its own, the HATEY-BAZARE Express which now runs upto Saharsa.
6) For few months it was having a slip route to Radhikapur but was discontinued after RDP got one train of its own, the RDP-KOAA express.
7) Now it is running with a slip route to Balurghat.
8) Earlier this train used to depart from PF no 7 or 8 from SDAH. Now it departs from 9A/9B. Stands with Darjeeling mail on the other PF.
9) NTPC Farakka runs connecting bus services for this train to its townships.
This is one of my favourite train also. I travelled to Calcutta for the first time GOUR EXPRESS only. Didn't sleep in night waiting to see Calcutta. When train was about to reach BWN, i woke up my dad telling - we are about to reach Cacutta. My dad said " there is still 3 hrs to to go my son, please sleep otherwise you will able to enjoy the day.
I will never forget that journey. That was my first overnight journey.

Its like a moving home especially for the people of Farakka. I stayed there for nearly 6 yrs & this train was of prime importance especially for my father. We used to get down at Bandel very early in the morning around 4:30 am ( Previous TT ) & caught suburban trains (EMU) from there to reach our hometown Uttarpara . This was an overnight journey but still i used enjoy it very much. The train was superbly maintained & very rarely it got late. Sometimes it even reached before time because of its slacked TT. At Burdwan the train used to halt for a very long time . My grandfather once told me that it was for loco change but i didn't noticed any such thing. One exciting thing which i liked the most was the parallel action or some overtake by trains like Mithila , Shaktipunj or JU HWH...
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Exp but ultimately this train received the priority . Will never forget those memorable journeys.