Ashram Express
The 12915 / 12916 Ashram Express is a Superfast Express train that runs between Ahmedabad Junction and Old Delhi in India. It is a daily service. It operates as train number 12915 from Ahmedabad Junction to Old Delhi and as train number 12916 in the reverse direction.
| File:Ashram Exp.jpg | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Service type | Superfast |
| Locale | Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana & Delhi |
| First service | 8 October 1921 in MG, 1 August 1997 in BG |
| Last service | 8 January 1994 in MG |
| Current operator(s) | Western Railways |
| Route | |
| Start | Ahmedabad (ADI) |
| Stops | 20 |
| End | Old Delhi (DLI) |
| Distance travelled | 940 km (584 mi) |
| Average journey time | 15 hours 40 minutes as 02915 15 hours 40 minutes as 02916(previous during MG:- 19 hrs 45 mins as 505 19 hrs 45 mins as 506) |
| Service frequency | Daily |
| Train number(s) | 12915 / 12916 |
| On-board services | |
| Class(es) | AC 1st Class, AC 2 tier, AC 3 tier, Sleeper Class, General Unreserved |
| Seating arrangements | Yes |
| Sleeping arrangements | Yes |
| Catering facilities | Pantry Car On-board catering E-catering |
| Observation facilities | Large windows |
| Technical | |
| Rolling stock | LHB Coaches |
| Track gauge | 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)(previous 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) metre gauge |
| Operating speed | 120 km/h (75 mph) maximum, 60 km/h (37 mph)(previous 47.5 km/h (30 mph) during MG era) |
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 Old Delhi Junction-Ahmedabad Junction Mainline after 501-MG / 502-MG Old Delhi Junction-Jaipur Junction Pink City MG Express.
Coaches
The 12915 / 12916 Ashram Express presently has 1 AC 1st Class, 1 AC 1st Class cum AC 2 tier, 1 AC 2 tier, 4 AC 3 tier, 11 Sleeper Class, 3 General Unreserved coaches & 2 generator cars, 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
The 12915 Ashram Express covers the distance of 940 km (584 mi) in 15 hours 40 mins & 940 km (584 mi) in 15 hours 40 mins as 12916 Ashram Express.
As its average speed in both directions is above 55 km/h (34 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.
Route & Halts
The train is runs from Ahmedabad Junction 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
This route is yet to be fully electrified, it is hauled by a Bhagat Ki Kothi based WDP 4 / WDP 4B / WDP 4D locomotive from Ahmedabad Junction to Old Delhi.
Time-Table
- 12915 Ashram Express leaves Ahmedabad Junction every day at 18:30 hrs IST and reaches Old Delhi at 10:10 hrs IST the next day.
- 12916 Ashram Express leaves Old Delhi every day at 15:20 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
The train sharing its rake with 12461 / 12462 Mandore Express