Avantika Superfast Express


The 12961 / 12962 Avantika Superfast Express is a superfast express train belonging to Indian Railways that runs between and 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.

Background

When this train was introduced back in 1985 it was called as Bombay–Indore Superfast. Later it was renamed as Avantika Superfast Express.
For about a couple of years, in mid 1990s, the termination of train was changed from Mumbai Central to Bandra Terminus. The order was reversed and from 1998 the train started going up to Mumbai Central.
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 connections between Indore and Mumbai, the other train is Indore Duronto Express.
In February 2019, it was upgraded to LHB coach.

Service

It is a daily train and covers the distance of 829 kilometres in 12 hours 10 mins as 12961 Avantika SF Express and 13 hours 5 mins as 12962 Avantika SF Express.
It is one of the fastest train on this route and one of the only two trains connecting MMCT to INDB, the other one being Mumbai Indore Duronto Express which covers the distance of 829 kilometers in just 11 hours 15 mins due to its premium priority and less stoppages.
Avantika Superfast Express is highly rated amongst its commuters and railfans due to its cleanliness, safety, and punctuality, more often than not this train usually reaches the stations before its scheduled time.

Schedule

Coaches

Coach composition may be amended at the discretion of Indian Railways depending on demand.
In February 2019, it was upgraded to LHB coach from ICF coach.
Loco12345678910111213141516171819202122
WAP7EOGGSGSGSGSS1S2S3S4S5S6M1M2B1B2B3B4A1A2A3H1SLR

*Note – The coach composition shown here is for 12961.For 12962 the composition will be flipped.

Locomotive link

When Avantika Superfast was first introduced it was hauled by WDM-2 for the whole journey.
After some time, 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 coach in 2019 February, its regular link also got upgraded into WAP-7.