Avantika Express

The 12961 / 12962 Avantika Express is a superfast express train belonging to Indian Railways that runs between Mumbai Central and Indore in India. It is a daily service. It operates as train number 12961 from Mumbai Central to Indore and as train number 12962 in the reverse direction.

Avantika Express
Overview
Service typeSuperfast
LocaleMaharashtra, Gujarat & Madhya Pradesh
First service1 May 1985 (1985-05-01)
Current operator(s)Western Railways
Route
StartMumbai Central (MMCT)
Stops18
EndIndore Junction (INDB)
Distance travelled830 km (516 mi)
Average journey time13 hours 55 minutes
Service frequencyDaily
Train number(s)12961 / 12962
On-board services
Class(es)AC 1st Class, AC 2 tier, AC 3 tier, Sleeper, Unreserved
Seating arrangementsYes
Sleeping arrangementsYes
Catering facilitiesNo Pantry Car
Baggage facilitiesYes
Technical
Rolling stockLHB Coaches
Track gauge1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Operating speed110 km/h (68 mph) maximum,
61.21 km/h (38 mph) average including halts
Route map

Covid Special

This train was proposed to run by Western Railways as 02961/02962 Avantika Covid Special during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the letter issued by Western Railway, the covid special train should start from 15 October 2020.

The schedule is not changed, Instead of Un-Reserved coaches,Second Seating coaches are provided by Western Railways.

  • AC COACHES
  • SLEEPER COACHES
  • GENERATOR CAR

Background

When this train was introduced back in 1985 it was called as Bombay Indore Superfast. Later it was renamed as Avantika SF Express.

The name Avantika is from 'Avanti', the former name of Ujjain, a historical city located near Indore. This is one of the two superfast train connection between Indore and Mumbai, the another train is Indore Duronto Express.

In February 2019, it was upgraded to LHB coaches.

Coaches

Coach Composition may be amended at the discretion of Indian Railways depending on demand. In February 2019, it was upgraded to LHB coaches from ICF coaches.

Loco 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
WAP7EOGGSS1S2S3S4S5S6S7S8S9B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 A1 HA1 GS GS EOG

*Note - The coach composition shown here is for 12961 (Mumbai to Indore).For 12962 (Indore to Mumbai) the composition will be flipped.

Service

It is a daily train & covers the distance of 829 kilometres in 13 hours 55 mins as 12961 Avantika Express (61.21 km/hr) & 13 hours 45 mins as 12962 Avantika Express (61.67 km/hr).

Schedule

The service Mumbai Central every late evening and reaches Indore the next morning. It follows the same pattern for return service too.

When Avantika SuperFast was first introduced it was hauled by WDM-2 for whole journey.

After sometime, WCAM-1 became its regular link from Mumbai Central till Ujjain, After Ujjain WDM-2 hauled it complete its journey to Indore.

When Mumbai's WR was converted into AC current, WAP-4 took incharge of Avantika till Ujjain. After sometime Ujjain - Indore line got electrified and WAP-4 hauled it for whole journey.

After some years, Avantika SuperFast got India's fastest Locomotive WAP-5 for its regular link.

When Avantika SuperFast got upgraded into LHB Coaches in 2018 February, its regular link also got upgraded into WAP-7 (usually HOG mode).

All the diesel locomotives were provided by Ratlam LocoShed (RTM)

All the DC traction Electric locomotives were provided by Valsad LocoShed (BL)

All the AC traction Electric locomotives are provided by Vadodara LocoShed (BRC)

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