| Poorva Express | |
| Operator: | Eastern Railways |
| Start: | (HWH) |
| Stops: | 20 |
| End: | (NDLS) |
| Distance: | 1452km (902miles) |
| Journeytime: | 21 hours 45 minutes |
| Frequency: | Tri-weekly. |
| Class: | First AC, AC 2 tier, AC 3 tier, Sleeper Class, General Unreserved |
| Seating: | Yes |
| Sleeping: | Yes |
| Autorack: | Yes |
| Catering: | Available |
| Observation: | Large Windows |
| Baggage: | Available |
| Stock: | LHB coach |
| Trainnumber: | 12381 / 12382 |
| Speed: | 67km/h average including halts |
The 12381 / 12382 Poorva Express is a tri-weekly superfast train belonging to Eastern Railway zone, of Indian Railways that runs between Howrah Junction and New Delhi in India.[1] [2] [3]
Before the introduction of Rajdhani Express in 1969, Indian Railway use to run a series of train called as Deluxe Express. One Deluxe Express use to run between Amristar and Bombay and other between Amritsar and Howrah. Both of these trains were fully air conditioned trains and the passengers were provided elegant services. Later on with the introduction of Howrah Rajdhani Express this train slowly lost its grandeur and popularity. Subsequently, in order to make this train more affordable to passengers, further classes were added in this train, hence relegating it from fully air conditioned train to partial one. And later on with further standardization it was relegated to standard blue ICF coach. But though it lost its grandeur, but its popularity never ceased. Due to its high popularity, a separate service was started from New Delhi to Howrah via Patna on 1 August 1971.
Poorva Express is the first train among the non-Rajdhani/Duronto class to be upgraded to LHB coach. It was upgraded to LHB coach on 30 April 2013.
The 12381 Poorva Express has an average speed of 66.62 km/h with halt and covers 1449 km in 21h 45m. The 12382 Poorva Express has an average speed of 62.2 km/h with halt and covers 1449 km in 23h 20m.
The train has standard LHB rakes with a maximum speed of 130 km/h. The train consists of 22 coaches :
It is hauled by a Howrah Loco Shed based WAP-7 electric locomotive from end to end.
The train shares its rake with Poorva Express (via Patna).
The 12381 Howrah - New Delhi Poorva Express via Gaya, which left from Howrah on 19 April 2019 got derailed at Ruma Railway Station, near Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh. At least 15 people were injured in this accident. As per PRO Kanpur Division, due to the modern LHB coach, something serious didn't happen. Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) of Indian Railways ordered a panel for enquiry in this accident.[4]