The 12915 / 12916 Ashram Express is a Superfast Express train that runs between Sabarmati and Old Delhi in India. It is a daily service. It operates as train number 12915 from Sabarmati to Old Delhi and as train number 12916 in the reverse direction.
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Service type | Superfast |
| Locale | Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana & Delhi |
| First service | 1 April 1983 |
| Current operator(s) | Western Railway |
| Route | |
| Termini | Sabarmati (SBIB) Old Delhi (DLI) |
| Stops | 18 |
| Distance travelled | 928 km (577 mi) |
| Average journey time | 14 hours 20 minutes |
| Service frequency | Daily |
| Train number(s) | 12915 / 12916 |
| On-board services | |
| Class(es) | AC first, AC 2 tier, AC 3 tier, Sleeper class, General Unreserved |
| Seating arrangements | Yes |
| Sleeping arrangements | Yes |
| Catering facilities | On-board catering, E-catering |
| Observation facilities | Large windows |
| Entertainment facilities | Railink Wi-Fi |
| Baggage facilities | Available |
| Technical | |
| Rolling stock | LHB coach |
| Track gauge | 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) |
| Operating speed | 130 km/h (81 mph) maximum, 65 km/h (40 mph) average including halts. |
The train's route runs on a broad-gauge section converted from metre gauge in the 1990s. During the metre gauge era, this train ran as the 505-MG / 506-MG Ashram Express. This was the 2nd fastest train in Delhi Junction–Ahmedabad Junction Mainline after 501-MG / 502-MG Delhi Junction–Jaipur Junction Pink City MG Express.
Name
editThe train is named after the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, which was one of the residences of Mahatma Gandhi.
Coach composition
editThe 12915 / 12916 Ashram Express presently has 1 AC 1st Class, 1 AC 1st Class cum AC 2 tier, 1 AC 2 tier, 5 AC 3 tier, 7 Sleeper class, 2 General Unreserved & 2 EoG cum Luggage coaches, from which (1–40) seats of 1st general bogie are reserved for ladies and (41–50) seats are for person with disabilities. As with most train services in India, coach composition may be amended at the discretion of Indian Railways depending on demand.
Service
editThe 12915 Ashram Express covers the distance of 933 km (580 mi) in 15 hours 40 mins & 933 km (580 mi) in 14hours 45 mins as 12916 Ashram Express.
As its average speed in both directions is above 62 km/h (39 mph) and maximum 125kmph (77 mph), as per Indian Railways rules, its fare has a Superfast surcharge. In addition, it gets priority over local (commuter) trains, standard express, passenger trains and most freight trains. Nowadays, this train is 6th fastest train from Delhi to Ahmedabad City, after Rajdhani's and Sampark Kranti express, though garibrath express is more slow than this train.
Route and halts
editThe train runs from Sabarmati via Mahesana Junction, Palanpur Junction, Abu Road, Falna, Beawar, Ajmer Junction, Jaipur Junction, Dausa, Bandikui Junction, Alwar, Khairthal, Rewari, Gurgaon, Delhi Cantonment to Old Delhi.
Traction
editThe route is now fully electrified, it is hauled by a Vadodara Loco Shed based WAP-7 electric locomotive on its entire journey.
Time-table
edit- 12915 Ashram Express leaves Ahmedabad Junction every day at 19:25 hrs IST and reaches Old Delhi at 10:10 hrs IST the next day.
- 12916 Ashram Express leaves Old Delhi every day at 16:00 hrs IST and reaches Ahmedabad Junction at 07:00 hrs IST the next day.
Timings during metre gauge era was:-Ahmedabad Junction departure 14.15 hrs & Old Delhi Junction arrival 10.00 hrs as 505-MG. In return, Old Delhi Junction departure 16.00 hrs & Ahmedabad Junction arrival 11.45 hrs.
Rake sharing
editThe train sharing its rake with 12461 / 12462 Mandore Express