Poorva Express (via Patna)
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Overview | |
---|---|
Service type | Superfast Express |
Locale | Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand & West Bengal |
First service | 2 October 1956 |
Current operator(s) | Eastern Railways |
Route | |
Start | Howrah (HWH) |
Stops | 22 |
End | New Delhi (NDLS) |
Distance travelled | 1,531 km (951 mi) |
Average journey time | 21 hours 50 minutes |
Service frequency | Daily |
Train number(s) | 12303 / 12304 |
On-board services | |
Class(es) | First AC, Second AC, Third AC, Sleeper Class, General Unreserved |
Seating arrangements | Yes |
Sleeping arrangements | Yes |
Auto-rack arrangements | Yes |
Catering facilities | Pantry car attached, On-board Catering, E-Catering |
Observation facilities | Large windows |
Baggage facilities | Available |
Technical | |
Rolling stock | LHB Coaches |
Track gauge | 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) |
Operating speed | 70 km/h (43 mph) average with halts |
The 12303 / 12304 Poorva Express are daily superfast express trains of Indian Railways running between Howrah, West Bengal, and New Delhi, the capital city of India. The name Poorva signifies the eastern part of India, and the train attracts travellers from Bihar, Jharkhand & West Bengal.[1][2]
History[]
Prior to the introduction of the Rajdhani Express, the Deluxe Express was the premium category superfast trains of India. Fully air conditioned and superfast, they were given the highest priority in Indian Railways. There were two of them. One use to imply between Amritsar and Bandra, and another from Amritsar to Howrah. Both of them use to carry the ICF Rajdhani liveried coaches. Later with due course of time the Deluxe Express till Bandra was renamed as Paschim Express while the Deluxe Express till Howrah Express was renamed as Poorva Express.
With due course of time, the "fully Air Conditioned" was stripped off from its name to accommodate additional Non-AC sleeper Coaches and was subsequently terminated till New Delhi. And with the launch of trains like Udyan Abha Toofan Express and Howrah Rajdhani Express, it lost its grandeur and subsequently its priority. It was relegated to Maroon-cream coloured Coaches first and then to Standard Blue ICF Coaches later before getting refurbished to LHB Coaches in April 2013.
Though it suffered with time, but its popularity never ceased. Due to its huge demand, Indian Railways introduced a second pair of Poorva Express on 1 August 1971 via Patna. Not only that, during its peak time it was one of the longest train with a load of 24 coaches and was used to be hauled by twin WDM-2 engines between Mughalsarai and Chittaranjan.
Coach composition[]
The train has standard LHB rakes/ICF rakes with a max speed of 130 km/h. The train consists of 22 coaches:
- 1HA (1st AC cum 2A)
- 2 AC II Tier
- 5 AC III Tier
- 9 Sleeper Coaches
- 1 Pantry Car
- 2 General Unreserved
- 2 HOG
Gallery[]
12304 Poorva Express - EOG
12304 Poorva Express - Sleeper Class coach
Poorva Express at New Delhi
Poorva Express at New Delhi with a Ghaziabad based WAP 7
Ghaziabad based WAP 7 ready to haul the Poorva Express
Loco | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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EOG | GS | GS | S1 | S2 | S3 | S4 | S5 | S6 | S7 | S8 | S9 | PC | HA1 | B1 | B2 | B3 | B4 | B5 | A1 | A2 | EOG |
Important Route & Halts[]
- Howrah Junction
- Jhajha
- Patna Junction
- Kanpur Central
- New Delhi
Traction[]
It is regularly hauled by a Howrah Loco Shed based WAP 7 (HOG) equipped locomotive on its entire journey.
Rake Sharing[]
The train shares its rake with 12381/12382 Poorva Express (via Gaya).
Train detail[]
Pair | Train No. | Sector | Departure | Arrival | Frequency | Average Speed | Stops | Distance |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 12303[3] | Howrah – New Delhi Via Patna | 08:00 | 06:00 | Mon, Tue, Fri, Sat | 70 km | BWN, DGR, ASN, CRJ, MDP, JSME, JAJ, JMU, KIUL, MKA, BARH, BKP, PNBE, DNR, ARA, BXR, DDU, ALD, CNB, ETW, TDL,ALJN | 1531 km |
12304[4] | New Delhi – Howrah Via Patna | 17:40 | 17:00 | Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun | 65 km | |||
2 | 12381[5] | Howrah – New Delhi Via Gaya | 08:15 | 06:00 | Sun, Wed, Thu | 67 km | ALJN, TDL, ETW, CNB, ALD, BSB, DDU, BBU,SSM, DOS, ABUR, RFG, GAYA, KQR, PNME, DHN, ASN, DGR, BWN | 1449 km |
12382[6] | New Delhi – Howrah Via Gaya | 17:40 | 17:00 | Mon, Tue, Fri | 62 km |
Accidents and incidents[]
On 14 December 2014 the 12381 UP Howrah - New Delhi Poorva Express derailed at 8.27 am after leaving Howrah at 8.15 am.[7] 11 sleeper coaches and a pantry car (AC Hot Buffet Car) of the New Delhi-bound Poorva Express derailed at Liluah shortly after leaving Howrah station. There were no casualties or injuries to any passengers, railway officials said. The train was moving at a slow speed when it derailed, the officials said, adding that the reasons for the mishap were being examined. What saved the passengers was the speed of the train. "The Poorva Express was moving at 10 to 15 km/h when the accident occurred. The average speed of the train is 63 km/h, though it can travel at 120 km/h. Derailment at higher speeds would have been catastrophic," an official said.
References[]
- ^ "Sanction for regular operation". Retrieved 19 November 2019.
- ^ "Raising maximum permissible speed of sections" (PDF). Retrieved 19 November 2019.
- ^ "Train Time Table - POORVA EXPRESS (12303) : etrain.info". etrain.info. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
- ^ "Train Time Table - POORVA EXPRESS (12304) : etrain.info". etrain.info. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
- ^ "Train Time Table - POORVA EXPRESS (12381) : etrain.info". etrain.info. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
- ^ "Train Time Table - POORVA EXPRESS (12382) : etrain.info". etrain.info. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
- ^ "Train jumps tracks like a toy". telegraphindia.com. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
External links[]
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- Rail transport in Jharkhand
- Rail transport in Bihar
- Delhi–Kolkata trains
- Railway services introduced in 1950
- Express trains in India
- Named passenger trains of India
- Rail transport in Uttar Pradesh
- Rail transport in Delhi
- Rail transport in West Bengal